21 Students Take Part in ‘Spiritual Exercises’ During Spring Break

One group of students at Holy Cross didn’t just take a break from their books during spring break — they also said goodbye to all forms of technology.

The 21 students reflected on their lives and their relationship with God as part of a five-day adapted version of the traditional Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola. The retreat took place at the Campion Renewal Center in Weston, Mass.

The five days of silence and prayer is an opportunity for students to reflect more deeply about their faith, the power of God’s love for them and their relationship to others. In addition, liturgies and thematic talks by the chaplain retreat directors help assist in the faith journey of the participants.

“Silence is an integral part of the retreat experience,” says Megan Fox-Kelly, assistant chaplain and director of retreats. “People today, especially students at Holy Cross, are so overscheduled. There is rarely time for quiet or for paying attention to the desires, hopes, and dreams that people have for themselves and the world.”

Finding silence even means logging off Facebook.

“Students today are so distracted by technology — texting, Facebook, cellphones,” she says. “During the silence of this retreat, these are all put aside and the retreatants have the opportunity to pay attention and to listen, to themselves and to God.”

What did students take away from the retreat?

“Each student has a unique and personal experience depending on what their life experience has been and their own relationship with God,” she says.

“The exercises helped me to see God as a friend rather than this being who rules high and looks below,” says Antonio Willis-Berry ’13, a mathematics and music double major. “God is with us at all times, walking with and beside us. I came to the understanding that God was not going to give me the answers to any of my questions, but that he would walk and be with me through all of the journeys, obstacles, and challenges that life threw at me.”

Catherine Mikula ’14, a history major, says that although the retreat was challenging, she was aided by “God’s love and presence.”

“I felt challenged to strengthen and develop my relationship with God, to think about events in my life that have led me farther and closer to Him. These things were difficult at times, but I felt comforted, reassured, and at peace enough to tap into that. I am so glad that I took part, and will continue to do so over my time here at Holy Cross. I highly recommend it to other students looking to spark or strengthen their faith,” she says.

“We have seen a growth in the interest for the Spiritual Exercises and felt that spring break was a good time for students to have this experience,” says Fox-Kelly. “Students have a chance to stop mid-semester and take time to think, pray and reflect. We now offer the retreat in October, January, March and May.”

Different members of the Jesuit community and chaplains serve as retreat directors on the four retreats offered during the academic year. In addition to Fox-Kelly, Marybeth Kearns-Barrett, interim director of the Chaplains’ Office, Sr. Lucille Cormier, S.A.S.V., Rev. James Hayes, S.J., associate chaplain, and Rev. Ed Vodoklys, S.J., senior lecturer in classics, served as retreat directors.

Between 20 to 40 students participate in each of the Spiritual Exercises offered throughout the year, and about 100 students participate in the exercises annually.

Related Information:

• Chaplains' Office