Retreats
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 2025-2026
- September 19-21, 2025: First-Year Ignite Retreat
- October 10-12, 2025: Queer Spirituality Retreat
- November 7-9, 2025: Chapel Choir Retreat
- November 21-23, 2025: Kairos Retreat
- February 20-22, 2026: Interfaith Retreat
- March 27-29, 2026: Kairos Retreat
- April 17-19, 2026: Women's Retreat
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.
Scholarships
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.