St. John Paul II Retreat House to open in nation’s capital

A retreat house inspired by the life and ministry of St. John Paul II is set to open its doors next to the St. John Paul II National Shrine in Washington, D.C.

Inspired by the retreats of Father Karol Wojtyła — later Pope John Paul II — the St. John Paul II Retreat House will offer Catholic group retreats in a prayerful setting.

The house, which is a pastoral initiative of the Knights of Columbus , will be unveiled and blessed on Aug. 26. The event will include Mass and a blessing by Archbishop William E. Lori of Baltimore, supreme chaplain of the Knights of Columbus.

The St. John Paul II Retreat House will open in Washington, D.C., next door to the St. John Paul II Shrine. | Credit: Photo courtesy of St. John Paul II National Shrine

“Pope John Paul II’s deep spiritual life was the engine which drove everything else he did,” Stephen White, executive director of the St. John Paul II Shrine, said in a press release.

“Through prayer, he allowed God to make him a saint. The Retreat House is a way to invite guests to enter more deeply into the vocation we all share — answering God’s call to become saints,” White said.

As a young priest, then-Wojtyła led wilderness…