The Society of the Divine Word (SVD) has sold its Miramar property in Duxbury, Mass. The property consists of 30 acres and three buildings. The SVDs purchased this land from the Belknap family in 1945 as a residence for returning missionaries and with the intention of providing retreat ministry and spiritual renewal among people in the local area.

In 1983, construction began on Miramar Retreat Center and was completed and dedicated in 1986. For nearly 40 years, Miramar Retreat Center has been a treasured place where many people from near and far have journeyed for spiritual renewal and sustenance. Under the management of the Society of the Divine Word, the retreat center served a wide variety of organizations, welcoming more than 6,000 annual visitors before the Covid pandemic. Due to rising costs and fewer available missionaries for such ministry, the retreat center closed in 2022. The Miramar property has been sold to a local developer.

Since the SVDs arrived in Miramar 80 years ago, a long list of devoted Divine Word Missionaries have wholeheartedly contributed to retreat ministry, spiritual direction, prayer and worship at Miramar, collaborated with the Archdiocese of Boston and served as cherished members of the wider Duxbury community. The Society of the Divine Word is forever grateful for the dedicated ministry of the numerous SVD missionaries, religious and lay staff at Miramar Retreat Center who have touched so many lives through God’s grace.

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