Relaxation Retreat at Big Chill

The Thomas P. Joyce '59 Contemplative Center, a serene haven less than 20 minutes away from the College of the Holy Cross, offers a tranquil escape for students and alumni seeking reflection, prayer, and recharging. Spanning 33,800 square feet across a 52-acre hilltop site in the Wachusett Reservoir, the Center serves as the home for retreats that help individuals recharge and reflect.

Recently, two seniors, Ralph Carbone and David Brush, attended a retreat at the Center to recharge and reflect on their final semester on the Hill. The retreat, named "Big Chill Retreat," provided an opportunity for students to learn a new type of meditation and spend their time as they chose, with options including art, snowshoeing, napping, and eating.

For Carbone, the retreat was primarily a time for meditation and a break from campus life. He found the lack of a set itinerary beneficial, allowing him to bond with old friends and meet new ones. Brush, on the other hand, appreciated the opportunity to disconnect from campus and connect with himself and others.

Both seniors left the retreat feeling rested, recharged, and with a sense of direction for their future. The retreat was described as an opportunity to re-energize and reflect, providing a brief time away from campus to connect with oneself and others.

The Joyce Contemplative Center is not only for students but also open to alumni. Montserrat students are required to attend an afternoon retreat at the Center, which offers spiritual retreats in addition to the secular ones. However, the name of the director of the Center, officially opened in September 2022, is not provided in the available search results.

The Joyce Contemplative Center provides a much-needed space for students and alumni alike to find peace, reflection, and rejuvenation, making it an invaluable resource for the College of the Holy Cross community.