Retreats
“[Jesus] said to them, ‘Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.’ People were coming and going in great numbers, and they had no opportunity even to eat.” (Mark 6:31)
A retreat is an opportunity to intentionally step back from our endless commitments and hectic schedules to rest, reflect, and pray. Sometimes our lives can be like the disciples’ lives in the Scripture passage above. We are so busy hurrying from one activity to the next that we hardly take time to nourish our bodies, our minds, and our spirits.
You don’t need to be Catholic to participate. Campus Ministry exists for all students, so we want our opportunities to be accommodating and inviting. If you are interested in participating, please do! At the same time, Campus Ministry follows the inspiration of De La Salle and the Catholic Church, so while the experiences will be accessible to a person of any or no faith, it will be presented from a Catholic perspective.
Please talk to someone in Campus Ministry if you have any questions or hesitations about this. We hope you join us!
Retreat Dates for 2023-2024
- September 22-24, 2023 — Signum Fidei Retreat
- November 8-12, 2023 — Busy Person’s Retreat
- February 21-25, 2024 — Busy Person’s Retreat
- April 5-7, 2024 — De La Salle Retreat
Signum Fidei Retreat
Who? This retreat is for anyone who is open to an experience of rest, reflection, prayer, and community. Even if you’ve never been on a retreat or if you’re unsure about how you express your spirituality, this retreat will help you explore faith in a new or renewed way.
What? This is the staple CBU retreat. If you think about CBU as your home, you can think about Signum Fidei as a big family reunion – it has a way of drawing people together who might have only considered themselves distantly-related Buccaneers before! Through opportunities to hear witness talks given by fellow students, share in small groups, play games, and pray together, all retreatants (people participating in the retreat) will come to know more about themselves, others, and God on this overnight weekend retreat. Come and see!
Where? Our Lady Queen of Peace Retreat Center (3630 Dancyville Road, Stanton, TN 38069-4711)
When?
- September 22-24, 2023 (deadline to apply: September 8)
Why? “Signum Fidei” means “sign of faith,” and for the Lasallians, this little star has big implications. It recalls the star of Bethlehem that people followed in faith to discover the location of the newborn Jesus, one called “Emmanuel” or “God with us.” For the Christian Brothers, this star also represents the five core Lasallian principles set forth by John Baptist de La Salle himself. As such, this sign of faith has a way of attracting all sorts of people to learn more about themselves, others, and God. This retreat will give you the same opportunity!
How much? This retreat will cost you $75 for everything: transportation, food, rooms, and a quality retreat experience; $75 is less than half the total cost per person, so it’s a pretty sweet deal! At the same time, we provide scholarships to those in need. If money is a barrier, please reach out to Campus Ministry. We want to remove any obstacles for you to attend!
Busy Person’s Retreat
Who? It’s called a “Busy Person’s Retreat” because it has been deliberately designed for those who feel that they are too busy to make a retreat. If you don’t think you have time, you are definitely someone who needs to participate!
What? Campus Ministry offers a fall and a spring Busy Person’s Retreat (BPR). Don’t let the dates overwhelm you! Though the retreat does last a week, it only requires two (2) thirty-minute chunks of time per day.
Where? Wherever you are! In your dorm room, in one of those awesome red Adirondack chairs outside, in Stritch chapel… the list is endless.
When?
- November 8-12, 2023 (deadline to apply: October 25)
- February 21-25, 2024 (more info to come)
Why? Why not? It’s good for us to be intentional about our time and focus on being healthy in mind, body, and spirit. This retreat is a low-stress opportunity to nourish your soul at your own pace.
How much? This retreat costs just $15 dollars! If money is a barrier, please reach out to Campus Ministry. We want to remove any obstacles for you to attend!
De La Salle Retreat
Who? This retreat is designed for those who have already attended the Signum Fidei retreat or who are looking to take their faith to the next level.
What? This retreat is inspired by the life and teachings of John Baptist de La Salle, the founder of the Christian Brothers. In addition to hearing witness talks and participating in small group discussion, retreatants can expect a schedule that is focused on reflection: spending time with Scripture, praying the Liturgy of the Hours, and opportunities for quiet prayer, especially during Eucharistic Adoration. Don’t worry — there will still be time for fun and community-building!
Where? Our Lady Queen of Peace Retreat Center (3630 Dancyville Road, Stanton, TN 38069-4711)
When?
- April 5-7, 2024 (deadline to apply: March 1st)
Why? John Baptist de La Salle wrote an impressive amount about the importance of and how to make a retreat. Inspired by his legacy, this retreat will draw heavily on his writings, as well as the rich Tradition of the Catholic Church.
How much? This retreat will cost you $75 for everything: transportation, food, rooms, and a quality retreat experience; $75 is less than half the total cost per person, so it’s a pretty sweet deal! At the same time, we provide scholarships to those in need. If money is a barrier, please reach out to Campus Ministry. We want to remove any obstacles for you to attend!