(Photo Courtesy of Mount Irenaeus, Franciscan Mountain Community)
Mount Irenaeus, the rural retreat center that inspired hundreds of St. Bonaventure University students, staff and others, lost its guiding light this summer.
Father Dan Riley, OFM, Mount Irenaeus founder, died at age 81 in July. The friar left a legacy on 200-plus acres in rural Allegany County, 20 miles from campus. The center evolved into a spiritual recharging and environmental-consciousness-raising site for those who came to walk its paths, reflect on Franciscan spirituality, work its gardens, and forge a Christian community welcoming all. The Mount has long featured a live-in community which works the grounds and assists in preparation and support for retreats that take place throughout the academic year.
Fr. Dan was a 1964 graduate of St. Bonaventure and a friar for 58 years. Nearly all of his ministry was devoted to the students and staff at St. Bonaventure.
“In my two years at St. Bonaventure, I have been overwhelmed with so many stories about the impact that Fr. Dan had on so many students and members of our community. His boundless passion for life, his ability to see the good in everything, was something I’ll always admire,” said Dr. Jeff Gingerich, university president.
In 2023, Fr. Dan was honored by the university with an honorary doctorate.
Mike Fenn, executive director of Mount Irenaeus and 1991 graduate of St. Bonaventure, described Fr. Dan’s impact on the student newspaper.
“I know there are hundreds, maybe thousands of alums out there with a similar story,” Fenn said. “I showed up on this campus as a freshman, and there was Fr. Dan, greeting me with a huge smile and a warm welcome. And he never let go. Through the ups and downs of being a college student, a spouse, a parent, every stage of my life, he was there supporting me. And I know I’m not alone. How blessed we all are to have known him.”
In the early 1970s, Fr. Dan brought students to retreats to an old farmhouse and former rectory building. Those retreats later grew into what became Mount Irenaeus. Dedicated to furthering the mission of contemplation and reflection, an advisory board made up of campus and civic leaders was formed in 1981.
In 1984, the board purchased the current Mount Irenaeus property. Later the board oversaw the building of a chapel and the Mountain’s House of Peace in 1995.
Fenn noted that Fr. Dan made sure to keep the center going, as he regularly tapped leaders emerging from the St. Bonaventure community.
One recent Zoom prayer service sponsored by the Mount was led by young adults in their late 20s and early 30s, all of whom were trained by Fr. Dan. More than 70 participated.
“It was a beautiful night. It’s an example of how Fr. Dan passed on his charism,” said Fenn.
Mount leadership has a three-pronged plan for the future, he said.
First, regular programs will continue for St. Bonaventure students. This past year, more than 600 participated throughout the summer and fall. The Mount will continue to sponsor get-togethers in homes, which feature social gatherings as well as spiritual reading. Last year, the focus was on the Franciscan spirituality of “Built With Living Stones.”
Finally, said Fenn, the Mount will extend its outreach to the friars of the Our Lady of Guadalupe Province, including the construction of more hermitages for extended periods of contemplation.
A vision statement published on the Mount Irenaeus website reflects the vision of Fr. Dan:
“We wanted a place, but more than that, a community founded in the spirit of prayer and hospitality. After years of consideration and gaining friends to proceed, we found this secluded and wooded hilltop we now call Mt. Irenaeus, the Mountain. We believe that we are in the tradition of all other holy places that help persons recognize the holiness of their own lives and indeed the holiness of the world that has come forth from a loving God. We have established this place and community in the Franciscan tradition of love for the Incarnation, wishing to offer prayerful hospitality to others according to the Gospel of Jesus Christ …
Silence and the simple activity of keeping a home, working and living on the land with Its creatures is instructive in itself. The rest of creation is both companion and mentor to us. We find our contemplative life enriched by word and sacrament, as well as by community and solitude, by time in the woods, conversation and restful quiet …
We firmly trust in the goodness of humanity and we relish the ancient words of St. Irenaeus ‘that the glory of God indeed is a human person or ‘humankind’ fully alive!’ We believe that all of creation is called to its fullness in Jesus Christ. We, therefore, pursue a common journey with others, believing ‘that perfect love casts out all fear’ and leads us all on our journey into God’s reign of light, ‘of justice, love and peace.’”
More information on the Mount Irenaeus community is available at www.mountainonline.org or via this video: https://mountainonline.org/slice-of-life/
