Dear friends,

Below is a translation of an email that Sr Maru from the Casa de los Pobres sent me about the first step to fully reopening the St. Ignatius Hospital for Mental Health at the Ciudad de Misericordia City of Mercy) in Rosarito, Baja California.

The Hospital San Ignacio de Loyola was inaugurated on October 3, 1998 by Franciscan Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Peace (the same Sisters who operate Casa de los Pobres in Tijuana).  Due to financial issues, the hospital had to shut down in 2019. But in March of 2022, the hospital reopened ...

They have a new medical director who will train psychiatric interns at the hospital. They will be open for now only 1 or 2 days a week for outpatient treatment ─ until they have sufficient funds to reopen once again as a fully residential treatment hospital:

“Well, the long-awaited day finally arrived (Feb 2) to celebrate the Mass for the reopening of the San Ignacio Hospital (for mental health at the City of Mercy in Rosarito). Father Pepe was the celebrant, and we had a very nice day. Also accompanying us were Teresa Doyle, Sr. Kathy Warren, the Director of the Office for Religious (of the Diocese of San Diego) and Memo and Ruth Gomez, who were invited to represent your Casa de los Pobres USA (from Sacred Heart in Coronado working on the 1 million meal food packaging event at Cathedral High School in June and helping the Casa in other ways). There were about 10 people from UABC, the Autonomous University of Baja California, and the place was filled but not overcrowded.    

"Father Pepe gave a blessing to the young doctors (who will be working at the hospital). Unfortunately, the new Director of the hospital was not able to attend, because he has Covid. Afterwards we had a meal with tamales and champurrado to celebrate the reopening and to mark the end to the traditional, popular Christmas Season. This is a customary meal that we celebrate on the day of Candelaria or Candlemas (the feast of the Presentation of the Child Jesus in the temple) , February 2. This date marks exactly 40 days after Christmas.

"Two of our guests were women from Los Angeles who belong to NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness), Ana and Silvia. During the meal they gave their testimony because both have had their children admitted to the San Ignacio Hospital. It was very good to hear them, especially for the young doctors, and they expressed why they preferred Hospital San Ignacio to other places. One said that when she arrived at the Hospital, she felt a great emotion because she felt that she was reaching a place of hope for her and her son. The other one begged the doctors to take care of her children; it was very emotional. A teacher from the University also expressed her gratitude for the reception and thus each of the young doctors expressed their thanks and joy for being in that place.

"On other things, our wonderful new friend and benefactor, Memo Gomez, was very excited to tell us that he spoke with a man from Tijuana who could possibly give us a good price on vegetables and fruits. That would be excellent, because you know how much they are needed for the dining room at the Casa and also for the Haitians. He also said that he had spoken with two Cuban doctors who live in Tijuana and are willing to help. I mentioned that I wish that they would be willing to go to Santa Julia to see the Haitians because nobody else wants to go. They are rightly cautious, but there are just so many who are in need! We already ordered thermometers, so the people can take their temperatures themselves.

"Things seem to be going well with the Haitians. The expanded kitchen is almost finished. Sr. Armida has been going from government office to government office for permits for the sewers and water; and the Mexican offices almost always say "come back tomorrow," and so Rosa (Sr. Armida’s assistant) and Armida go from one place to another, I feel sorry for them! We have sent mats to the refugees, and they have liked them a lot. Poor people! It has been very cold at night!

Let us continue to pray for them and for our ability to help them. And we continue to pray for all of our benefactors."   

Sr. Maru Espinoza, MFP   

In 2026, St. Ignatius Hospital for Mental Health continues to operate as a structured mental health residence and rehabilitation hospital.    

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