By Daniel Jensen, M.M.

On Sept. 22, the Maryknoll order will celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of their Los Altos seminary.

Bishop Patrick J. McGrath of the San Jose diocese will celebrate Mass at 11 a.m., with a homily by the Superior General of Maryknoll, Father Raymond Finch, M.M.

A picnic lunch will follow, giving classmates an opportunity to visit their alma mater and meet with old acquaintances.

Maryknoll, the Catholic Foreign Mission Society of America, was established in 1911 by the bishops of the United States to be the missionary arm of the American Catholic Church.

Within 15 years of its founding in 1926, the fledgling mission society established a presence in the Bay Area.

Built as a seminary for candidates for the missionary priesthood, the building originally overlooked a serene valley filled with fruit orchards. Now, travelers along busy Interstate 280 are familiar with the green-roofed Oriental tower visible on the western horizon near the Foothill exit.

On completion of their studies here, candidates finished their theological studies at the Major Seminary (”Maryknoll East”), located on the banks of the Hudson River in Westchester County, New York.

In 1976, as the vocation crisis grew, the Maryknoll superiors in New York decided to consolidate forces. Unwilling to leave the Bay Area,

Maryknoll retooled the old seminary building, and the Maryknoll Seminary became Maryknoll Residence for retired priests and brothers. At present, Maryknoll houses about 28 permanent residents.

The number of retired residents shrank while reconstruction went on. But old ties remain. Every now and then a former seminarian will stop in to visit the old haunts.

In the Loma Preta earthquake of 1989, the building suffered structural damage. Most notably, the Oriental tower, a landmark for travelers on Interstate 280, was severely damaged and had to be shortened.

The Buddhist temple bell, long a symbol of Maryknoll’s call to the Orient, now overlooks the valley to the west. It is a fitting symbol that the missionary call has not been stilled even in the golden years of these missioners who still dream of their lives in such faraway places.

An invitation is extended to all former seminarians, alumni and their wives to join the celebration. Please call 254-7500 to assist the planning committee.

Father Jensen, a member of Maryknoll, has served as director for nearly four years. He worked in Latin America for 28 years.

Maryknoll is located at 23000 Cristo Rey Drive, Los Altos.