A Place Set Apart for
Encounter, Formation, and Mission.
About the Center
The St. Brendan Center is located on Beulah Road in Pensacola, at the old site of the Miracle Camp formerly run by Ascension-Sacred Heart Hospital. The Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee finalized purchase of the property in 2023, and it now operates as a retreat center serving the Diocese’s parishes, ministry groups, and others in the local area.
St. Brendan features walking trails for reflection, a small indoor chapel, and outdoor chapel, a pavilion, dining hall, and activities building that can be used for breakout sessions or small discussions. We also have two rooms set aside for confession or spiritual direction, as well as a small guest house.
The Center is available for rent during the weekday and for weekend retreats. Weekend retreats can be customized to suit the needs of the groups.
Grounded in Salvation History
We present the message of salvation history, rooting each person’s individual story in the deep narrative of the scriptures
Enflame a love of God
We help people to re-discover God’s love
for them
Encourage the reception
of the sacraments
Retreats featuring confession and Mass
Share the Church’s vision
Following Saint Paul VI and St. John Paul II, we lead people through encoutner and formation to understand their role as disciples
Form Catholics in a rich spirituality
We open the richess of the spiritual life to move people beyond saying prayers into a life of prayer.
Our Executive Director
Luke Arredondo, PhD is the founding Executive Director of the St. Brendan Center for Evangelization and Spirituality. Luke earned his PhD in Religious Ethics at Florida State University and a M.A. in Theological Studies at Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans, LA.
Prior to serving at St. Brendan, Luke was the Director of Faith Formation for the St. Philip Institute of Catechesis and Evangelization in the Diocese of Tyler, TX.
Luke lives with his wife, Elena, and their five children in Pensacola. They are devotees of St. John Paul II, St. Therese, St. Faustina, Fulton Sheen, and (sometimes unfortunately) the New Orleans Saints.
Get in touch today
If you’re interested in hosting a retreat at St. Brendan or just want to know more about what we offer, leave us a note and we will reach out to you to discuss.