The Guest House Story

In the 1940's, our founder Austin Ripley saw a tragedy unfolding among the people in recovery.  A recovering alcoholic himself, Ripley observed that Catholic priests weren't succeeding like laymen in overcoming their addictions.

In fact, he was appalled at the totally uninformed and often-punitive treatment he saw being given to alcoholic Catholic priests, including their placement in "ecclesiastical houses of rehabilitation." These facilities were, he believed, nothing more than jails where treatment was largely prayer and penitence.

Ripley decided to devote himself to the creation of a treatment program that respected not only the religious calling of priests and religious, but also their dignities as human beings who are prone to addictive diseases just like anyone else.

Through many years of trials and tribulations, finally in 1956, Ripley opened Guest House in Lake Orion, Michigan.  With the help of the Archdiocese of Detroit, he purchased the former home of newspaper magnate William E. Scripps.  The 67-room mansion was situated on 100 acres of rolling hills with ponds, gardens and trees--a peaceful, private setting perfect for rehabilitation and recovery.

Over the next decade, with Ripley as director, Guest House flourished.  Often times there were waiting lists which prompted the construction of a new treatment facility in Rochester, Minnesota.  Once completed in 1969 the new treatment facility quickly grew to capacity. 

Although Ripley passed away in 1974, the mission of Guest House continued on and in 1994 a long awaited dream of Rip’s was realized, with the opening of the women’s treatment program in Lake Orion, Michigan. 

Since it’s beginning, Guest House has cared for more than 7,300 priests and religious.  They have come from more than 165 dioceses, 120 religious communities and 48 countries worldwide.  The vast majority have returned to their ministries renewed in health, purpose and spirituality.

Today, Guest House continues the important mission Austin Ripley set out to accomplish more than 50 years ago.   Over the years the landscape in which Guest House operates has changed. Necessary adjustments have been made to improve our services to the Catholic Church and those individuals we serve.  To that end, Guest House has more recently expanded its programs to include a Dual Diagnosis Program in Pennsylvania as well as a long-term Recovery Residence for those who need extended care.  Guest House also sponsors the Friendship House in Mangalore India, the only treatment facility in Asia dedicated to the treatment of priests.

Education has been an important component of the fulfillment of the Guest House Mission.

The Guest House Institute was created to educate catholic leadership on the subject of alcoholism and the nature of addiction.   Workshops and presentations are conducted for conferences, seminaries, convocations and the like.  The subject matter is so important, not only for the education and formation of those we serve directly, but it also helps to prepare them for the very prevalent reality of substance abuse issues among there parishioners.

Over the past 50 years or so, a number of audio and video tapes have been produced at Guest House.  Many are recordings of presentations made by notable clergy and laity, including Austin Ripley, who in some way were part of our history.  Although many are outdated we have included some relevant audio and video media that may be of interest to you as you explore the Guest House Story.  

 An 8-minute video, "Every Step of the Way," gives a concise overview of the work and needs of Guest House today.




Resources for more information on Austin Ripley and the treatment of Alcoholism:

• The Life Story of Austin Ripley...Founder of Guest House. Frank J. McGinnis. Copyright 1976.
• Report on Guest House. Reverend Phillip J. Donnelly, S.J., April 15, 1969.
• Austin Ripley's Funeral Homily. Reverend Phillip J. Donnelly, S.J., April 16, 1974.
• Alcoholism, A Source Book for the Priest, An Anthology. National Clergy Conference on Alcoholism, 1960, Indianapolis, IN.
  
• Hazelden, A Spiritual Odyssey. Damian McElrath, Ph.D., Hazelden, 1987.