By José Alfredo Guerrero

Juan de Jesús Jiménez is the Jesuit priest who has spent seven years keeping Manresa Loyola and Manresa Altagracia up and running — two well-known facilities dedicated to spiritual formation activities that reaffirm the existence of an invisible hand connecting the generosity of so many good Dominicans.

To visit the retreat houses, I invited two engineer cousins, Alexandra Oviedo and Manuel Suárez, whose expertise made them ideal counterparts for the renaissance priest who walked us through the ongoing and planned works that, as donations are received, will gradually restore full functionality to both sites.

At Manresa Loyola, I was surprised not to find a large sign at the entrance reading:

“This Property Is Not for Sale”

The facility is located on the road leading to the country’s busiest commercial port and has become surrounded by large shipping and import companies that are struggling to find space to expand.

The Master Plan for maintenance and renovation work was developed by a volunteer architect and friend, the priest explains — one who is actively involved in every detail of the project.

The goal is to preserve the original entrance to Manresa, with its tree-lined path and gardens that invite spiritual reflection.

The main chapel has been prioritized through the donations received. Individual seats have been restored and work continues. A second chapel and two meeting halls are already finished and available for the resumption of in-person retreats.

Retreats represent the primary source of income, and the facilities are in high demand.

“Funds for renovation investments and projects come from donations and soft loans.”

The rooms are among the top renovation priorities. Each retreat house has sixty rooms in need of refurbishment. Electrical systems and bathrooms represent some of the highest-cost components due to the age of the structures.

Support from government authorities is also being sought for key improvements such as paving and new access roads. The relaunch of Helados Manresa could become another significant opportunity for the project’s growth and long-term sustainability.

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How to Contribute

• Account Holder: Fundación Manresa
• Tax ID (RNC): 430-06184-2
• Bank: BHD León
• Checking Account (DOP): 1568305-002-6
• Savings Account (USD): 15683050034

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Father Juan de Jesús Jiménez is grateful for any outreach, support, and collaboration to continue advancing the spiritual growth and retreat ministry of Manresa Loyola and Manresa Altagracia.

Article by José Alfredo Guerrero