Carrie Estelle Doheny Foundation

St. Mary’s Seminary opened in 1964 as a Novitiate (a segment of the seminary formation program) for the Vincentian Community of the Southern, Midwestern, and Western Provinces. Construction had been funded by the Doheny Foundation. In 1978 the Novitiate Program moved to New Orleans and the facilities began to be used to host retreats. St. Mary’s is set atop the hills of Santa Barbara overlooking the city and out to the ocean. Dormitory accommodations, dining facilities and a number of conference rooms are made available for the groups that go there. Vincent House includes seven private rooms, a living room, chapel, and kitchen. St. Mary’s unique setup has lent itself to be the “perfect spot” for High School Kairos retreats, Engaged Encounter Weekends, and a variety of other programs that go to St. Mary’s on a regular basis. The high schools that go to St. Mary’s have made reservations through the year 2013!

In the spring of 2002, the Carrie Estelle Doheny Foundation contacted St. Mary’s and made known their interest in providing a grant for a prayer and meditation garden in honor of Fr. F. David Pansini, C.M., a long time Director of the Foundation who passed away in December, 2001, together with his friend Fr. James McOwen, C.M., who passed away in 2002. Fr. McOwen was a former director and long time resident of St. Mary’s. Father Pansini was an educator, a gardener and a lover of the outdoors. The garden was completed in September of 2002 and dedicated in October. Today the guests of St. Mary’s are able to enjoy this beautiful new garden, complete with a three level pond with running water. The combination of Santa Barbara’s blue skies and ocean, the greens of the new lawn and surrounding hills, the gentle sound of water, and the colorful planting, makes a natural environment for relaxation, prayer, and meditation.