Secret Escape: Big Chill Retreat Revealed

The Joyce Contemplative Center, located less than 20 minutes away from the College of the Holy Cross campus, provides a tranquil haven for students seeking a break from the hustle and bustle of campus life. Spanning 33,800 square feet on a 52-acre hilltop site in the Wachusett Reservoir, this center offers a unique space for students to disconnect from campus and connect with themselves and others.

The recently opened Thomas P. Joyce '59 Contemplative Center, which followed nearly a year and a half of construction, has become a popular destination for students and alumni seeking opportunities for reflection, prayer, and recharging. The center serves as the home for retreats that help students find balance and direction, such as the College's "Big Chill Retreat."

During the Big Chill Retreat, students are given the freedom to choose how they spend their time, with options for activities such as artwork, snowshoeing, napping, and eating good food. The retreat also offers a chance to learn a new type of meditation, providing students with tools for mindfulness and self-care.

Seniors Ralph Carbone and David Brush recently attended the retreat to recharge and reflect on their final semester on the Hill. Carbone spent most of the retreat meditating and taking a break from campus life, while Brush enjoyed the lack of a set itinerary, bonding with old friends and meeting new ones. Both left the retreat feeling rested, recharged, and with a sense of direction for their future.

The Joyce Contemplative Center is not exclusive to the College of the Holy Cross. Students from other colleges are also welcome to attend retreats at the center. In fact, Montserrat students are required to attend an afternoon retreat at the Joyce Contemplative Center.

The center's mission to provide a space for students to disconnect from campus and connect with themselves and others has resonated with many. Both Carbone and Brush felt grateful for the opportunity to spend time at the Joyce Contemplative Center before graduating.

The Joyce Contemplative Center offers spiritual retreats for those seeking a deeper connection with themselves and their community. Whether you're a student looking for a break from campus life or a graduate seeking a place to reflect, the Joyce Contemplative Center is a destination worth exploring.