While many Loyola students are gearing up for Carnival season, one Loyola event offers the opposite of the Mardi Gras ruckus: the silent Emmaus retreat.

The Emmaus retreat is a daylong retreat organized by University Ministry. The retreat will be Feb. 4. Participants will focus on becoming one with God through prayer and scripture readings.

Laura Alexander, the associate minister for retreats and Christian Life Communities, said she enjoys the Emmaus retreat and hopes that many undergraduate students
will attend.

According to Alexander, the retreat will only be one day this year, rather than a full weekend like it’s been in the past.

“We’ll have a lot of quiet time for reflection and some beautiful prayer experiences. We just won’t be sleeping away from campus,” Alexander said.

Alexander said students attending the retreat can anticipate not just a feeling of serenity, but also a sense of oneness with God in creation.

“The goal of Emmaus is to help students get away, disconnect, and be still with God. It can be hard to pray when we’re constantly plugged in and rushing from one thing to the next. This retreat is really a chance to mindfully step away from all that and to listen to God who is always present and listening to us,” Alexander said.

The cost for the Emmaus retreat is $10 with financial assistance available. It is available for all undergraduate students, and those who wish to attend must register by Jan. 27 on the University Ministry website.