Kairos is a Greek word for 'time' — time out of time or sacred time. Rooted in Ignatian spirituality, a Kairos retreat is offered to the junior class at a time in their lives where they are appreciative of their spirituality and are open to the spiritual growth that flows from the experience. The four-day retreat activities are designed to recognize the diversity of students both from different traditions and at different places on the spiritual journey. Each comes to know herself in such a way that she can respond to God’s call through her actions with others.
Kairos removes the retreatants from time, distractions, homework, family, and electronics. Over the course of the retreat, a series of large and small group activities based on trust provide opportunities for personal and prayerful reflection. Each retreatant is challenged to find meaning in her experiences and in her relationships with God, her class, and her community. A deeply spiritual and personal experience, the retreat allows the juniors to simultaneously grow in awareness of the gifts each brings to the community and to discover the gifts she wishes to further develop.
The hallmark of Kairos is its peer leadership. "Senior leaders are selected on their genuine desire to create a retreat experience for the junior class and their understanding of what it is to bring the retreat message of love in action to everyday life,”explains Director of Campus Ministry Mr. Ryan Murphy. Each retreat through its peer leadership becomes a unique experience.
Held off-campus in a positive and enriching atmosphere, the prayer, reflection, and shared experiences of a Kairos retreat awaken and strengthen personal faith and class unity. The spirit of the retreat lives on as each retreatant continues to view herself and her classmates through a new lens. By exploring her capacity to build relationships, Kairos becomes a defining personal experience, one each is able to live out after the retreat ends.