Staten Island, New York Historical Summary

House of Prayer with Limited Apostolate (Staten Island, New York)

In 1971, Provincial Flavian Dougherty gave Fathers Jerome Bracken, Thomas Brislin, Paul Vaeth, and Brother André Mathieu permission to set up an experimental religious community to balance prayer life and the apostolate. In 1972, the House of Prayer with Limited Apostolate (HOPLA) was begun on 161 Beach Street, Staten Island, New York. When home they met for the Liturgy of the Eucharist, morning and evening prayer, recreation, study, and community meetings. Other Passionists joined the experiment. Visitors were welcomed. In 1978 the five remaining Passionists concluded the experiment.