HISTORY
The Manresan clubs of Saint Louis have a long and illustrious history born out of laymen's desire to experience the benefits of Ignatian Spirituality on a basis more frequent than that of an annual Jesuit-led retreat. The movement continues today, offering men and women an opportunity to share their faith and experiences of Ignatian Spirituality with others. The mission of the Manresan Society is to provide a monthly renewal for White House retreatants under the guidance of Jesuits.
White House retreats and Manresans share common origins established over 80 years ago. Both reinforce and reflect upon the vision of St. Ignatius Loyola. During World War I, a group of laymen making annual retreats began meeting monthly to share their faith dialogue. The first group of 12, formed in 1921 and known as Loyola, became the first Manresan Club in the United States. In 1921, a second group formed and called themselves Francis Xavier. Thus, the Manresan Society was born.
TODAY
There are a number of groups regularly meeting around the St. Louis area. We invite you to stop by any of the meetings listed below and experience the Manresan Society for yourself. For information about a particular meeting, please feel free to contact the group leader directly.
CURRENT MANRESAN GROUPS
First Friday Club
Leader: Pete Benoist pete.benoist@gmail.com
Moderator: N/A
Meet on: 1st Friday
Meet at: Following 8am Mass
Location: DeSmet Jesuit High School (Chapel/Conference Room)
Journeyers (Women's Group)
Leader: Gay Noonan gay@noonanstl.com
Moderator: NA
Meet on: 3rd Monday
Meet at: 1:00 PM
Location: Ste. Genevieve du Bois Rectory Meeting Room
Our Lady of Lourdes Manresan Club
(MORNING) (WOMEN'S GROUP)
Leader: Mary Burke hapandmaryburke@sbcglobal.net
Moderator: Fr. Robert O'Toole, S.J.
Meet on: 3rd Friday
Meet at: 7:00 AM
Location: Our Lady of Lourdes (U City) Parish Center (right across from the church on southwest corner of Forsyth and Ashbury)
St. Louis U High Alumni Manresan Club
Leader: Halpin (Hap) Burke hapandmaryburke@sbcglobal.net
Moderator: Fr. Frank Reale, SJ
Meet on: 3rd Friday
Meet at: 7:15 AM with optional Mass at 6:45 AM
Location: St. Louis U High second floor conference room in the north wing with Mass in the chapel adjacent. Please park in the St. Louis Science Center parking lot.
The Fr. Weiss Group
Leader: Mike Grojean michaelgrojean@gmail.com Clark Morrison clarkmorrison836@gmail.com
Moderator: N/A
Meet on: 3rd Tuesday
Meet at: 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Location: Currently meeting on Zoom
Our Lady of Lourdes Manresan Club
(MORNING) (MEN'S GROUP)
Leader: Skip Dulle oad@dulleco.com
Moderator:
Meet on: 2nd Friday
Meet at: 7:30 AM – 8:30 AM
Location: Our Lady of Lourdes (U City) New Parish Center (located on the parish grounds)
Sts. John, Paul & James Manresan Group
Leader: Don Holdener dojoholdener@hotmail.com
Moderator: Fr. Robert Hagan, SJ
Meet on: 2nd Thursday of each month
Meet at: 1 PM via Zoom
Location: N/A, Zoom only
If you are a member of a Manresan group and the information for your meeting needs to be updated, please contact Joe Parisi at joep@whretreat.org .
For information on starting your own Manresan Group CLICK HERE.