Retreat Leaders

Campus Ministry retreat leaders choose to take an active role in sharing their faith as they build a faith community on Marquette’s campus. Building on a foundation of servant leadership, retreat leaders work with a student director and campus ministry staff member to create an open and welcoming space so their peers might have an experience of God.

Retreat leaders come from different faith traditions and leadership backgrounds, and all are at different points in their faith journeys. There is no one “type” of retreat leader. Anyone who feels called to accompany others along their faith journey is welcome to apply.

Retreat leaders regularly say that leading a retreat helped them grow in faith, meet new friends, increase their understanding of servant leadership, and experience the satisfaction of working for the sake of others and seeing that work to completion. Student directors talk about the challenge and fun of leading their peers in bringing a retreat from idea to reality, and of helping to guide the retreat program as a whole. If those kinds of experiences appeal to you, then serving as a retreat leader or student director will likely be a great fit.

Graduate students are welcome to serve as retreat leaders on any retreat, as are students from all faith backgrounds. 

We are currently looking ahead at the 2025-26 school year. Consider applying to be a retreat leader! Application Form.

  • The first wave of applications deadline is Monday, April 7, 2025, at 11:59 p.m.
  • The second wave of applications deadline is Friday, April 25, 2025, at 11:59 p.m.
    • Applying through the second wave means you can still become a retreat leader but you may not get your top choices. Placement will be based on what is available. 

  • The form will ask you to pick your top 3 choices. We ask that you do not answer the same retreat for all three choices. (You can pick to lead a retreat you have not attended).

  • Prior to filling out the form, read through the catalogue of retreats (seen below) to make sure the dates and time commitments work with your schedule.
    • We are still unsure whether we will be doing the Ecojustice retreat or Finding God in All Things (FGIAT) retreat next year. For now, we will not be adding it to the catalogue. If the Ecojustice or FGIAT retreat are your top choice, answer "post-retreat mini bites" as your first choice. 

Email pablo.cardenal@marquette.edu if you have any questions. 

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Retreat Catalogue

Ignatian Leadership Retreat (ILR)

  • What: ILR is a two-night retreat where first-year and transfer students of all faith backgrounds get introduced to Ignatian Spirituality and Marquette’s pillars/values, all while building community, making friends, and asking big questions about their transition into Marquette and their faith journey. Learn more here. 
  • Who: All students can apply to this position.
  • When: August 29-31, 2025
  • Leader formation commitment: 
    • August 11, 13 & 15
    • 90-minute online group meeting in June (date tbd)
    • 90-minute online group meeting in July (date tbd)
    • 3 hour online group meetings on the following days (time tbd)
    • Final in-person meeting on Tuesday, August 26 from 7 - 9 p.m.

Milwalking 

  • What: Milwalking is a one-day retreat where retreatants travel through the city, stopping at a variety of Milwaukee and Marquette landmarks (the exact route changes from year to year). This student-led retreat features talks, activities, and prayers at each stop and great conversation en route. Learn more here. 
  • Who: All students can apply to this position.
  • When: October 4, 2025
  • Leader Formation Commitment:
    • Meet every Tuesday from 7 - 9 p.m. starting Tuesday, September 2

Holy Hill Road Trip

  • What: Holy Hill is a one-day retreat where retreatants travel to Holy Hill Basilica and National Shrine. They meet fellow students, take a hike, engage with nature, and partake in prayer and reflection activities at the beautiful Holy Hill. Learn more here. 
  • Who: All students can apply to this position.
  • When: November 1, 2025
  • Leader Formation Commitment:
    • Time tbd: given that this is a low-stakes retreat, leaders will meet 2-3 times prior to the retreat at a time that works for all leaders. 

Salt & Light Retreat

  • What: Salt and Light is a two-night retreat that explores the variety of ways we can worship and praise God through Word and Sacrament. Grow, learn, and enjoy friendship with Jesus and others in this retreat. Learn more here. 
  • Who: All students can apply to this position.
  • When: November 7-9, 2025
  • Leader Formation Commitment:
    • Meet every Tuesday from 7 - 9 p.m. starting Tuesday, September 9

Marquette Experience Retreat (MUEX)

  • Marquette Experience is a two-night community-oriented retreat for Juniors, Seniors and graduate students, rooted in the Ignatian values that shape Marquette University. The retreat allows students to reflect on what their Marquette experience has been like so far and how Ignatian Spirituality can draw them closer to God. Learn more here. 
  • Who: Only rising Juniors and Seniors can apply. Learn more here. 
  • When: February 20-22, 2026
  • Leader Formation Commitment:
    • Meet every Tuesday from 7 - 9 p.m. starting Tuesday, January 13, 2026

MU Moja Retreat

  • MU Moja is a one-night African and Black Diaspora retreat that offers a time and space to joyously reflect on one's journey of wholeness. Learn more here. 
  • When: Date tbd (Fall semester)
  • Leader Formation Commitment: tbd

Camina Conmigo

  • Camina Conmigo - walk with me - is a one-night retreat that celebrates and explores Latine spiritualities and identities while building community between students of all faiths and backgrounds. Learn more here. 
  • When: Date tbd (Spring semester)
  • Leader Formation Commitment: tbd

Post-Retreat Mini Bites

  • Post-retreat mini bites is a new initiative where retreat leaders create on-campus programming and mini-retreat experiences to continue fostering the relationships and reflections built at weekend retreats. Some ideas include planning post-retreat reunions or on-campus 3 hour retreat experiences for folks who aren’t able to commit to a weekend away from campus.
  • Leader Formation Commitment: 
    • Time tbd: leaders will meet semi-regularly at a time that works for all leaders. 

You can apply to be a retreat leader for any retreat, even if you have not attended it before.

Retreat Leader Commitments

  • Attend a prayer for the retreat leader community Tuesdays 7:00 to 7:15 of the semester of the retreat.
  • Attend planning meetings Tuesday evenings 7:15 to 9:00 in the 8 weeks preceding their retreat.
  • Grow in spirituality and relationship with God; this takes time and commitment.
  • Attend the Campus Ministry Leadership Retreat on September 6-7, 2024.
  • Support all Campus Ministry retreats.

Student Director Commitments

  • Attend a prayer for the retreat leader community Tuesdays 7:00 to 7:15 each week of the semester of their retreat.
  • Attend planning meetings Tuesday evenings 7:15 to 9:00 in the 8 weeks preceding their retreat.
  • Meet weekly with retreat staff member during the 8 weeks preceding retreat to plan team formation and meetings.
  • Facilitate retreat team meetings, organize communication with retreat team, and assist in retreat team formation.
  • Grow in spirituality and relationship with God; this takes time and commitment.
  • Attend Campus Ministry Leadership Retreat on September 6-7, 2024.
  • Support all Campus Ministry retreats.

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