Name of Church Mater Dolorosa Passionist Retreat Center
Address 700 N. Sunnyside Avenue, Sierra Madre CA 91024-1023
Phone number 626-355-7188
Website www.materdolorosa.org
Mass times There is a Mass for the general public on Tuesdays at 8:30 am (except major holidays)
Names of priests/homilies The facility is staffed by four Passionist priests and one Passionist brother. Father Febin Barose is retreat center director.
Special activities The center offers a wide range of retreats, such as those for men, for women, for married couples, for young adults, for the Passionist community and for those recovering from addiction. About 12,000 visit the center annually.
Parking There are multiple lots on the site.
Additional observations The Mater Dolorosa Retreat Center opened in 1924. It has 83 acres, backs up to the Angeles National Forest and is open not only for retreats but for the public to visit and pray Monday – Friday, 9 am to 5 pm. (Make a reservation to visit, call the number above, ext. 107.) The grounds had been well maintained, however, the site was severely burned by the January 2025 Eaton fire. While the main retreat building survived, the hermitage, garage and employee apartments burned down. There was significant damage to the surviving buildings, including water damage from fire crews that worked to save the buildings. The beautiful landscaping was severely damaged. The center reopened to retreats on February 7, and to the general public a month later on Ash Wednesday, March 5. Staff and volunteers have been working feverishly to repair the site and remove debris; it will take a few years to restore the site completely. There is a bookstore and gift shop on the site with religious items. Outdoor features include Stations of the Cross , on Good Fridays 3,000 come to do the outdoor stations) and Memorial Gardens. Deer often stroll the grounds. Here is an overview of the center and images of how the site looked before the fires. Here is a news story on the fire damage to the site.