On Friday 8th and 15th of September first year students from Coláiste na Trócaire took part in their Retreat. Their Retreat was a pilgrimage to the top of Knockfierna in Ballingarry. This gave students a chance to take time away from their busy everyday lives and to devote a special time for reflection and prayer. Before we embarked on our journey the students were asked to think of someone who they would like to remember on our pilgrimage. They were asked to collect something from the ground; a stone, a flower, a twig etc. and carry this with them to the top of Knockfierna. What they had chosen was to symbolise a person or people they wanted to remember and pray for throughout their journey.
Along the way we stopped, prayed, remembered and reflected on our symbol. When we got to the top and looked out on the magnificent view of Limerick, Clare, Tipperary, Kerry and Cork we appreciated how lucky we all were that we could see the beauty below us, hear the wind or the sound of the airplanes that flew above us. We appreciated having our health and all our limbs especially our legs that carried us on our journey. At the top, we prayed, reflected on and remembered the person or people we decided on at the beginning of our pilgrimage and we left the symbol on the cross.
When we returned we went into the Church of the Assumption in Ballingarry, where we finished our Retreat giving thanks for having a lovely day out together as a school community.
Overall students gained an insight into what it’s like to be a pilgrim. This also gave the first year students a chance to connect with each other and reflect on their friendships and the year ahead before they embark on their new school journey in Coláiste na Trócaire.
