From Aug. 30th through Sept. 1st, the class of 2024 attended their senior retreat at the harmonious St. Andrew’s Abbey Youth Retreat Center.

During the retreat, students went through a time of self reflection and spiritual growth as they faced their future as a senior. Whether it be their struggles of their last year of school, college applications, or life in general, the retreat was meant as a time to face those struggles.

The retreat gave students a new perspective on their individual relationships with God.

“I experienced God in a deeper way during prayers, especially during the prayer in mass,” Logan Ashley ‘24 stated.

Lillian Matthews ‘24 added that “the prayers that we participated in allowed me to experience God differently.”

Prayer was a main focus during the retreat. But also, interpersonal relationships were emphasized, “I saw God in the friends I shared my thoughts with in my small group,” Matthews stated.

Obviously, students were encouraged to express themselves emotionally and spiritually causing an inner realization.

Ashley stated that through these small groups he learned more of his worthiness for God. All senior students, one way or another, experience a sense of relief or spiritual resilience from the time off.

Through the spiritual experience brought by the calming scenery, the seniors learned to push through their life stresses by realizing the inherent “ability to love and be loved,” as concluded by Ashley.