How to Prepare for a Catholic Retreat to Grow Spiritually

Campus ministry is an essential part of everyday life at St. Agnes Academy. Campus ministry supports and carries out the mission of our school by fostering the Dominican Pillars of Prayer, Study, Community, and Preaching.

Each student at St. Agnes participates in a retreat every year, which is focused on one of the four pillars. Find out more about how to prepare for a Catholic retreat for your grade level!

- Our 9th-grade students spend two days at Camp for All, focusing on Community. Students are given a chance to make friends and establish a strong connection with their class. 

- The sophomore retreat is also two days and focuses on the Dominican Pillar of Study. Sophomores spend time immersed in service throughout the Houston area.

Encountering need in our community leads students to question and grapple with the reality of our world today, hopefully ultimately asking, "How can I make the world a better place as a person of faith?"

- Our Junior Retreat is traditionally three days and two nights at Forest Glen Club and focuses on the Dominican Pillar of Prayer. By stepping out of the hustle and bustle of daily life, students take an inventory of their hearts and minds and consider what it looks like to connect with God through prayer.

On this retreat, students consider their relationship with the Sacred and hopefully come away with a renewed confidence in themselves and their relationship with God, who continually sustains them through all of life's ups and downs.

- For their final retreat, seniors spend three days and two nights focusing on the Dominican Pillar of Preaching.

Students have one last chance to bond with their classmates, renew their relationship with God, and remember how much they are loved before moving on to the next step of their lives. The retreat encourages each student to consider how she will continue to preach the Gospel with her words and her life.

- Overall, these retreats offer a unique opportunity for students to deepen their faith, connect with God, and build a stronger sense of community. To make the most of this time and really learn from these transformational experiences, students must take some time to prepare and plan before each retreat.

Before each retreat, students are introduced to the theme, purpose, how it aligns with our Dominican values, and how it relates to each student’s personal faith journey. Preliminary conversations lay the groundwork for a more meaningful experience and help increase engagement.

Students are to spend some time reflecting before the retreat. They should set personal intentions and goals for their time so their experience is more meaningful. 

Prior to the retreat, students should review any expectations, rules, or policies set in place by the school and retreat chaperones. It is important for students to follow the packing list carefully and complete any necessary forms or waivers.

When packing for the retreat, students should be intentional about what they pack to limit distractions during this trip. This time is meant to be reflective, engaging, and meaningful; packing electronic devices or reading material unrelated to the retreat's focus can distract from the whole experience.

Students should go into their retreats with an open mind and heart. They are there to learn and grow spiritually and emotionally.

Students should prepare to engage in conversations that foster a sense of community and support among other students, creating a safe and nurturing environment for spiritual growth. 

Being open-minded and willing to be vulnerable is an essential part of building trust, acceptance, respect, and community within the class.

Following the retreat, students should reflect on their experiences. Think and share what they learned, how they grew, what meant the most, how they felt, who they connected with, and what they’ll remember most.

St. Agnes Academy believes that each student plays an integral role in carrying out the mission of the school and ministering to one another.

Through retreats, prayer experiences, and other celebrations of our Dominican Heritage, St. Agnes seeks to build a strong community of faith, igniting a passion for the love of God and neighbor that is tangible through the halls of St. Agnes.

Retreats are just one of the exciting ways students can strengthen their faith if they are prepared and willing. Connect with our Campus Ministry to learn more about our retreat program for your grade level!