Lighting the Pathways: Alumni Spirituality Programs on the Rise

Thirty young alumni returned to the Heights the weekend of June 13-15 for a Pathways retreat that offered them a chance to reflect on their lives, their vocations, and their futures. Inspired by popular undergraduate retreats such as Intersections and 48HOURS, this spirituality program allowed alumni to rekindle the Ignatian tradition of prayer, reflection, and open communication with others.

“Getting to know yourself and your passions in life isn’t the easiest thing to do for anyone,” says Dianne Duffin ’63, associate director of the Alumni Association’s Office of Spirituality and Service. “The Pathways retreat was a way for those who graduated within the last decade to take part in this process of self-discovery while examining the larger and deeper meaning of one’s vocation.

Several alumni attended the retreat as guest speakers to share insights gained from their post-graduation journeys. “I learned a great deal from hearing the stories of the speakers and the other participants,” offers Emily Brady ’04, MA’07, one of the attendees. “The retreat helped me move along in my struggle to find joy and fulfillment in my life and the things I’m doing.”

While Pathways is the most recent spirituality event offered by the Office of Spirituality and Service, it’s only part of its greater effort to engage all alumni.

The retreat came on the heels of several spirituality programs, including a Lenten Breakfast Series held in February and March at the BC Club in downtown Boston, which attracted hundreds of alumni of all ages. “The breakfast series addressed many larger issues, but one was how to bring faith into the reality of the workplace,” notes Dan Leahy ’82, M.Ed.’91, assistant director of the Office of Spirituality and Service. Based on the success of such offerings, the office will continue to invest in programs that will appeal to BC’s broad alumni base.