Since the early days of his priesthood, Father John McAnulty, S.J. (1921-2009) dreamed of establishing a place where a priest could come at any time, day or night, for the Sacrament of Reconciliation, spiritual direction, or just to rest. In 1975, upon the completion of his term as Provincial for Formation, he was given permission by his provincial, Father Richard Vaughan, S.J., to open such a house anywhere in the province.

Father John McAnulty, SJ was the Spiritual Director at the House of Prayer for Priests from 1976-2006.

Monsignor Connolly, in order to understand the beginnings of the House of Prayer, it is important to understand Father McAnulty. Would you share your impressions of Father John?

As a young priest John was influenced by a former Jesuit, Edward Boyd Barrett, and his work with inactive priests. That influence prompted John’s great care for priests and the spiritual life of priests. After his ordination John would visit those who were separated from the priesthood, encourage them to stay in touch with the Church and help them to get laicization; a difficult process in those days.

John’s charism was not preaching. He wasn’t a dynamic speaker nor was he a great story teller. What he had was a profound spirituality, which was very transparent. Through the Ignatian exercises he was formed and inspired to lead others into a deep spiritual life.

Since Cardinal Manning was head of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles at that time, Father McAnulty needed his permission to initiate this ministry. Could you describe the part Cardinal Manning played in the establishment of the House of Prayer?

The Cardinal was a spiritual man, a man of prayer, a contemplative spirit. He was familiar with the Exercises. He already knew, admired and respected John as a spiritual mentor. Therefore the possibility of bringing John McAnulty to Los Angeles appealed to him. The Cardinal was enthusiastic about the idea of a House of Prayer and strongly encouraged John. A small group of priests whom John consulted were extremely in favor of the idea.

Why do you think Father McAnulty chose Los Angeles rather than San Francisco where he had previously served?

In 1975 John gave a three week retreat to the priests of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles in Camarillo. That introduced him to very large presbyterate. He had the support and friendship of the Cardinal who had invited him to give the retreat. John was from Los Angeles. His elderly mother lived in Los Angeles and his sister resided in Southern California. This was his home and I imagine he was drawn back to his hometown.

Father McAnulty wanted to locate the House of Prayer in an area close to downtown Los Angeles. How did he come to choose the gatehouse on the grounds of Sir Daniel Donohue’s former residence on Waverly Drive?

One day, following an appointment with the Cardinal, John had lunch at the Chancery Office. I sat with him and he commented that he had been searching without any success for an appropriate place for the House of Prayer. I suggested that he try the Immaculate Heart Sisters in the Los Feliz area. In a stroke of divine providence they offered him the gatehouse. Their hospitality was gracious and generous.

Would you describe the House of Prayer in those first years? The original gatehouse was rather small, wasn’t it? What kind of staff or help did he have?

In the original gatehouse there were four guest rooms. In addition the sisters offered two rooms in their main house and one additional room in the tower. The daily upkeep of the gatehouse became John’s responsibility. He would make the beds, clean the place and generally keep it in good order. A cleaning lady would come in for about two hours a week. Meals were provided by the sisters for a modest stipend.

Since the Archdiocese didn’t offer any financial assistance, how did Fr. McAnulty maintain the House of Prayer?

Soon after it opened it became a busy center for priests to visit. For a short time it was largely financed by the priests who would offer a stipend.

Msgr. Lloyd Torgerson and I had become close friends with John. On one occasion we inquired of him about the budget for operating the House of Prayer. My recollection is that he told us it cost about a thousand dollars a month in addition to the stipends. We decided to quietly raise some money to help him. Through support from a number of pastors and some close friends we raised $16,000. One day we took him to lunch at Michael’s on Los Feliz and gave him the funds which would be sufficient to maintain the House of Prayer for a year. In 1977 Fr. Terrance Mahon, the Jesuit Provincial, began sending a monthly check of $250 which continued until the Archdiocese eventually took ownership and responsibility.

The House of Prayer opened in 1976. How did Cardinal Manning feel about the House of Prayer?

Shortly after its beginnings Cardinal Manning became a faithful participant in the House of Prayer. He depended greatly on John for spiritual direction. On one occasion he shared with me that he hoped he would predecease McAnulty because if John should die before him he had no idea where he would go for spiritual direction.

How significant was Cardinal Manning’s support of the House of Prayer for priests? Do you remember how the priests of the Archdiocese responded to it? Did they make use of it?

Manning was very admired by the priests. He was a “priests” bishop. He grew up with these men: the elders were his contemporaries and many of the young priests he ordained himself since he had been a bishop since 1946. His outspoken support for the House of Prayer was highly significant.

Without question the prayer and the heart of John McAnulty were the genesis and sustenance of the House of Prayer. John’s exceptional generosity in being available, his native kindness and his mystical spirit blessed a multitude of priests. It was an open house. There was a constant presence of priests for 8 day retreats, and in the month of July John directed the 30 days of Ignatian exercises.

John’s overwhelming impact in the spiritual life of our presbyterate is difficult to overestimate and ultimately is understood and recorded only in the Book of Life.

Monsignor Clement Connolly was ordained a priest in Ireland in 1964. Four years later, he was appointed secretary to Cardinal James Francis McIntyre. Then, in 1970, he became secretary to Cardinal Timothy Manning, whom he served until the Cardinal retired in 1985. Monsignor currently serves as pastor emeritus of Holy Family Parish in South Pasadena.