As a Jesuit University, Loyola is committed to accompanying students as they seek God in their daily lives and discern who they are and how they will live as people for and with others. The Campus Ministry Retreat Program invites Loyola students to take time away for prayer, reflection, discernment, community, rest and delicious home-cooked food. Campus Ministry offers a variety of retreat experiences that incorporate elements of Ignatian Spirituality. On retreat, students may explore themes around God’s love, community, finding God in all things, cultivating compassion, identity, and living as a person for others. We offer several retreat experiences to meet a range of spiritual needs. Retreats are open to all students searching for meaning. Students from all backgrounds, faith traditions and spiritualities are welcome.
Campus Ministry Retreats
Chapel Choir Retreat
This weekend is prepared specifically for members of the Loyola University Maryland Chapel Choir.
For more information or questions, contact Laura McCormack at lemccormack@loyola.edu.
First-Year Ignite (FYI) Retreat
The First-Year Ignite retreat is a chance to build friendships with fellow first-year students, learn about Ignatian Spirituality, hear reflections from student leaders on topics like finding community, navigating transitions, and deepening in your faith and spirituality while at a Jesuit university. It also an opportunity to relax in nature with campfires, hikes, or quiet time at our beautiful retreat center in the Appalachian Mountains.
For more information or questions, contact Campus Ministry at campusministry@loyola.edu.
Interfaith Retreat
The Interfaith Retreat is an opportunity to learn more about the commonalities and unique aspects of diverse faith traditions at Loyola and beyond. Students will participate in creative activities, morning yoga, and meaningful dialogue, with the goal of celebrating different faith traditions and building bridges across people of diverse spiritual background. This retreat will provide students with an opportunity to deepen their understanding of both the religious experiences of others and their own religious identities.
If you are interested in learning more or becoming a retreat leader, contact Saima Sitwat, ssitwat@loyola.edu
Kairos Retreat
Kairos, adapted from Greek to mean "God’s Time," is a Christian retreat program geared toward deepening one's faith, identity, relationships, and connection to God's role in our lives. This retreat is an opportunity to find meaning in the highs and lows of your life.
Kairos is a journey of the heart, mind, and soul. On the weekend, you will hear from your peers, be invited to share your own story, and discover a community of affirmation and companionship. Everyone has a story worth telling, and everyone is welcome to embark on this journey.
For more information, contact Emily Kane, eekane@loyola.edu.
Queer Spirituality Retreat
The Queer Spirituality Retreat is a restorative weekend retreat centering LGBTQ+ students in an exploration of queer identity, spirituality, embodiment, and healing. Whether you're seeking rest, renewal, deeper self-connection, or community rooted in spiritual curiosity, this retreat offers space to reconnect - with yourself, with others, and with something greater.
All are welcome! No prior spiritual background needed.
For more information, contact Yulianna Otero Asmar, yoteroasmar@loyola.edu.
Silent Retreats
Loyola University’s Weekend Silent and Five Day Retreats offers a chance for solitude, prayer and spiritual direction based in the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola. St. Ignatius was convinced of the profound value of taking some time away from the normal pursuits of our daily life, to enter into an encounter with God in the solitude and interior openness that a silent retreat affords.
These retreats offer elements of the Spiritual Exercises through presentations, periods of quiet personal prayer and conversation with a spiritual director. Aside from meeting with the spiritual director and participating in responses during Masses and other common prayer, retreatants observe the great tradition of silence, including during most meals. Mass is offered each day, as well as opportunity for the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
These retreats are based in the Christian and Catholic tradition and are open to Loyola undergraduate and graduate students, faculty and staff, of all faith traditions. An application process is part of each retreat.
We offer weekend retreats in the Fall and Spring semesters, as well as a Five-Day Silent Retreat in the Spring.
For more information, contact Campus Ministry, campusministry@loyola.edu.
Women's Retreat
Women's Retreat is an opportunity to connect with other women across campus, share wisdom through storytelling, and celebrate what makes you, you. Join us for a weekend of community, spirituality, and empowerment!
For more information or questions, contact Emily Kane, eekane@loyola.edu.
What happens on retreat?
Retreats provide a space to pause. Throughout the experience, students will engage in diverse opportunities for prayer, reflection, dialogue and down-time. Many retreats include prepared talks/reflections offered by a student/faculty/staff member. Retreatants receive time to prayerfully reflect on the themes of a talk and to unpack the ways those themes are active in their own life. Many retreatants use this time for journaling, walking or sitting quietly. Following some quiet reflection time, small group sessions provide an opportunity for peer sharing and conversation. Retreatants spend time in prayer through guided exercises and communal reflection. Throughout the weekend, students receive nourishment through delicious meals prepared fresh by our gifted retreat center staff. Retreatants generally have time to explore the property, relax, take a nap, hang out with old friends or make new ones.
Location
All retreats are hosted at the Loyola University Retreat Center located on 20 serene acres in the mountains of Western Maryland, about 2.5 hours from Loyola’s Evergreen campus. The Loyola University Retreat Center offers a peaceful setting where individuals and groups are empowered to do the work necessary for reconnecting and renewing their hearts, minds, bodies and spirits. Please visit the Loyola University Retreat House Website for more information.
Cost
The registration fee for most retreats is $75. Some retreats are offered at the introductory rate of $35. All payments can be made by credit card, debit, Evergreen, cash or check (payable to Loyola University Maryland). The fee covers transportation, lodging, meals, and all other expenses for the weekend. The entire cost of a weekend retreat for one student is $190.00, however, Campus Ministry subsidizes $120+ of the retreat cost per student.
Full payment is due at least 14 days prior to the Retreat (some retreats require earlier payment). If you have not paid, you forfeit your spot on the retreat. $25 of your registration fee is a non-refundable deposit. If you cancel your registration by contacting the Retreat Director more than one week in advance, you will be refunded your fee minus the deposit. If you cancel less than one week in advance, your full payment is non-refundable.
Scholarship
Loyola believes that cost should never prohibit a student from experiencing a retreat. Generous donors provide scholarships for any and all students who require support to attend a retreat. Please contact the staff member listed for each retreat to request scholarship assistance.
Leadership
Campus Ministry needs your assistance, talents and leadership to host our retreats. There are many opportunities to participate in leadership. Students may apply to be a member of the retreat leader team.
- Retreat Leaders: A group of volunteer student leaders who work with Campus Ministry staff to facilitate retreat experiences for faith sharing, community building and meaning making. These students commit to taking an active role in preparing, facilitating, leading small groups, leading prayer and preparing and presenting retreat talks. Any student who has attended a Campus Ministry retreat is welcome to apply to serve as a retreat leader.
- Chaplains: Faculty, staff or alumni who assist the Campus Minister and retreat team with the facilitation of the retreat. Chaplains often attend retreat preparation meetings, accompany students on retreat, and lead or support activities on retreat.
If you are interested in learning more about being a student leader on a retreat, please contact the staff member listed for each retreat to express your interest.