Students Rediscover Childlike ‘Wonder’ at UST’s Fall Retreat

University of St. Thomas Campus Ministry led 99 enthusiastic students on its annual Fall Retreat from Sept. 26-28, 2025, to Forest Glen Camp & Retreats. With the theme of "Wonder," inspired by Matthew 18:3 in Scripture, students were encouraged to remember the childlike awe and wonder for the Lord.

The Rev. Eduardo Rivera, CSB, said it was incredible to see so many UST students want to grow in their relationships with God.

"I was struck with awe and wonder at the way that God is moving in the hearts of our students," he said. "During our time in Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, I saw firsthand how our students truly felt the presence of Christ walking among them. Their faith continues to inspire me every day."

Graduating Senior Aiden Crawford said he's been on this annual retreat since 2023 and he looks forward to it every year.

"The activities, reflection and closeness I enjoy with my classmates is truly unique; it is unlike any other experience the University offers," Crawford said. "Together with old and new friends, I get to step away from the busy day-to-day routine and gain a new perspective out in nature. We all get to grow in our relationships, our faith and our community. Then, when we return to UST, we do so with clearer hearts and minds. The fun and leisure we enjoy inspires us to dedicate ourselves further to our lives as students."

Students enjoy time in Mass, prayerful reflection and Adoration in front of the Blessed Sacrament, but they also are able to experience paddleboarding, karaoke, skits and many outdoor activities as a group.

In all of this fun and excitement, Campus Minister Pat Gunning said the goal was to continue helping students to see the world with the eyes of child-like wonder.

"Jesus said that we must become like children to enter the Kingdom of Heaven, so with this theme we went deeper on this important notion from Jesus by learning how to surrender ourselves in trust of God who has a great plan for us, much like children to their parents, as well as see the hope and joy of life as a child of God," Gunning said.

Sophomore Melissa Garza was both on the leadership team for planning the retreat and was charged with documenting the experience through photo and video through internships with both Campus Ministry and MAX Studios.

"Capturing and getting to witness those on retreat through the lens was one of the things that made the retreat so amazing for me," Garza said. "It's not only glorifying God in the gifts that he's given me but also encapsulating the moments that people can go back to and say, 'I remember the graces that God gave me; I remember the feeling that I had at Adoration; I remember those friends that made me feel seen; I remember God."

Garza also commented that, while filming, she could see people encounter the Lord in their friends, in the testimonies, in the games and even in silence.

"It was like I had Jesus goggles on and He was allowing me to see his children like He sees us, and I got to let everyone see it too," she said. "Even editing was so prayerful because I was just watching back how the Lord was transforming everyone in different ways."

Retreat attendees and the Campus Ministry team celebrated the retreat by hosting a watch party for the video to take in the experience all over again.

"The live premiere of the Fall Retreat video - it was like everyone was transported back to that weekend and it was as if they were reliving it. Things that they might have forgotten were brought back, feelings that they thought went missing were suddenly so prominent, and the eyes of awe and wonder came back so quickly as they were seeing what they looked like being fully childlike in their faith. It wasn't just a video; it was a testimony for everyone."

See the Fall Retreat video on the UST YouTube Channel or on Instagram. For more information about Campus Ministry and how to get involved, see their Instagram feed.