St. Mary Magdalene Retreat House

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St. Mary Magdalene Retreat House

On May 2nd March 1989, Maurice Cardinal Otunga with the support of Fr. Santoro Ottavio, IMC secured a piece of land where the Resurrection Garden stands, and Mlango wa Mbingu was constructed in that Garden.

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St. Mary Magdalene Retreat House

His Eminence Maurice Cardinal Otunga approached the Dimesse Sisters in Kenya with a request to collaborate with the Archdiocese of Nairobi in running the House

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Retreats and Conferences

St. Mary Magdalene Retreat Centre offers facilities for retreats, seminars, workshops, team-building activities, and conferences.

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The Conception of St. Mary Magdalene Retreat House

The origins of St. Mary Magdalene Retreat House are intertwined with the history of Resurrection Garden, envisioned by Servant of God Maurice Michael Cardinal Otunga in 1984. His initial idea was to construct "The Way of the Cross" at the Holy Family Minor Basilica in Nairobi. However, space limitations led him to search for a larger location.

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Key Milestones

Acquiring Resurrection Garden Land

On May 2, 1989, Cardinal Otunga, with the support of Fr. Santoro Ottavio, IMC, secured the land where Resurrection Garden now stands.
The iconic Mlango wa Mbingu (Gateway to Heaven) was constructed in the Garden.

Establishing St. Mary Magdalene Retreat House

By 1992, the need to provide accommodation and meals to pilgrims visiting Mlango wa Mbingu for prayers became apparent.
Construction of the Retreat House and five cottages commenced to meet this need.
In 1995, the Retreat House was completed and ready for occupancy.

Collaboration with the Dimesse Sisters

In 1996, Maurice Cardinal Otunga invited the Dimesse Sisters to collaborate in managing the Retreat House, aligning with their charism of being “open to the needs of the Church.”

On February 17, 1996, an agreement was signed between the Archdiocese of Nairobi and the Dimesse Sisters.
The Dimesse Sisters assumed responsibility for the Resurrection Garden Retreat Centre, including the Main House and the Five Cottages, as part of their missionary apostolate.