“O Christ, I unite my sufferings to Yours, my pains with Your pains, as I look at Your head, crowned with thorns.” – St. Rafka (1832 – 1914)

We, Grade 7 students, had never been to a spiritual retreat before, so we didn’t know what to expect. We jumped on the bus excitedly accompanied by Fr. Mansour Zaidan and Ms. Yvette Makhlouf. Just as we arrived at Himlaya, the hometown of St. Rafca, we were introduced to what that day actually meant. First, we were divided into groups to play different scenes from the Bible. After each group had finished its scene, we took a small break to eat and relax. We felt inner peace all around us. Next, it was time for mass; but it was not like any other. The purpose of this beautiful day started to unfold. After mass, we visited the hill where St. Rafca used to go and pray; It was calm and comforting.

Our last stop was at her home for a final prayer. While praying, I couldn’t see anything, hear anyone, or feel the presence of any student or teacher. It was as if God and I were the only ones in this world. Finally, we went back to school not forgetting how much the day had truly changed us.

By Peter Karam - Grade 7E