Student Experience
Retreats
Faith Formation
Every year at Loyola, our students attend a spiritual retreat held either on campus or off campus at one of the many retreat centers in the area. The goal of our retreat program is to help our Dons become aware of God in their lives, learn the importance of community, and invite them to live a life that glorifies God through action. See below for a full list of retreats by grade level.
List of 8 items.
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6th Grade Retreat
6th Grade Retreat (2023–24)
Date: September 29, 2023 (ends at 2:15 p.m.)Location: Loyola BlakefieldThe theme of the 6th grade retreat is Packing for the Journey. Students will be led through a day of reflection by members of the sophomore class, where they will have a chance to look forward to their next seven years at Loyola and think about what tools they will need to be spirited members of the Loyola community and grow into the qualities of the Graduate at Graduation. -
7th Grade Retreat
7th Grade Retreat (2023–24)
Date: October 20, 2023 (ends at 2:15 p.m.)Location: Loyola BlakefieldOn this retreat, students will have an opportunity to explore more deeply the Grad-at-Grad qualities of being religious and loving. Each student will have time to examine his own personal spirituality as well as his religious beliefs. There will be time for large group activities, small group sharing, and personal reflection. This retreat is a joint effort with the seventh grade class from St. Ignatius Loyola Academy, which offers an opportunity for our Dons to cultivate relationships with students from a fellow Jesuit school. -
8th Grade Retreat
8th Grade Retreat (2023–24)
Dates: August 28-29, 2023Location: Genesee Valley Outdoor Learning CenterAt the beginning of their 8th grade year, the young Dons take time to look back at their two years together at Loyola and also take time to consider their role as leaders of the middle school. The entire class goes to a retreat center overnight where they engage in outdoor and indoor team-building exercises, reflection, sharing, and a prayer service. They are challenged to grow together as a class and with God. -
IGNITE! Freshman Retreat
IGNITE! Freshman Retreat (2023–24)Dates: November 4–5, 2023 (overnight)Location: Loyola Blakefield
The IGNITE! Freshman Retreat is entirely designed, planned, and executed by students. It is a unique overnight experience that takes place during the fall semester. Its main objectives are to help our freshmen experience God's love, get to know their classmates better, and introduce them to the philosophy of a Jesuit school. -
Sophomore Retreat
Sophomore Retreat (2023–24)
Dates: March 18–19, 2024 (half of the class attends on each day and returns back to school by 3:00 p.m.)Location: Msgr. O'Dwyer Retreat HouseIn preparation for their Sophomore Conversations, students will have an opportunity to spend the day at a retreat center and reflect on the qualities of the Graduate at Graduation. Adult and student leaders will share about what these qualities mean to them, and the retreatants will have an opportunity to reflect on how they have lived these principles. -
Kairos (for Junior & Seniors)
Kairos Retreat (2023–24)
Dates:
Kairos 140: October 3–6, 2023
Kairos 141: November 28 – December 1, 2023
Kairos 142: January 23–26, 2024
Kairos 143: February 20–23, 2024
Kairos 144: April 9–12, 2024Location: Claggett CenterKairos (or "the Lord's time") is a retreat led by students for students. The talks and exercises of this retreat center on the revelation of God's love as we experience it in our lives. The themes of the four days of Kairos are: “Who am I?” “Who is Jesus?” "What is Jesus’ message to me?” and “How do I live my response to Jesus’ call?” Faculty and staff members participate as co-workers with the student team built from previous Kairos retreats. Over 2,000 Dons have attended a Kairos retreat—ask one about it! -
Wilderness Retreat (for all grades)
Wilderness Retreat (2023–24)
Dates: TBDLocation: Gunpowder State ParkThis retreat is a two-day overnight experience modeled in the Ignatian tradition. Students will have opportunities to reflect on God’s presence in nature and within themselves. There will be time for silent meditation, group sharing, and team-building exercises. -
Neighbors Retreat (for Upper School students)
Neighbors Retreat (2023–24)
Dates: April 24–26, 2024 (two nights)Location: Msgr. O'Dwyer Retreat HouseWhen standing in the shadow of racial injustice, what does it mean to be a neighbor in 2024? The Neighbors Retreat, sponsored by our Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, will create a space for students to explore spiritually and socially how we can respond as people of faith to racial injustice in all its forms.
