Ian Sykes ’28
Staff Writer
After the start of a busy second semester, many of my fellow first-year students and I headed to the Joyce Contemplative Center to enjoy a nice weekend of reflection and rejuvenation.
However, the retreat came at a time where the last thing we wanted to think about was rest. As we headed up the mountain to the JCC, the thought of work could hardly escape my mind — assignments, readings, essays, and other inescapable life responsibilities. Like many of the students I accompanied, I briefly considered bringing my backpack to do work, but the moment I stepped foot on the JCC campus, I realized work was not going to be the focus of the next few days.
Instead, in line with the Ignatian and Jesuit mission, we were the focus. We prayed, journaled, reflected in small groups, listened to talks from student mentors, and took time for ourselves and for spending time with each other. As the weekend progressed at the JCC, I engaged in some much needed self-reflection, spiritual contemplation, and social gregariousness I didn’t know I needed.
In addition to all the great personal enrichment I felt that weekend, I got just as much interpersonal enrichment. This retreat gave me great opportunities to meet new people, as well as to build stronger relationships with people I already knew. Out of all the important things I took away from the retreat, it was the connections I made with other people that were undoubtedly the most important, like many things are here.
As students at a school like Holy Cross, it can be very easy to fixate on academics and let our self-care habits fall to the wayside. However, as Holy Cross teaches us, it is our duty to be for and with not only others, but also ourselves, as we too often forget. Retreats like this one are provided by Holy Cross to give us opportunities to leave the fervent, sleepless rigor of our busy lives, and to take a moment for ourselves. Even if you don’t think you need a retreat — just as I did — it might benefit you to take the break you didn’t know you needed. It was worth the time, and it’ll be worth yours, too.
The college would love if you went on a retreat! You can access a full list to upcoming retreats here: https://www.holycross.edu/faith-and-service-opportunities/retreats
Copy Edited by Lily Wasmund ’28
Featured image courtesy of College of the Holy Cross
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