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Grace That Overflows: Fall Retreat Ignites Faith on Campus
Maria Presta
God’s grace was truly overflowing on our Fall Retreat. What a special weekend! Over 200 students joined us, and each one encountered the Lord in a personal and profound way. I was so blessed to witness God’s goodness being poured out on His beloved sons and daughters.
From the moment students arrived—many having never met their carpool group—Christ began building community. Strangers returned as friends, sharing faith stories and newfound zeal. Students who once attended Sunday Mass simply out of obligation returned longing for more… more prayer, more Jesus, more of His presence in their daily lives. They came back to campus committed to Holy Hours, daily Mass, and persevering in prayer. Only God can do that.
Let me paint the picture.
The retreat was short, yes—but God’s grace knows no bounds and is never limited by time. Each day provided space for prayer, Mass, Reconciliation, spiritual direction, formation talks, and genuine fellowship. Whether students were playing pool (or swimming in it!), volleyball or basketball, getting launched into the lake, riding bikes, or swing dancing by the bonfire… they were encountering Christ through joy, through community, and through the sacraments.
Our keynote speakers, Johnny and Justine Donahue, centered the retreat around the Gospel story of Mary and Martha. They highlighted Jesus’ words to Martha: “There is need of only one thing.” And what is the “one thing”? To sit at the feet of Jesus. To listen. To share your heart. To pray. Throughout the weekend, students were formed in how to live in communion with God now—how to surrender everything so that, when we die, we simply continue the communion with Him that has already begun.
Men and women also had separate sessions focused on their identity as beloved sons and daughters of God. Many students heard truth spoken into their hearts in a way they never had before.
But the most powerful moment of the retreat was Adoration. On Saturday night, Fr. Chris processed Jesus in the monstrance, moving through the room so that every student came face-to-face with the Lord. Students wept, smiled, bowed their heads in reverence, and gazed at Jesus with a love that can only come from recognizing Him as Lord. Meanwhile, the religious sisters, the priests, and we missionaries offered prayer ministry—inviting students into healing, forgiveness, trust, and deeper surrender.
This flowed into all-night Adoration. The moment Jesus was placed in the chapel, students flocked there and signed up to stay awake with Him through the night. Prayer continued into the early hours, and the bonfire continued to be a place of fellowship, s’mores, laughter, music, and even dancing. It was wholesome. It was joyful. It was holy.
Returning to campus, I didn’t expect to see the fruits this quickly—but praise God, they are abundant. Students are seeking Bible studies, asking for Adoration times, joining us for daily Mass (even the 7 AM!), and running to the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Only the Holy Spirit could stir hunger like this.
Praise God for His goodness and for His generous outpouring of grace! May He continue to bless these beloved students throughout the rest of this Jubilee Year—and may we be found worthy to keep witnessing Christ’s love flowing from this retreat into our campus and beyond.
