Francesca Vaccaro, biochemistry junior, attended her first Awakening retreat during the spring semester of her freshmen year. The memory of the trip has been stuck in her mind ever since.

“I had an amazing time. For me it was a great way to start to understand where I fit into the larger community of Loyola. It was the first weekend where I could take some time to reconnect with myself and connect with others, so it is a very special memory,” Vaccaro said.

The student-led Awakening retreats are held once a semester.  This spring, the dates are March 20-22.  The price is $40, and financial aid is available for students.

Vaccaro said she first heard about the retreat from her Christian Life Community.

“I was exposed to Awakening through my CLC freshmen year. I had a group that was mostly upperclassmen who made it a rule that the freshmen in the group had to attend Awakening by the end of the year. I did not get to go my first semester, but I heard my CLC talk about it, and I knew that I had to go second semester,” Vaccaro said.

Vaccaro has been on the Awakening retreat staff twice.

“I love going back because I want other students at Loyola to have a positive memory with Awakening like I do,” Vaccaro said.

This semester’s retreat rectors are Emily Szklarski and Connor Burke.

“Awakening should totally be on your bucket list of things to do before you graduate,” Szklarski said.

Szklarski, psychology senior, said she has been part of the Awakening community since her freshmen year.

“You get to be away for a weekend without worrying about what time it is or the list of things you have to do. It’s time to think and time to meet new people,” Szklarski said. “Throughout the weekend there are talks by students, campfires, small group discussions, the best spinach dip you’ll ever eat, down time and lots of surprises.”

A’Niya Robinson, political science junior, has been on several different staffs for Awakening retreats since attending her freshman year. She has been responsible for preparing meals and leading small groups.

“Awakening was yet another different experience on top of everything else new that year, but it helped me make that transition into being a better young adult and person. All it took was a little trust and patience, and it ended up being one of my best experiences at Loyola,” Robinson said.

For Szklarski, Awakening will always have a special place in her heart.

“This community has helped me grow not just in spirituality but I’ve grown because of the encouragement and comfort to be totally and completely myself,” Szklarski said.

After years of being a participant and staff member, Vaccaro said she encourages all students to sign up for the retreat.

“Students should go because Awakening is something that you must experience for yourself because no two experiences are exactly the same,” Vaccaro said. “If you have never been on a retreat, this is a wonderful place to start. If you have been on hundreds of retreats, then Awakening is a wonderful retreat to be renewed by the gifts of the Loyola community.”