History of San Lorenzo Seminary
San Lorenzo Seminary has a rich history, over the past 50 years. In 1960, Lawrence ''Bud'' Hourihan donated 28 acres and "seed" money to the Capuchin Franciscans for the establishment of a Capuchin Franciscan Seminary, which was founded in 1962 on the current site. Since then, the site has provided a spiritual, prayerful sanctuary for countless men and women, both religious and lay.
The Hourihan family came to the Santa Ynez Valley in the early 1900s, and was known for their active participation in the growing Catholic community in the Valley since that time. The family roots have been entwined with the Old Mission Santa Inés for two centuries - from the establishment of Old Mission Santa Inés by Fr. Estevan Tapis in 1804 to the building of the Capuchin Seminary - San Lorenzo of Brindisi in 1962, and beyond. When Margaret Patricia Katherine Hourihan, better known as Kathleen, died on February 4, 2006, the long line of the Hill-Hourihan family came to an end. The Hourihan story focuses on one American family's commitment to their Catholic faith for over 200 years.*
Father Peter was the guardian of the Seminary in 1983 when he was approached by members of an Alcoholics Anonymous group who were searching for a place where they could offer AA retreats. This began a successful 25+ year era of retreats, which continued through April 2011, when the site became a Novitiate for the North American Pacific Capuchin Conference.
During the retreat years, people from AA, Al-Anon, high schools, men's groups, women's groups, and religious groups all found healing, prayer, introspection and peace at San Lorenzo. It is for this reason that the Foundation was established - so that the special place called "San Lorenzo Seminary" will always remain a place of peace for those who seek spiritual sustenance.
The Hourihan family came to the Santa Ynez Valley in the early 1900s, and was known for their active participation in the growing Catholic community in the Valley since that time. The family roots have been entwined with the Old Mission Santa Inés for two centuries - from the establishment of Old Mission Santa Inés by Fr. Estevan Tapis in 1804 to the building of the Capuchin Seminary - San Lorenzo of Brindisi in 1962, and beyond. When Margaret Patricia Katherine Hourihan, better known as Kathleen, died on February 4, 2006, the long line of the Hill-Hourihan family came to an end. The Hourihan story focuses on one American family's commitment to their Catholic faith for over 200 years.*
Father Peter was the guardian of the Seminary in 1983 when he was approached by members of an Alcoholics Anonymous group who were searching for a place where they could offer AA retreats. This began a successful 25+ year era of retreats, which continued through April 2011, when the site became a Novitiate for the North American Pacific Capuchin Conference.
During the retreat years, people from AA, Al-Anon, high schools, men's groups, women's groups, and religious groups all found healing, prayer, introspection and peace at San Lorenzo. It is for this reason that the Foundation was established - so that the special place called "San Lorenzo Seminary" will always remain a place of peace for those who seek spiritual sustenance.
*Portions of the above narrative have been adapted from an original work by Dorothy S. Macchio "The Hourihan Family, Generations of Faith."
