The Kairos Retreat has been a long-standing tradition at Xaverian dating back to its beginnings in 2014, enabling students to grow closer to their peers and God, and really get a chance to reflect on themselves and their lives so far. On February 1st, yet another Boys Kairos kicked off for the weekend.

This particular retreat included 68 juniors and seniors and 16 senior leaders and took place at The Don Bosco Retreat Center in Rockland, NY. 

Mr. Patrick Drexler ’05, Assistant Director of Campus Ministry, shared, “I think that girls tend to be a bit more open sooner, but believe it or not the boys get more emotional because opening up is so unique for them; I think girls are more willing to talk about their feelings.” 

One of the main focuses of the retreat is giving students an opportunity to self-reflect, find what they might think they did wrong or right, and decide where they should go from there for the betterment of their future. Yes, it is about a connection with God but also with yourself.

Mr. Drexler continued to mention, “It’s not as heavy on God as you would think; it’s more about self and what you guys are going through as teenagers.”

On the retreat, senior leaders pick their groups, pick the retreat’s colors, write their talks, run their groups, and more. This position allows them to take a leadership role before graduation and really embrace their experience from last year to give to others and allow them to fully achieve their experience as well. 

President of the student body, Luca Friedman ’24 went on this weekend’s Kairos as a senior leader, having attended as a junior last year. He shared how he wanted to go as a junior because it was a mystery to him, and he wanted to see it for himself and what it did. 

When asked why he wanted to return, he said, “I wanted to offer the same experience I had as a junior. We all share a special connection from Kairos unlike any other.”

Junior Adam Najar ’25 also attended over the weekend, sharing how it was meaningful to him because it “opened up my mind to the people around me.” 

He went on to say, “I became so much closer with so many other people that I never thought I would because I was actually talking to these people and having conversations rather than passing by everyone in the hallways. Listening to what everyone has to say and seeing that a lot of people share the same interests as me brought me closer to them.”

It was another successful Kairos Retreat for the students with their goals to connect with themselves and each other. Both junior and senior girls and boys can participate in hopes of reflection and preparation for their future. If you’re interested in participating in the Kairos Retreat, be sure to reach out to Campus Ministry.