Friday-Sunday, March 24-26, 2023

The Confirmation 3-day retreat, themed "Be Real. Be Human. Be the Light", was developed and hosted by the ADMA-Y Leaders and a dedicated team of volunteers for over 100 confirmation students at the Irvine Ranch Outdoor Education Center. The retreat began on Friday afternoon, where students arrived and were reminded of the purpose of the weekend: to deepen their faith and build a community with peers who shared similar experiences and seeing the world in bigger lens. This set a powerful tone for the days ahead.

While only a few ADMA-Y facilitators and volunteers were fortunate to get 1-2 hours of sleep the first night, they worked tirelessly to ensure the retreat was an unforgettable experience for the students. Meals were prepared on-site by two ADMA family members and other Salesian parishioners, offering warm, delicious food like pupusas and hamburgers, along with snacks throughout the day, which kept the energy high and the atmosphere communal.

The second night ended with a deeply moving adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, providing a sacred moment for reflection and prayer. For those students who couldn’t sleep after the encounter, they were invited to join the ADMA-Y facilitators in the late evening rosary prayer in the common area. Many students participated, creating a peaceful and spiritual late-night connection.

The following morning, after breakfast, the students gathered in an outdoor amphitheater to celebrate Mass, where they actively participated in the Liturgy of the Word. After Mass, the students packed up to head home, filled with new insights and a renewed commitment to live out their faith journeys, carrying the retreat's lessons with them. This retreat offered a transformative and memorable experience, allowing the students to connect with their faith, each other, and the broader community.