Retreats in Year 3 Lower Secondary

Personally I think it's been a very good experience, to get out of your routine, connect with yourself...

But the main standout features of this retreat have been firstly the fact that we went on retreat to Manresa. Manresa was a very important place for St. Ignatius. So I think it's really appropriate that a Jesuit school like ours, and which is also named after St. Ignatius, should come here and try to have the same experience of faith that Ignatius had. Secondly, I think this retreat has been pretty interesting and productive due to the range of topics we worked on.

If I look at this retreat personally, I think that the topics covered are really well focused. For example, three topics we've touched on quite a bit have been what I'm like now or at this stage of life, what faith is or what I believe in, what sin is and how to let yourself forgive both yourself and others. But I couldn't have stuck with these topics if we hadn't done some outstanding related activities. Basically, these activities have helped me understand it; usually first we did one to kick off the topic and then we had some time to reflect in our rooms, which I find helps you to go deeper more personally.

But most of all I would say the sharing, the prayers and the Eucharist, plus the visualisation activity.

Marc M.

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This experience surprised me a lot in a good way, since I wasn't really sure whether I'd like it or not. I took away important things from all activities we did.

The talks and exercises helped me to better understand many things I'd never stopped to think about, and the times for reflection in my room allowed me to connect with myself as I'd never been able to do before and discover what and who is truly important in my life. I really liked the sharing with others. I felt closer to them and they helped me see life from different points of view. For me, it was lucky to have a Jesuit celebrating the Eucharist for us. It seemed like a very special moment to me, because it's not every day that you can have an experience like this in such a special place. I felt a lot of peace and it made me realise the importance of sharing these moments with others. I take with me a feeling of inner stillness, eager to be more aware of what I think and feel every day. This retreat has been a very special experience for me that I will never forget, and I'm keen to do lots more.

Inés Z.

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What I take away from the retreat is the good time we had together and switching off from our mobiles. I also take away a unique and unforgettable experience as it's been a few days to unplug from our routine and find our personal space, moments to think in our rooms and the moments of group cohesion which helped us to have a great time. I think those times of prayer at the beginning and end of the day were also excellent, those times when we all sang together and enjoyed the moment. I'm eager to do another retreat and take advantage of this opportunity again. Finally, I'd like to say that you don't have to believe in God to go on the retreats; you just need to feel like it and be keen to share with everyone.

Paula C.

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I really liked this retreat. Last year I said it was the best, but this year has been even better.

I've learned things within myself that I didn't know before; I've learned the meaning of many things, and I've seen what and who the important people are in my life, because perhaps before I paid attention to many issues that were not so important. I think we're at a time in adolescence when it's hard to focus and believe in someone, but this retreat has helped me, and I think all of us, to learn how to live together and grasp what we were going to do there.

It's also true that you grow and believe more or less each time and in the end the pathway you take is yours and you decide what you think and what your own journey is.

I really liked the fact that we spent a lot of time in our rooms because you had your own space and in the end you grew to love and trust it.

This retreat has helped us to switch off from our daily lives, routines and concerns, since during the day you're focused on the school, the spot, and you don't have time to stop and think, and I feel this retreat has helped us to take a break.

What I liked the most was the time in the chapel as it has very nice views and is a very pleasant place; I would have liked to have stayed there much longer or come back in the future.

Apart from all the reflections, I think it's been a retreat in which we've made new friends and met people we didn't know before, and maybe we had a view of him or her that wasn't right. We've laughed a lot and had lots of good times in the dining room, in the yard and so on.

I'd suggest to other year groups combining different classes as it gives you the chance to meet people and build new relationships.

I think we've all seen a side of the teachers we don't see as much at school since maybe we think they're stricter in class, but we've been able to see a side of them that we didn't know about until now.

I'd like to thank everyone in the house as they made us feel welcome, everything was very clean and the food was excellent.

I don't have any complaints; the only one is that it's very short and I would have liked it to be longer.

I would encourage everyone who doesn't feel like going or hasn't gone to go, since in my case I really wanted to go but some of my friends didn't want to go and they ended up having a great time. I would do it over and over again.

Maria C.

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I think the retreat has been a (spiritually) uplifting experience with a fun twist. First, I'll talk about the reflections. My favourite talk was the one on "faith", discovering that we trust all the time. Two other talks that I'd also pick out were the one on what we're like and how we've changed. The Eucharist was very lively and the singing was a great success. Finally, there were other things I really liked: the visit to the cave of St. Ignatius, the light and darkness activity and the film.

A big plus was mixing the students at mealtimes as this was when we got to know each other most. Two things to improve would be to give us more time to reflect in the rooms and also a little more free time.

In conclusion, this retreat has left me with more questions than answers (as the title says) and has made me see that you don't have to believe in any deity to enjoy it.

Marc R.

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The retreat has given me a deep sense of inner peace. This break from the constant din of everyday life has been a transformational experience, helping me to see what's really important. I've been able to reconnect with myself and look inward; I go home with the gift of knowing how to find silence again.

After these few days, I feel that I've strengthened my bond with God, and He has helped me to become a new and better version of myself. I've learned to live in the now without having to worry about what comes next; to appreciate the little things around me and have more faith in myself, in others and in God.

Blanca E.

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During this retreat, I've noticed a lot of things which have significantly changed the way I see things. That starts with going there, taking a break and having times to think, then asking myself questions, learning new concepts and noticing things, and finally enjoying a place without my mobile and in contact with nature. These are things we're generally not used to doing in our everyday lives and they are in fact essential aspects to get closer to God and thus enhance our faith.

David M.