Retreats
The newness and busyness of life at Fairfield can be overwhelming. In the spirit and tradition of Ignatian Spirituality, Campus Ministry offers several retreat experiences to meet a wide range of spiritual needs. If you are looking to refresh your faith life and grow in your relationship with others, yourself and God, we have something for you!
 First Year Student Retreats |
 Kairos |
 19th Annotation Retreat |
 Multi-Faith Retreat |
 Lenten Busy Student Retreat |
 Silent Retreat |
 Spiritual Direction Formation Program |
First Year Retreats
Escape Retreat
Friday, Sept. 21 - Saturday, Sept. 22, 2012
Friday, Feb. 8 - Saturday, Feb. 9, 2013
Join other first-year students for a fun getaway and conversations about faith, friendships, and the journey ahead at Fairfield University. Don't miss out on this fun opportunity to get off campus build friendships, reflect on your time at Fairfield and find out how exploring your faith-life can enhance your experience at Fairfield. (Campfire, crafts, games and quiet time included!)
- Who: Open to all first-year students
- Cost: $35 (Financial Aid available!)
- Where: Camp Washington, Lakeside, CT (transportation provided)
For more information, contact: Gregory Vigliotta or call (203) 254-4000 ext. 2415.
Kairos
Kairos Retreat
Kairos, adapted to mean "God's time", is an intensive, three day, weekend experience that invites close examination of our relationships with God, ourselves, and others in a communal and reflective setting. This Catholic & Ignatian Retreat welcomes students of all faiths as well as those with no particular faith background and is open to anyone who has not attended a Kairos Retreat before.
Retreat Dates for 2012-13
- Kairos 22: November 30 - December 2, 2012
- Kairos 23: March 22 - March 24, 2013
Sign-ups are currently closed
Kairos Community
If you have participated in a Kairos Retreat before, we welcome you to the Fairfield University Kairos Community. You are encouraged to apply to be a Kairos leader and participate in Community activities, such as Fourth Day, which occur, regularly throughout each semester.
Download leadership application.
4th Day Gatherings
These are monthly meetings of alumni of the Kairos Retreats (students who have made Kairos either in high school or here at Fairfield University) who gather to further reflect on the themes of the retreat.
Please contact Gregory Vigliotta with questions at (203) 254-4000 ext. 2415
19th Annotation Retreats
Retreat in Daily Life
The 19th Annotated Retreat or the "Retreat in Daily Life" is open to faculty, administration, and staff. This retreat provides a year-long, individually directed experience with the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius Loyola.
Contact: Fr. James Bowler, S.J., ext. 3248
Multi-Faith Retreat
G.I.F.T. Growing in Faith Together
What: An off-campus weekend experience for students to learn about the religious backgrounds and experiences of others through presentations, conversations and opportunities for reflection.
Sign-ups are currently closed.
Students of all religious and non-religious backgrounds are invited to attend this retreat experience where participants will have the opportunity to engage in meaningful dialogue with other students and chaplains from a broad range of faith traditions. This retreat is being facilitated through the collaboration of our University chaplains, with the goal of celebrating religious diversity while building bridges across traditions. This retreat will provide students an opportunity to deepen their understanding of both the religious experiences of others and their own religious identities.
Please contact Gregory Vigliotta with questions at (203) 254-4000 ext. 2415
Lenten Busy Student Retreat
The Lenten Busy Student Retreat is free and takes place over three weeks, on campus, in the midst of your everyday life. There are no requirements or prerequisites; anyone can make this retreat. Many people find it a great way to incorporate some form of intentional prayer and spiritual growth into their everyday lives.
The retreat has three components:
- Time to Pray
Utilizing the Prayer Guide provided by Campus Ministry, participants commit to 20 minutes of prayer everyday for the duration of the retreat. - Companions
Students will be assigned with a Campus Minister with whom they will meet three times over the course of the retreat. These are half-hour individual meetings with any of several campus ministers to discuss any issues relating to one's life, faith and prayer experience.
- Community Gatherings
The retreat offers opportunities for everyone participating in the retreat to gather for guided meditations and reflection. Participants receive a calendar of the gathering times with other events after signing up.
Gatherings: 6:00 p.m. in Campus Ministry
Thursday - February 14 - Info Session and Reflection
Thursday - February 21 - Reflection and Fellowship
Thursday - February 28 - Reflection and Fellowship
Thursday - March 7
- Reflection and Community Dinner
Sign Ups are currently closed
Please contact Gregory Vigliotta with questions at (203) 254-4000 ext. 2415
Spiritual Exercises Retreat
Enjoy the bonds of silence, common meals, group prayer, and celebration of the Sacraments
⢠What do you desire? ⢠What is God inviting you to?
⢠What are the movements of your heart? ⢠Do you desire freedom and inner peace?
⢠How do you integrate your faith with decisions you make in your life?
An adapted version of the Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius Loyola, founder of the Jesuits, this five-day silent retreat is an opportunity for reflection and prayer. In silence, students are given the opportunity to reflect more deeply about their faith, the power of Godâs love for them, and their relationship to others. In addition to time for personal prayer, reflection and liturgies, thematic talks are given by the Chaplain and retreat directors to help assist in the faith journey.
Students will have the opportunity to experience individual spiritual direction, in order to further reflect on your experience of prayer and how it is that God may be speaking to you. All who are seeking a more intimate knowledge of themselves, their faith, and developing their relationship with Jesus are invited on this retreat. Embrace a "creative silence" and participate in Scriptural meditations and guided prayer based on the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. .
Where: St. Edmund's Enders Island
When: March 10-March 15, 2013 (Spring Break)
Cost: $150
Sign-ups are currently closed
For more information or questions about financial assistance, contact: Gregory Vigliotta or call (203) 254-4000 ext. 2415.
Spiritual Direction Formation Program
Fairfield University is pleased to announce that our Spiritual Direction Formation Program will be offered in North Carolina, beginning in August 2013. This program will be held at St. Francis Springs Prayer Center in Stoneville, NC (just north of Greensboro). The Rev. James Bowler, S.J., a longtime member of the Fairfield faculty and administration, will lead the North Carolina program.
Program highlights:
- Focus is on the experience and practice of spiritual direction and the candidate's ongoing relationship with God.
- Program occurs in 4 cycles over a 4 year period, integrating theology, spirituality and supervised practice in giving spiritual direction. Students may enter at any cycle.
- Requires only 1 week residency per year; remainder of year is spent in distance learning and consultation quarterly with your faculty advisor (course materials provided; books purchased separately)
- Residency: St. Francis Springs Prayer Center, Stoneville, NC
- Next residency week: August 25-31, 2013
- Upon completion of all four cycles, graduates receive a certificate in Spiritual Direction or, for those who have discerned this is not their calling, a certificate in Spirituality. Certificates are awarded by Fairfield University
Application Deadline: May 31, 2013
For more information, contact Maria Decsy, Ph.D, Program Director at mmdecsy@aol.com
Visit the Spiritual Direction Formation Program website for more information