At Mount Carmel, the Kairos retreat is a requirement for the entire Senior Class. This year, students chose from among three dates to participate: either October 14-17, December 9-12, or March 24-27.

On the morning they are to depart rom school, students go to the chapel at Mount Carmel to pray about the journey that is to come. After this they board a bus and make their way to the retreat center which is located in Des Plaines, IL. Students live there for four days and spend much of their time with each other.

As one of the participants in the October Kairos, I discovered that it’s the opportunity to seize “God’s moment” for growth, and to reflect on being the best you can be. Personally, I’ve learned so much from this retreat; it altered my views on life and God. I spent three days in spiritual connection with God, without  cell phones or television, or any outside distractions that would take my focus away from God.

I must admit that before I got there, I feared that it would be a waste of time. However, as the minutes became hours and the hours became days, I began to reflect on my life and previous situations and gradually began to feel a deeper connection between me and God. Something hit me. I became very relieved and just mentally happy. I began acting differently, thinking differently, and just became an all-around better me.

Although it was a very serious time, it was also a time for fun; I got the chance to talk to friends and express certain things to them that I hadn’t even expressed to my family. The group of men that shared this experience with me not only became better friends, they were my family now.

However, some may forget or simply go back to the way they were after returning to school. Therefore the 4th Day, which is the day where you reflect and put your changes into actions, is the most important. It is there to help remind you of God’s presence, remind you of the change you made or can make, and reminds you of who you are. The day I got home from the retreat, my grandma started noticing the change in me. I carried myself in a different way, I had more confidence, and I wasn’t so close-minded. My perspective on people changed. I learned not to judge, but to meet and respect others.

Kairos changed my life; anyone that comes across this opportunity, take it!