Retreats
An essential part of Jesuit education is a spirituality which integrates one's faith with all aspects of daily living.
In order to grow in our lives we need to take time to step away from the busyness that happens all around us. Retreats at SJU are the perfect way to get away from campus for a weekend to reflect on our lives! Through retreats, activities engaged in, meals shared, thoughts and feelings treasured, participants are invited to embrace the Ignatian principles of "finding God in all things."
Retreat Schedule
2023-2024 Retreats
Fall Semester
Peer Ministers
August 27
Contact Tom Sheibley, tsheible@sju.edu
Weekly Service Leaders
September 8-9
Contact Beth Ford McNamee, beth.ford@sju.edu
We are the Now of the Church Retreat (SCHEAP)
September 15-16
Contact Beth Ford McNamee, beth.ford@sju.edu
Christian Life Community Leaders
September 22-23
Contact Tinamarie Stolz, tstolz@sju.edu
Spark (first year students)
September 29-30
Contact Fr. Doug Ray, SJ, dray@sju.edu
APEX Leaders
September 30 - October 1
Contact Tricia Riordan, priordan@sju.edu
Winter Immersion Program
TBD
Contact Tinamarie Stolz, tstolz@sju.edu
Discover (students who have already gone on Search)
October 20-22
Contact Fr. Doug Ray, SJ, dray@sju.edu
Search (upper level students)
November 10-12
Contact Fr. Doug Ray, SJ, dray@sju.edu
Spring Semester
Chapel Choir
February 2-3
Contact Diane Hankee, dhankee@sju.edu
Senior Retreat
February 3-4
Contact Fr. Doug Ray, SJ, dray@sju.edu
Ignite (first year students)
February 16-18
Contact Fr. Doug Ray, SJ, dray@sju.edu
Search (upper level students)
March 15-17
Contact Fr. Doug Ray, SJ, dray@sju.edu
Spark
Spark is an overnight retreat in the early fall which is designed to help First Year Hawks
- foster new friendships
- learn the basics of Ignatian spirituality
- begin to discover what it means to be a Hawk in a fun and intentional way.
The retreat costs $30.*
The 2023 Spark retreat will be on September 29-30
Open to all First Year students
*scholarships available
We are the Now of the Church Retreat
A Student Leadership Retreat to Connect, Reflect & Dream
We are the Now of the Church! Because of YOU for the 1st time in history young people will be VOTING members of a global synod in the Catholic Church! Come explore the possibilities this opens for YOU & your communities! Register by Sept. 10th. Join with students from other Catholic colleges and universities in Philadelphia. Sponsored by SCHEAP (Synodality in Catholic Higher Education in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia)
Fri Evening thru Sat Evening September 15 - 16th, St. Raphaela Center, Haverford, $30, financial assistance available.
Contact Beth Ford McNamee at emcnamee@sju.edu for more information.
Ignite
Have you taken time to reflect on your spiritual journey and life at SJU so far?
Do you hope to build stronger friendships and get to know your fellow Hawks better?
Do you take enough time out of your busy schedule to relax and be present?
You can do ALL these things and MORE on the IGNITE RETREAT!
COME AS YOU ARE!
2024 Retreat:
February 16-18 -- open to all First Year students
Registration for this year's Ignite is now closed. Registration Ignite 2025 will open in January 2025.
The cost of the retreat is $60. Please note that all fees for this retreat are non-refundable. Scholarships are available.
Questions? Please contact Fr. Doug Ray, SJ dray@sju.edu.
Search Retreat
Search is a weekend retreat for sophomores, juniors, and seniors at Saint Joseph's University. Sophomores are particularly encouraged to come on Search.
The experience is one of renewal and reflection, with time to think, walk, pray, create, communicate, connect, laugh and rest. It is a weekend of personal and spiritual exploration.
Need time to rest? To think?
Hoping to reflect on your life - your personal identity, decisions?
Looking to find and make deeper meaning?
Seeking to build or or strengthen your relationship with God?
Open to nourishing a deeper faith life?
Whatever you are searching for, you are welcome.
A team of student leaders share stories about their own journeys and create safe spaces for community and connection. The retreat is rooted in the belief that God is love.
This Year's Dates:
November 10-12, 2023
March 15-17, 2024
Registration for the 2023-2024 Search retreats is now closed. Registration for the November 2024 Search retreat will open in the fall.
Search is the cornerstone retreat for upper level students. Sophomores are particularly encouraged to participate in Search. Juniors and Seniors who have already made the Search retreat are welcome to join the Discover retreat, which is offered in October.
Email Fr. Doug at dray@sju.edu for information on financial scholarship assistance or with any questions regarding Search or your desires for spiritual formation.
Senior Retreat
Campus Ministry desires to celebrate with you - and to celebrate YOU - with the chance to reflect upon your years at SJU with other members of the class of 2024 who have shared in your story. This will be an overnight retreat at the St. Raphaela Center in Haverford on February 3-4, 2024.
Registration is $30 and space is limited. Please note that this registration fee is non-refundable.
Registration for the Senior Retreat is now closed for this year.
Contact Fr. Doug (dray@sju.edu) for information about financial assistance or with any questions.
Discover
The Discover retreat is for juniors and seniors who have already made the Search retreat. It offers an opportunity to revisit and deepen many of the experiences from Search, with a focus on discerning where God is calling you in your life today.
Contact Fr. Doug at dray@sju.edu with any questions.
Discover will take place on the weekend of October 20-22, 2023. Eligible students will be contacted about registration in the fall.