Historic Emmaus 300 Takes Place

On Thursday, November 19, 11 candidates, three senior leaders and three faculty members embarked on an Emmaus retreat.  Such a sight is commonplace during a normal school year but these are not normal times.  The members of the historic 300th Emmaus gathered over the course of two days in the Prep’s library to complete their journey on the road to Emmaus like so many Prep students, faculty, and staff have done over the years.

Emmaus 300 was originally scheduled to take place in early March just as the COVID-19 pandemic arrived in the United States and was canceled for safety reasons.  Mr. Mike Kravatz, Campus Minister, believed it was important to ensure that the retreat took place, even if it looked different than in past years. 

“While the in-house experience was certainly different, the Emmaus retreat is about providing students the opportunity to recognize Christ who walks with them both as individuals and as a community. Once we were assured that the space and schedule would offer a meaningful experience true to the Emmaus retreat, we felt called to offer to our seniors whose retreats were cancelled last Spring, the experience of having their "eyes opened" and "hearts burning" as thousands of Fordham Prep students have done over the past 30 plus years on the Road to Emmaus and just as those early disciples did as well,” said Kravatz.

Instead of a two and a half day experience, Emmaus 300 was adapted to last just over a day and a half.  However, like all other retreats, it ended with a homecoming Mass which was celebrated by Rev. Stan O’Konsky, SJ.  It is very fitting that Fr. O’Konsky presided over this historic celebration as he has been one of the driving forces behind the Emmaus retreat program since its inception.  During the Mass special prayers were offered for all the Jesuits and lay ministers who helped to grow and support the Emmaus program over the years.

Nicholas Speres, a senior participant on the retreat, commented, "I wasn’t sure what to expect going in with how much shorter Emmaus was this year. However, the senior leaders, the faculty, and Mr. Kravitz did an incredible job of bringing together the highlights of a normal Emmaus for our time together."  His classmate Brendan O'Brien echoed, "Mr. Kravatz along with all of the ministry team worked tremendously hard to put it together, and I know all of us are so thankful for that." 

As the Emmaus program reaches this milestone, the legacy of the program can be felt across the generations.  Sons of Prep alumni are now making their own journey on the road to Emmaus decades after their fathers.  Vice President of Mission and Identity, Mr. Brian Carney, a veterna of multiple Emmaus retreats said, “This historic 300th Emmaus reminds us that there are generations of Prep students who have journeyed together on the road to Emmaus, where like the early disciples they too recognized the presence of the risen Christ in their midst.” 

All Emmaus participants; students, faculty, and staff, who have walked the road together welcome the members of Emmaus 300 to this unique brotherhood and give thanks for those who have made possible the Emmaus program over these many years.

“Then their eyes were open and they recognized him…” Luke 24:31