Retreats are a necessary component of faith formation and campus ministry. Our retreat program is designed to provide an annual reflective experience for each student. This ensures that all students continually develop their own personal relationship with God, collectively build unity with their peers as a class, and process their growth as they mature as teenagers. These retreats are led by upperclassmen members of the Call to Ministry Team who serve as peer ministers who witness to their own growth through leadership in small group discussions, large group talks, spiritually expressive prayers, and interactive activities. All retreats are chaperoned and accompanied by grade level faculty.
During these off-campus retreats, students address questions of personal faith, build community, participate in challenging activities, and join in prayer experiences - all appropriate for their age level. These annual class retreats provide opportunities for students to grow into:
Underclassman grade levels have one-day retreat experiences at a local Catholic retreat center in Brownsville. Each retreat day is filled with communal prayer and activities aligned to the theme that help students process the experience.
Upperclassman retreats are extended 3-day overnight experiences, spent off campus in retreat centers outside of Brownsville. The additional time is necessary to allow for a deeper examination of faith, self, and community.
In
11th grade, juniors participate in an
Encounter Christ retreat which is based on an established Marist program and is consistent in its presentation each year. Typically, there are two Encounters annually to accommodate and foster full participation of the junior class – one in the Fall and one in the Spring. The Encounter is conducted in the Lower Rio Grande Valley, in a natural and peaceful setting that encourages prayer and reflection.
For
12th grade retreat, the entire senior class is strongly encouraged to attend this last retreat of their high school career at Saint Joseph Academy. The retreat is aimed at a final call to community and life in Christ. Held at
Camp Eagle, it is a time of reflection, sharing, prayer, and fun before being sent forth.