I walked down a flight of stone stairs, and before me stood a miniature oceanfront chapel (right), complete with an altar looking out upon a breathtaking view(above). The invigorating ocean air, paired with the marvelous arts-and-crafts style retreat house, scenic gardens, and waterfront view on all sides reminded me of God’s endless goodness, and that there is peace in Christ.
Known as Enders Island, this picturesque 11-acre island in Mystic, CT is home to St. Edmund’s Retreat, an organization offering various retreat experiences, including opportunities for silence and recollection as well as bereavement programs.
Before further describing this exquisite place for a soul-seeking excursion, I must address the pressing question: How did the Church acquire an entire island to use for retreats?
In 1910, the island was bought from the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent DePaul by Thomas B. Enders, a surgeon from Hartford, Connecticut. He began major development of the island, including a bridge connecting the island to nearby Masons Island. Dr. Enders married Alys VanGilder in 1925 and bequeathed the island to her in 1932, 11 years before his death. In 1953, as Alys herself neared death, she began to search for a suitable recipient of the gift of the island estate, wishing for it to be well-maintained; she believed this goal would be met most advantageously by a religious organization. The Episcopal Diocese wouldn’t accept her offer without more funding for the island’s development, a counter-offer Mrs. Enders rejected. She then drew upon her Catholic upbringing and proposed an offer to the Archdiocese of Hartford, which led to an arrangement for the Society of St. Edmund to take up the island under the Diocese of Norwich. Mrs. Enders died within a month of receiving the letter in acceptance of her gift, knowing that her magnificent seaside estate would be preserved.
First used as the novitiate for the Society of St. Edmund, the island is now home to many ministries. One such ministry is the Sacred Art Institute, which hosts courses in “Iconography, Manuscript Illumination, Calligraphy, Stained Glass, Mosaics, Oil Painting, Watercolors, Gregorian Chant & even Bagpiping” as listed on the Enders Island official website. Another of the island’s spiritual amenities is the Recovery Ministry, providing weekly meetings and weekend retreats to support our brothers and sisters recovering from addiction. A Recovery Residence is also contained on the island for as many as 12 men of college age who are committed to supporting each other in post-rehabilitation sobriety.
The island is open to the public, and I had the opportunity to visit in the summer of 2020 as a needed escape from the COVID-19 pandemic. My favorite spot was the Chapel of Our Lady of the Assumption (left), where St. Edmund of Canterbury’s incorruptible arm is on display.
My joy in visiting the island came simply from wandering around and finding all of its hidden gems. One particular delight awaits the visitor on a side wall of the Chapel of Our Lady of the Assumption. A weathered statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary stands on a stone pedestal, symbolizing Our Blessed Mother’s strength and endurance against every temptation and sin as a model for us all and a guide in following her Son.
Enders Island is a place to retreat and experience God’s love in the broad power of the ocean waves or in the quiet beauty of flowers and stones.
More information can be found on the website of Enders Island.
Thomas is a student in BC’s Carroll School of Management, who fittingly serves as the current Business Manager of The Torch in addition to his position as Campus News Editor. Thomas can be found around campus singing at Masses with the Liturgy Arts Group, tabling for the BC Pro-Life Club, deep in conversation while enjoying BC Dining cuisine, or gazing in awe at Gasson Hall and its Collegiate Gothic style architectural neighbors.
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