Father Ken McGuire, CSP (left), and Father George Fitzgerald, CSP, take a boat ride on Lake George.  ENLARGE PHOTO | START SLIDESHOW

The Student House at St. Mary’s on the Lake, Lake George, NY. ENLARGE PHOTO

It was truly Mary’s day.

The cool winds blowing off the mountains of Lake George, NY, gave respite from the cloudless blue sky of a sun-blessed summer morning as more than 150 people gathered in the standing-room only wooden chapel at St. Mary’s on the Lake, the Paulist retreat house and residence. Visitors and locals joined the Paulist priests and seminarians staying at the lake for St. Mary’s biggest Mass of the year, the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Mass-goers were then invited to a reception in the Priest House on the property to experience the legendary Paulist hospitality. All of the food was made by the Paulists themselves, including Father Ken McGuire, CSP, the director of St. Mary’s for the past 40 years.

The Paulists gather for dinner at St. Mary’s on the Lake, Lake George, NY: Father Jerry Kenny (first seated on left); Father Don Andrie, Father Paul Huesing, Father Tom Stransky; Father Kevin Lynch (first on right); Father John Foley; Father George Fitzgerald; and Father Bill Brimley. ENLARGE PHOTO

“We do this every year,” said Father McGuire, 79, who walks around the points out the various improvements made to the grounds with pride in the beauty the land offers. “I love this place. There is just something special about being here.”

Albany, NY, native Kathleen England has spent most summers of her life on Lake George, and doesn’t miss Mass on the Feast of the Assumption.

“[The Paulists] inspire your confidence in God,” she said. “You just have this sense of spiritual renewal and feel closer to God when you come here.”

The facilities at St. Mary’s boast two large two-story buildings – one called the Student House, one called the Priest house – which feature private guest rooms, shared bath facilities, common rooms and space for individual and group prayer as well other gatherings. The porches of both houses offer a great view of Lake George and the surrounding Adirondack Mountains. A separate building houses a large dining hall and kitchen. A short walk along a path by the Priest House leads to the lake edge and the boat house.

There was standing room only for the Aug. 15 Mass for the Feast of the Assumption at St. Mary’s on the Lake. ENLARGE PHOTO

The Paulists were gifted the 72 densely wooded acres on of Lake George in 1872 by Charles O’Conor, a parishioner of the Church of St. Paul the Apostle in Manhattan, the first Paulist parish founded by Father Isaac Hecker. Mr. O’Conor purchased the land on Lake George as a mountain retreat from the hustle bustle of Manhattan.

A nationally-prominent lawyer, Mr. O’Conor was a Southern sympathizer during the Civil War, served as counsel to Jefferson Davis when the latter was indicted for treason, and was himself nominated for president of the United States in 1872 by the Labor Reform branch of the Democratic Party. Mr. O’Conor was largely responsible for the taking down of the infamous Tweed Ring, a corrupt political movement which controlled the New York City government from 1860-71.

The O’Conor family rarely visited their Lake George property, and the Paulist Fathers began camping there in 1868 at Mr. O’Conor’s invitation. Mr. O’Conor formally deeded all of his lakeside proprty to the Paulists in 1872. The first Paulist house was built on the property in 1875.

The Paulists purchased four small islands on Lake George from the State of New York for $100 in 1871. The islands were named after the first Paulists. Hecker Island, the largest, features a postcard-perfect chapel and is named after Paulist founder Father Isaac T. Hecker. Hewitt Island features a cabin where Paulists many Paulists go for retreat, while Baker and Deshon islands are grassy spots on the lake.

The chapel on Hecker Island on Lake George in upstate New York.  ENLARGE PHOTO

“This is God’s country,” said Paulist seminarian Craig Campbell while on a boat ride to the islands.

Father Hecker himself enjoyed many days at the lake, according to Paulist historian Father Paul Robichaud, and helped found the local Catholic parish. He said there is little doubt that Father Hecker corresponded with family and friends, and worked on his spiritual writings while he was there.

“His last summer on the lake was actually pretty difficult due to the recent death of his brother, George,” said Father Robichaud. Father Hecker’s room, located in what is now the Priest House, still features the original bed, dresser and fixtures, such as clothes hooks.

The view of Lake George and the Adirondack Mountains from the Priest House of St. Mary’s on the Lake.  ENLARGE PHOTO

Today, St. Mary’s on the Lake welcomes Lake George locals and vacationers for daily and Sunday Masses and hosts individual and group retreats during the spring and summer months. The Paulist seminarians spend two weeks at the end of each summer at the lake for some vacation and community-building time, and St. Mary’s remains a favorite place for the Paulists to renew their spirit.

“Our lives are filed with so much noise and demands on our time, and there is just solitude at the lake without radios, televisions or the Internet,” said Father Tom Ryan, CSP, who spends at least a week each year at the cabin on Hewitt Island.

“It is an opportunity to focus on the reason behind all the business and come home to the Center, which is God,” he continued. “It is like this power plant of energy that gives purpose and direction to the rest of the year.