Sierra Madre Retreat Center Rises from Eaton Fire Ashes

Mater Dolorosa Passionist Retreat Center celebrates rebirth after 2025 wildfire devastation

Apr. 4, 2026 at 4:56pm

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The Mater Dolorosa Passionist Retreat Center in Sierra Madre, California, which was nearly consumed by the Eaton fire in January 2025, has made a remarkable comeback, hosting over 2,000 visitors for Good Friday services this year. The retreat center, a place of quiet contemplation for generations, experienced significant damage but was ultimately spared from total destruction. As the faithful walked the Stations of the Cross amid the retreat's lush grounds, the center's gradual rebirth was seen as a symbol of hope and renewal.

Why it matters

The Mater Dolorosa Passionist Retreat Center holds deep spiritual significance for the local community and beyond, serving as a place of quiet reflection in the midst of the bustling Los Angeles region. Its near-destruction by the Eaton fire raised concerns about the future of this historic institution, but its resilience and resurgence in the face of adversity underscores the enduring power of faith and community.

The details

When the Eaton fire threatened the retreat center in January 2025, the staff and guests scrambled to evacuate as flames approached the property. While the hermitage, employee apartments, and garage were destroyed, the main retreat center building was miraculously spared, with firefighters arriving in time to save it. Now, 15 months later, the retreat center has undergone repairs and renovations, though the director notes that the recovery process has been longer and more costly than anticipated.

  • The Eaton fire raged through the area on January 7, 2025, threatening the retreat center.
  • The retreat center reopened and hosted over 2,000 visitors for Good Friday services on April 3, 2026.

The players

Mater Dolorosa Passionist Retreat Center

A 100-year-old retreat center in Sierra Madre, California, that hosts spiritual programs and provides a place of quiet contemplation.

Rev. Dr. Febin Barose

The CEO and director of the Mater Dolorosa Passionist Retreat Center, who welcomed visitors and spoke about the center's miraculous survival during the Eaton fire.

Will Cosso

A frequent visitor to the retreat center who compared the cycle of life to the changing seasons, finding the Stations of the Cross walk particularly powerful in the retreat's bucolic setting.

Gladys Maddin

A Pasadena resident who visits the retreat center every year to walk the Stations of the Cross on Good Friday, appreciating the tranquility and significance of the place despite the fire damage.

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What they’re saying

“God wants this place to be here, safe from the fire. He put his arms around the building protecting it. What are the chances? The hills were on fire six feet away from the retreat center building and it did not burn.”

— Rev. Dr. Febin Barose, CEO and Center Director

“I like it because it's outside. It makes it more real — the tranquility, the peace. I find that it's a special place because the fire did hit it but it didn't destroy the significance of this place. I'm happy it was saved, because people come from all over to be here.”

— Gladys Maddin

“Part of the beauty of the human experience is seasonality. They're kind of natural periods of birth and growth, maturity and dying and death.”

— Will Cosso

What’s next

The retreat center still has several ongoing construction projects, including completing the administrative offices, rebuilding the garage, and creating a new entrance, as it continues its recovery from the Eaton fire. The director notes that the costs of these repairs have exceeded the insurance payout, presenting ongoing challenges.

The takeaway

The Mater Dolorosa Passionist Retreat Center's remarkable comeback after the Eaton fire has become a symbol of resilience and renewal for the local community. Despite the setbacks and financial hurdles, the center's ability to host over 2,000 visitors for Good Friday services demonstrates the enduring power of faith and the human spirit to overcome adversity.