This year’s Antioch Theme is the Camino de Santiago de Compostela.

We are all longing for a journey. Coming out of the Pandemic, we realize how we have been disconnected from ourselves, with our community, and with our God. We have to step out and once again to take up a journey to which the Lord is calling us. We go on this spiritual journey because we want to reconnect with ourselves, our community and with our God.

The Camino theme is meaningful to the directors of this year’s Antioch Retreat. Kasia walked the Camino, and Fr JC lived in Spain during his seminary years. They both have experienced the richness of the symbols and significance of what it means to “walk the Camino”. Our Pastor Fr. Bob, whose parish was St. James (Santiago) in Springfield before coming to Presentation, also is very much familiar with the meaning of the Camino.

We are also building up from the Freshmen-Sophomore theme last Fall: “Look up! We’re on Safari”. The theme speaks to us of our youth wanting to learn and observe – and their readiness to “take it all in” and open their eyes to the wonders of God in this modern age.

Antioch is a huge part of the spirituality of our Young Adult Ministry here at Presentation. Antioch is a real foundation for many young adult Christians in our parish. Therefore, we are taking on the challenge of a spiritual journey – the Camino, as a response to the Pope’s present call for a Church Synod on Synodality – to walk together as a people of God. We believe that through us young adults and teens, God is building up a strong foundation for a community of faith, that will prepare pathways for future generations to walk on.

“[The Camino] is a way sown with so many demonstrations of fervor, repentance, hospitality, art and culture which speak to us eloquently of the spiritual roots of the Old Continent.” (Pope Benedict XVI).