The town of White Post is about 70 miles west of Arlington
and sits between Winchester and Front Royal in the
picturesque Shenandoah Valley. Its relative isolation makes
it the perfect site for a place of reflection, prayer and
meditation.
The San Damiano Spiritual Life Center in White Post
officially opens its doors Jan. 15, but groups are getting
previews of the former Franciscan novitiate.
The Arlington Diocese purchased the building and surrounding
land from the Third Order Regular of St. Francis’ Sacred
Heart of Jesus Province in 2006 using funds from the Rooted
in Faith – Forward in Hope capital campaign. After years of
renovation and construction on the 1960s-era building, the
center will soon begin a full calendar of retreats and
spiritual activities.
The center sits on 150 acres and has 31 guest rooms, a
chapel, numerous meeting rooms, a kitchen and dining room.
The name “San Damiano” was chosen to remind visitors of the
site’s Franciscan background. Tradition says that St. Francis
of Assisi was praying at San Damiano Church near Assisi,
Italy, when Christ spoke to him from the cross saying,
“Francis, repair my Church.” At first Francis thought He
meant the rundown building he was praying in, but soon
realized He meant the whole Church, the Mystical Body of
Christ. St. Francis created the Franciscan Order to fulfill
Christ’s wishes.
Third Order Regular of St. Francis Father Sam Vaccarella is
executive director of the center and John Campbell is the
administrative director. Campbell is responsible for the
day-to-day operations. The former youth minister at St.
Bernadette Church in Springfield, Campbell said he’s ready to
welcome retreatants. He said the pace was hectic in the last
few weeks with furniture deliveries coming and small “punch
list” items needing attention. On Christmas Eve, Campbell had
contractors putting up ceiling tiles and painting, plus a
crew cleaning in preparation for the first guests.
Campbell said that his 2010 calendar is starting to fill up
and that he even has an event booked for 2011.
“We’re happy to give the diocese a retreat center that will
provide the right environment for every retreat experience,”
he said.
The Arlington diocesan Office of Vocations was the first
group to hold a retreat at the center. Father Brian Bashista,
vocations director, said that he usually holds seminarian
retreats at various venues in the area, but he likes the idea
of a diocesan center. He was pleased with the services
provided.
Campbell said he and volunteers were loading soap in restroom
dispensers prior to their Sunday opening session. The hard
work paid off with seminarians satisfied with the outcome.
But Campbell said there was one minor issue.
“One seminarian asked: ‘Do you have any real spoons yet?'”
They didn’t, so he had to rely on plastic spoons.
Seminarians were quick to praise the retreat center. Luis
León, in his fourth year of theology at Mount St.
Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Md., said the beautiful
environment is very helpful to meditation.
“People fear silence. Silence is the way to meet God,” said
León
Mount St. Mary’s Seminary first-year pre-theology student
Dort Bigg also liked the reflective nature of the White Post
location.
“It’s really a beautiful place – quiet,” he said.
The Youth Apostles Institute will hold the next pre-opening
retreat at the center. They’ll be the last group to meet
before the official opening.
Real spoons will be available.
