“If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?” Matthew 16:24

From January 9th-10th, St. Thomas sophomores attended their annual retreat at Camp Cho-Yeh, which focuses on making sense of suffering. Students learned that suffering can be transformed into personal and spiritual growth, by leaning on their shared brotherhood and Basilian values.

“The key takeaway is understanding that life is challenging—sometimes more so for some than others,” Director of Campus Ministry Andrew Quittenton said. “However, these challenges become far easier to bear when you surrender them to Christ and surround yourself with supportive men and women who can help you navigate the struggles.”

Just as Jesus went into the wilderness to prepare for the challenges of His ministry, these young men left the comfortable hallways of 4500 Memorial for an outdoor experience designed to strengthen their bonds of brotherhood through physically demanding activities. Highlights of the retreat included Confession, Adoration, Mass, and team-building exercises.

After surveying the sophomores, the top events they enjoyed this year included listening to guest speaker John Sage (’66) who spoke to the young men about transforming pain and suffering into something meaningful. The students also marked the Stations of the Cross and obstacle course as a key moment of meaning. During the obstacle course, students worked together to carry 1,000-pound logs, pausing at each Station of the Cross along the way to pray.

 

“This year, the young men displayed remarkable reverence and genuine engagement in all the activities, approaching each with open hearts and minds,” Quittenton said. “I was truly amazed to witness 200 students rise and willingly go to confession.”

Year after year, students on the retreat gain a greater understanding of the human experience, the importance of community, and leave better equipped to face our complicated world.

For senior Nicolas Requenes, who attended the retreat as a sophomore and again this year as a Senior Leader, the retreat provided a moment of spiritual reflection and an opportunity to pass the torch of St. Thomas brotherhood onto the underclassmen.

“The Sophomore Retreat during my sophomore year allowed me to learn about perseverance through the Passion of Jesus and how we too, following His teaching and examples, can persevere through tough times in our own lives,” he shared. “My perspective changed when I attended as a Senior Leader because I was able to see the teachings of Jesus shine light on the sophomores and how they too can persevere through their own struggles.”