In 1947, 74 years ago today, the members of the Passionist Congregation walked onto this “Holy Ground” as owners for the first time! January 3rd, the feast of The Holy Name of Jesus.  It was an auspicious day, that is for sure—the reason behind the name, Holy Name Passionist Retreat Center. ”The Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus is historically associated with the Feast of the Circumcision of Jesus. According to Jewish law, on the 8th day after his birth, a male child was circumcised and received his name, thus becoming a full member of God’s covenant people. The name ”Jesus” means ”God Saves” and is the name that St. Joseph was instructed by an angel to name the Divine Child, the sacred name before which “every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Phil. 2:10-11). Devotion to the Holy Name of Jesus was popularized by St. Bernardine of Siena in the 15th century, often symbolized by the monogram IHS (denoting the first three letters of the Greek spelling of Jesus’ name). The feast of the Holy Name of Jesus is celebrated on January 3rd.” (Catholic Company-Morning offering) What better way to welcome a new Center than to have it be a celebration, a joyous focus on the Holy Name of Jesus. What a better way to welcome a new year than to have it be a joyous focus on the Holy Name of Jesus! 2021. A year we are all looking for relief from the endless frustration and aches of 2020. I feel the excitement of a New Year in a way that I have not in so many years. I am eager for change. I am eager to look forward…