Applications for March Kairos are open and for seniors who have not yet gone on Kairos, and this is their last opportunity to go. Kairos CLXXVI will start on Tuesday, March 12 and go to Friday, March 15. Preference will be given to seniors, but juniors who are interested will be able to go, as well. This retreat is held at the Loyola Retreat House in Faulkner, Md., and sits atop a cliff that overlooks the Potomac River.
“It’s at a great location, it’s a lot of fun and it helps bring you closer to God; anyone who hasn’t gone yet should definitely go,” said Sammy Diaz ‘24, a leader of this year’s February Kairos.
Kairos is a Catholic retreat, but you don’t need to be Catholic to go, and everyone can gain something from Kairos. Some parts of the retreat are designed to reflect on one’s relationship with God, but lots of other parts are meant for self-reflection. Retreatants can also expect to gain a new outlook on their relationships with their friends, family and peers.
“I think Kairos is a really formative experience as it is a cornerstone of the Gonzaga tradition. That’s not meant to pressure anyone who hasn’t gone, but I think you can only benefit from going,” said Luke Essig ‘24, Kairos alum and leader.
Kairos provides a lot of benefits for students. It gives students a chance to slow down and think about different situations they have been in. It also gives students an opportunity to go outside their comfort zone and get to know people that they may have not known before.
“It allows for you to connect with your brothers in a way that no other experience allows,” said Eamon Dunn ‘24, a Kairos alum.
Seniors who have not gone on Kairos may not have gone for a number of reasons. Some seniors want to go but have not been chosen to go on past Kairoses, but now since seniors have priority any senior that wants to go on Kairos can go. Some seniors also are not interested in Kairos, or they feel that since they are not religious Kairos might not be for them.
“It’s just not something that’s ever really appealed to me as a whole; it just does not seem like something that is for me,” said Andrew Lavella ‘24, a senior who has not yet gone on Kairos.
Any senior who wants to go on Kairos this March will be able to go and should register. Seniors who have not gone yet should open to the idea of going because Kairos is for everyone, no matter your spirituality.
“Everyone should be open to Kairos because it really is a life-changing experience. It is ok to not go, and no one should be pressured into going, but for seniors who have not gone yet, they should definitely look into going this March,” said Nate Gretschel ‘24.
