Christian Awakening Retreat gives juniors and seniors the chance to step away from the distractions of everyday life and focus on growing their relationship with God. One year ago, I had the opportunity to attend the January retreat as a participant. This year, I had the honor of returning to that same retreat as a leader for the juniors.
Held at Mount Saint Francis, the four day retreat is more than just time away from school. It is an opportunity to build real connections and form brotherhood with the people around you. While most St. X students attend a Christian Awakening retreat at some point, very few get the chance to lead one.
During my retreat as a junior, I remember thinking I would never be a good leader. I was quiet, nervous, and unsure of myself. However, with the support of the senior leaders, I was pushed out of my comfort zone and gained the confidence I needed to eventually step into a leadership role myself.
Leading the retreat felt completely different from being a retreatant. Knowing what was coming next and watching the juniors react in the moment made the experience even more meaningful. Seeing their emotions, growth, and openness was easily the most rewarding part.
One of my favorite parts of the retreat was talking with and connecting to the juniors. As seniors, it is our responsibility to be role models for the younger students at St. X. Spending time with people I normally walk past in the hallways, but rarely talk to, was surprisingly fulfilling. This feeling was shared by other leaders as well.
“Even though it’s Junior Christian Awakening, with how open they were, they encouraged me to be open myself,” Karsten Busch said. “Even though I was leading them, it felt like I was a part of the experience all over again.”
Christian Awakening Retreat is truly a life changing experience, and once the opportunity passes, you do not get it back. I strongly encourage everyone to attend, even if you are not very religious. The connections and bonds formed during those four days can last a lifetime. I also highly recommend becoming a leader. While it can be challenging at times, the overall experience is what makes the journey complete.
