Loyola is a private, English, Jesuit, Catholic, boys’ high school in Montreal, Quebec. Although this description is fairly comprehensive, it does not adequately portray an environment that challenges students to explore a variety of educational opportunities. Loyola’s objective is to form men that are loving, open to growth, intellectually competent, religious and committed to doing justice. These five characteristics are rooted in the school’s motto, “Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam” – to the greater glory of God. This spirit infuses all that happens at Loyola, from academics to athletics, from clubs to concert bands.

Loyola takes these five core beliefs and develops them into a meaningful retreat program that begins on the first day students in Grade Seven step into the school. These retreats blend religious understanding, class bonding and reflective activities so that students can develop a personal relationship with God. These experiences lead up to the Grade-Eleven Kairos, which is the highlight of most graduates' final year.

Kairos, meaning God’s time, is a four-day retreat that is led by students. It is intense, life changing and fortifies us for challenges coming our way once we graduate. The retreat allows us to take a break from subjects like English, French, and Math to really appreciate God’s hand helping to shape and transform our lives.

I was blessed with the opportunity to be one of the student leaders of the first Kairos of this academic year. The presentations focusing on specific topics like leadership and sacraments inspired in-depth discussions and created connections between students. Prayer services and Masses stimulated questioning and deepened of our faith commitment. The atmosphere was moving because of the openness and generosity of retreatants who willingly shared their personal thoughts and compelling stories, assured of confidentiality.

It was difficult to return to everyday life following the Kairos experience.  Those who have attended one, whatever their religious background, remember this special time when they need motivation, fortification and inspiration in their daily lives.

Essentially, Kairos encouraged me to put love into action and serve others, for God's glory. As Fr. Michael Czerny, SJ pointed out when addressing hopeful graduates recently, Loyola can be thought of as a “ … vocational school, where students are guided on a journey of discovering what God calls them to do”. Kairos impelled me and my peers to strive toward this goal.

After ten successful years, this retreat has become ingrained into Loyola's culture and mindset. Through Kairos, Loyola students come to know and experience the enduring nature of Christian values that are modeled and lived through retreat programs. Kairos particularly nourished and strengthened my Catholic beliefs in a profound and memorable way that surely will sustain me in my future endeavours.