Rainy Day Reflections: Third Form Retreat Explores Gratitude & Grace

October 8 may have been a dreary day, but the rain did not dampen the spirits of the Third Formers during their first retreat at Canterbury. Students embraced the opportunity to reflect, connect, and grow—both spiritually and as a community. 

The retreat centered on the Examen Prayer, created by St. Ignatius of Loyola to help people see where and how God is present in their daily lives. Though it is widely considered a “beginner-friendly” prayer, the Examen leads to deep reflection. Rather than focusing on one day, students looked back at their first month at Canterbury—what they’ve learned, experienced, and witnessed so far. 

The prayer has five steps: 

1. Presence: intentionally place yourself in God’s presence
2. Gratitude: recognize and give thanks for the ways God is active in your life
3. Review: recall moments when you felt God’s presence, especially through emotion
4. Sorrow: consider what you might have done differently—not from shame, but from humility
5. Grace: make a plan to move forward while praying for guidance

Traditionally, the retreat takes place over the course of a hike in Lover’s Leap State Park along the Housatonic River. But the drizzly conditions kept the Third Formers on campus, , trekking to different locations across our hilltop.

“This small hiccup did not do anything to dim our Third Formers' enthusiasm and interest in the retreat,” says Mr. Leeuw, Director of the D'Amour Center for Faith, Service, and Justice. “I was very impressed by their  ability to adapt.”

At each stop, students reflected, journaled, and shared conversations about their experiences. They wrote letters to themselves, including one they’ll open in four years before graduation. Those letters were placed on the altar in the Chapel of Our Lady before closing with a final prayer and a “picnic” lunch in the Steers Center.

“I think this was a great experience for not just me but the whole Third Form,” says Mason Imhoff. “I felt very comfortable talking to my group about mistakes I’ve made without feeling ashamed. I learned that you should make the most out of the opportunities you have. I am very grateful for this experience.”

Faculty left with similar reflections—gratitude for a day that reminded them of what makes this community special.

“It was a good reminder of how special our hilltop community is in welcoming others, building community, and being intentional in our time together,” Mr. Leeuw reflects.

The spirit of Examen is something students will continue to hold onto throughout their time at Canterbury—to see their time as opportunity, and to have the courage to continue to challenge themselves, grow, and connect.

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