Thirty Six students in Poetry took part in the Kairos retreat in January, 2009. Kairos is a Catholic retreat programme. It is an experience of Christian community with a series of talks given both by peers and adults. Prayer and the sacraments are an essential part of the programme. The retreat lasts for three and a half days with the challenge to continue it by living out the philosophy on an ongoing basis. The Kairos retreat programme deepens one’s Christian life in an atmosphere where ongoing religious education and formation are available.

Kairos: A student’s perspective:

What is Kairos?
The word ‘Kairos’ is defined as “A time when conditions are right for a crucial action” or “a decisive or opportune moment”. My experience of Kairos reflects that definition. Kairos is not a three day excuse to ‘chill-out’ and miss classes - Indeed, each day seemed more tiring, emotionally and physically, than one’s average school day.

Kairos is a retreat that grants Poetry students a chance to reflect on their own lives and characters; A serenity; allowing them to see and accept the God within themselves and within other people; A courage, compelling them to change what they see as wrong in their lives and in the world; and a wisdom to identify what is right and what is wrong for them.

Poetry students are guided through Kairos by several leaders, including members of staff and Rhetoric students. These leaders share their wisdom with the group; wisdom that they have developed in their lives and from past Kairos experiences. In following their guidance, Poetry students gain a confidence that allows them to open themselves up to the group and become a part of the Kairos community.

Why go on Kairos?
Kairos is without doubt the most worthwhile retreat I have been on in my time in Belvedere. In all, very few poetry students who experienced Kairos VI, if indeed any, would say it was a mere waste of time. Even of those who would say that nothing else was gained from Kairos, they would speak of the unique bonds of friendship that grew between members of the community and the sense of equality that was felt, irrespective of age or life stage.

The impact Kairos had on me

What happened in Kairos allowed me to look at myself from three different perspectives: How I see myself, how the world sees me and how God sees me. One great message that was conveyed to all, was that we have the ability to make a change that we see as moral or just. But that message had a far greater effect on me than the old and similar cliche.
- “Be the change you want to see in the world” -
-“I cannot do extaordinary things, but I can do ordinary things, extraordinarily well”
-“Waste note time arguing over what a good man should be, be one”
And most importantly -“Never look down on anyone, unless you’re helping them up”

This message instilled within me an even greater desire to help those I can help and to be socially just. As a result I have increased my involvement in the S.V.P Society, made the decision to apply for the South-Africa challenge and Lourdes, and I have made it a priority of mine, to return to Kolkata and continue the experience that began for me back in November 08.

During my four days of Kairos, I gained a lot of respect for the people of the group. That respect did not come due to any great feat that the people of the group had accomplished - it came from something a lot more simple, but virtuous nonetheless. That respect came from a powerful, raw honesty that seemed to exist in the words of all 50 members of the Kairos VI community.
-“The power of a man’s virtue should not be measured by his special efforts, but by his ordinary doings”

In any person’s life, their family and friends help shape who they become. Not only did I strengthen many friendships in Kairos, but I realised what it is, my family and friends mean to me. It’s so important to keep the right people around you, but sometimes it’s not easy to realise who those people are. Kairos taught me how to make that differentiation:
-“A true friend walks in when the rest of the world walks out”
-“Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter don’t mind”

Going into Kairos, I wondered, not only how my friends and family saw me, but how I looked in the eyes of God. I have no need to elaborate on this question. It was answered for me forever in the words I heard on the first day of Kairos VI;
-“To have been created, is to have been known, liked and loved by God”

The above is the wisdom I gained from Kairos. I don’t hesitate in saying that next year’s experience will differ from mine and from that of Kairos VI. I can promise, however, that Kairos will always be a worthwhile experience. I know this, because of the incredible force driving it on; a force in the shape of its adult and Rhetoric leaders, present, past and future.

Robert Rutledge
Poetry Xavier

The next Kairos Retreat, involving 40 students from Poetry, will take place in November, 2009 in Clongowes Wood College.