Retreat Programs
FRESHMAN YEAR RETREAT
The Freshman Retreat, required for all ninth graders, focuses on building community among the class and the Ignatian theme of "finding God in all things." It is a three-day retreat with one overnight, and is held in the school building with upperclassmen serving as leaders and grounds crew.
SOPHOMORE YEAR DISCOVERY RETREATS
These three-day retreats are designed to afford sophomores the time to take a step back from their daily lives to reflect on significant aspects of their lives and to spend time deepening their relationships with their classmates. The retreats offer a wide range of activities from reflection and prayer to sports and hiking. The retreats are led by a team of juniors, seniors, and faculty.
JUNIOR YEAR EMMAUS RETREATS
Each month, groups of about 20 juniors spend three days away in a community experience exploring the encounter of the disciples on the road to Emmaus with Jesus after His resurrection and their recognizing Him "in the breaking of the bread".
The Emmaus retreat provides an opportunity for a student to become more aware of himself along with his human and Christian potential. It offers a setting to explore the meaning of his life, his relationships with family, friends, and the Lord, and his responsibilities within the Christian community for mature choices and personal growth. By doing all this in a community setting, the retreat offers a model of generous sharing and giving of self to others which is at the heart of all community experiences. The retreat is led by a team of faculty and seniors and ends with a liturgy at Fordham where the retreatants are welcomed home by family and friends.
All are encouraged to remember the participants in their prayers. A list of the participants is posted in the Commons across from the Dean's Office.
Registration takes place during Orientation in September.
SENIOR YEAR AD AMOREM
This 3-day retreat for seniors is a guided religious experience led by a group of Jesuits, lay teachers, and alumni. A senior gathers together his experiences of God and of life in preparing for the choices of a college and a profession in his future. The retreat offers him the opportunity to invite the Lord into these choices, asking God to reveal what He wishes, so that he may continue to follow the Lord in his life.
All are encouraged to remember the participants in their prayers. A list of the participants is posted in the Commons across from the Dean's Office.
SENIOR YEAR "FINDING GOD IN ALL THINGS" NATURE RETREAT
This one-day retreat includes hiking, prayer, and reflection at Bear Mountain in Rockland, New York. Typically, 10-15 seniors participate in this nature-oriented retreat.
SENIOR YEAR 19TH ANNOTATION RETREAT
This retreat is based on the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. During the six-week retreat, candidates devote 20 minutes each day to prayer and reflection and meet with a small group once per week as part of the Senior Ministry Leadership Team.
Students can apply for this program in the spring of junior year