I don't have my copy of the history of the Order handy, but as I recall the finding of that house goes something like this. The Order decided to found a house out West in the 1940's. A brother was dispatched to scout properties. He searched in the Santa Barbara area but didn't find anything suitable. He went to a local barber to get his hair cut, and in the ensuing small talk with the barber described his search for a house suitable to become a monastery. Another patron overheard and told the monk that he was selling his house and it might work perfectly for the brothers. It was a Spanish-Style home with a central courtyard and a beautiful view of the coast. Sure enough, the place was perfect.
When people asked me to compare the two houses, I would say that the glory of West Park is in the morning as the sun rises over Hyde Park and the Hudson River. The glory of Mt. Calvary was watching the sun set on the Pacific Ocean. Light absolutely poured into that place from all the open windows and breezy doorways. I particularly liked the courtyard garden, the library, and the citrus trees growing around the property.
What a loss.
-t
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