Retreats

The retreat program at St. Xavier is designed to give students at each grade level opportunities to develop spiritually by recognizing God in the people and events of their lives. This is one of the most direct ways we fulfill our mission of helping students bring their faith values to their daily lives. A variety of activities are used to bring students together and to help them reflect on Christian values and teachings: liturgies and prayer services, peer leadership, music, films, presentations, journal, quiet prayer time, recreation, small and large group discussions and sharing.

Freshman Emmaus Retreat

The Emmaus Retreat is a 3 day experiential retreat held at St. Xavier. The Emmaus Retreat focuses on relationships. Relationship with self, friends, parents, and most importantly God. Small group faith sharing, student led prayer services, Reconciliation, service projects, candle lit mass, and a closing ceremony are just a few of the highlights of the retreat.

Sophomore Retreats

The Campus Ministry Department is pleased to offer a variety of retreat options in the sophomore year. The focus of the sophomore program is “the principle of sacramentality”: God’s grace is mediated through a variety of ways and symbols. Hence, sophomores have the option to choose from outdoors retreats, photography retreats, service retreats, meditation retreats, and other unique experiences. We believe this allows for greater flexibility, and hopefully the chance for students to enter into experiences that are of most interest to them. More information will be distributed and posted here as sophomore retreats are finalized for the 2024-25 school year.

Junior Retreats

We are pleased to offer three options for the Junior Retreat:

Option 1 – Principle & Foundation takes place in the Pavilion of the Jesuit Spiritual Center in Milford. The focus of this retreat is finding opportunities to slow down to become more present to God, self and others. This day centers on interpersonal relationships and God's active role in those relationships. Small group sharing is a large part of the experience. The retreat begins at 9AM and concludes at 6PM. Students are asked to drive themselves to/from the retreat center, or to be dropped off. Retreat details will be emailed to all participants two weeks prior to departure.

Option 2 – For & With Others takes place at the Ozanam Center of St. Vincent DePaul - downtown. This retreat centers on how we are called to share our gifts and talents in unique ways with those around us. We will hear how others have found their path toward making connections through serving others. Small group sharing plays a large part in the retreat. The day concludes with a Eucharistic liturgy presided at by a member of the Jesuit community. We will begin at 9AM and conclude at 7:15PM. Students are asked to drive themselves to/from the retreat center, or to be dropped off. Retreat details will be emailed to all participants two weeks prior to departure.

Option 3 - The Montserrat Retreat takes place at the Jesuit Spiritual Center in Milford. This day centers on interpersonal relationships and God's active role in those relationships. The retreat’s name is taken from the town where St. Ignatius committed himself to doing “great things” for Christ. Small group sharing is a large part of the experience. Our time concludes with a Eucharistic liturgy prepared by the students and presided at by a member of the Jesuit community. The retreat begins at 9AM and concludes at 6PM. Students are asked to drive themselves to/from the retreat center, or to be dropped off. Retreat details will be emailed to all participants two weeks prior to departure.

**The Junior Retreat is required for all members of the Junior class. Registration will open on Monday, April 22 at 7PM. All students must register before noon on April 26.

Senior Retreat - Kairos

Since 1985, St. Xavier High School has been offering Kairos. These optional retreats scheduled seven times a year from Tuesday evening to Friday evening at the Jesuit Spiritual Center at Milford. Led by a faculty director and a team of faculty and student leaders, these highly successful retreats have been adapted for high school from the Cursillo model and are widely employed at secondary schools across the country. For more information or to register, please click on the highlighted links below.

Kairos Information
Kairos Online Registration Instructions (Registration opens April 15 at 7:00 P.M.)
Administration of Medication Form (Must be filled out for your son to receive any prescribed medication on retreat.)

Easter Triduum Silent Retreat

Application Form

Application Form

Required

The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola are the foundational prayer experience in the life of every Jesuit. Using imaginative prayer, a retreatant imagines themselves in different situations in the Gospels. Please consider joining us at The Jesuit Spiritual Center in Milford from the afternoon of April 17^th to the evening of April 19^th (the period known as The Easter Triduum). The retreat will begin after school ends on April 17^th and will conclude with an optional communal celebration of the Easter Vigil at one of the Jesuit parishes in Cincinnati (likely St. Francis Xavier Church). Each day contains periods for silent reflection with approximately three talks each day to assist in deepening the prayer experience. Each retreatant additionally will have access to a spiritual director, who they should meet with at least once a day to talk about what is going on in their prayer. This spiritual director will be an employee of St. Xavier or a member of the Cincinnati Jesuit Community.

The cost of the retreat is $30. Financial assistance may be available if cost is a barrier.

This retreat takes place over the Easter break. Please talk with parents, coaches, moderators and employers to make sure you can take the time to be present before signing up.

When registration is complete, confirmation will be sent to the student's email address submitted on the form below. Further information regarding the retreat will be given prior to your scheduled date. It will be sent to via the email address you enter at the time of registration.

Please fill out the form below to register for this retreat.

Do you play a sport or have another major commitment during this time?

- Example – Mock Trial / TX / Mission Trip – all could be a conflict.

Sport/Commitment required

Yes

Sport/Commitment Type

Please indicate which activity you are committed to during this Kairos.

Have you cleared this retreat date with your coach/moderator/employer?required

Yes

*Many sports and activities are able to work around this absence – others are not.

You must make sure you are clear to attend before moving forward with your registration. Please stop filling out this form and check with those responsible for your sport or activity. With their approval, you may complete this registration.

Student's Preferred Namerequired

First Name

Last Name

Student's St. Xavier Email Addressrequired

Sample Student Email: BeermanT14268@stxavier.org

Student's Mobile Phone Number

Please enter number in this format: (123) 456-7890

All information in Final Forms must be completed prior to participating in this retreat. (This is typically conducted at the start of each school year.). Please visit the following link to begin the process: https://stxavier-oh.finalforms.com/

Vegetarian OptionrequiredWould you like vegetarian options for meals?

Yes

Would you like vegetarian options for meals?

Medical / Dietary ConcernsrequiredAre there any medical conditions or special dietary concerns of which staff should be advised?

Yes

Are there any medical conditions or special dietary concerns of which staff should be advised?

Medical / Dietary Concerns

If yes, please explain.

Mother's Namerequired

First Name

Last Name

Mother's Email Address

Mother's Mobile Phone Number

Please enter number in this format: (123) 456-7890

Father's Namerequired

First Name

Last Name

Father's Email Address

Father's Mobile Phone Number

Please enter number in this format: (123) 456-7890

Entering my name and today's date below signifies that I agree to participate in Kairos to the best of my ability and to abide by all school rules as well as guidelines established specifically for Kairos and the Jesuit Spiritual Center while on this retreat.

Student Signaturerequired

First Name

Last Name

Today's Daterequired

Please select today's date. (Must contain a date in M/D/YYYY format)

I request that my son be allowed to participate in this silent retreat program, sponsored by St. Xavier High School and conducted at the Jesuit Spirit Center. I understand that my son will be notified about retreat specifics several weeks prior to the date he is scheduled to attend. I understand that entering my name and today's date below signifies my consent to these arrangements. I further release St. Xavier High School and its employees from any and all liability with regard to injury or harm incurred by my son while participating in the retreat.

Parent Signaturerequired

First Name

Last Name

Today's Daterequired

Please select today's date. (Must contain a date in M/D/YYYY format)