India Pilgrimage Retreat at Shoalwater Reflections The first week of the July holidays 2013 saw the India Pilgrims embark on an inspiring retreat to St John of God Retreat Centre in Shoalwater. Here, we became mostly isolated from distractions that encompassed life at home in order to focus and prepare for our task ahead; the India Pilgrimage.
As we entered the final four months before we left for the 2013 India Pilgrimage, we went for a 3-day retreat, in the start of the Term 3 holidays, to better understand the hopes, fears and the aspirations towards spending a month working with the poorest, most vulnerable people on the planet today.
After departing Trinity College on Tuesday 9 July, we arrived in Shoalwater and eliminated pre-retreat anxieties by engaging in games of cricket and soccer at the nearby park. This not only helped remove anxiety, but also strengthened the chemistry throughout pilgrims in preparation for the sporting competition we were to face in India. The Retreat was also host to numerous sessions initiated by Mr Murray in which we all discussed our personal motivations for joining the pilgrimage and the hopes and fears we held. These sessions allowed for the maturation of the group as a whole and strengthened friendships between pilgrims.
Upon arrival we settled in and, after a short period of recreation, we shared the stories of our own lives and spoke of everything that had motivated each of us to join and become involved in the immersion experience. For some of us it had been a drive, since we were mere children, to experience something that was considered to be the peak of the Trinity College journey. For others it was a yearning for a deeper connection to spirituality, but we all planned for a life-changing occurrence nevertheless. The next days were spent reflecting more upon the sights, and the culture of India itself, all the while spending time questioning the purpose of the journey, and the fact that we are embarking upon a pilgrimage, not a trip or a tour.
Furthermore, Mr Murray and Mr Gage conveyed stories and words of advice that they had conjured from past experience in India; this became priceless to the rest of the boys whose devoted minds were eager for a glimpse of what to expect. Numerous films and documentaries were watched to gain insight into the culture, lifestyle and sanctity of India, particularly those exemplifying experiences of pilgrimages such as those of Mahatma Ghandi and Mother Teresa.
At the end of the Retreat we all felt as though we had bonded, and were left excited as we entered the final period of preparation before we left. Especially, after learning of significant people such as Mahatma Gandhi, and Mother Teresa, we began to build a connection with the India culture that we were so thrilled to experience, when we finally left in November. Connor Duffin (11.4)
The Retreat was also home to the birth of pieces that were to be performed in India [particularly MITHRA]; these pieces included classics such as the Hokey Pokey and Twinkle Twinkle Little Star Musical items were also prepared which showcased the musicianship of specific members of the pilgrimage; these talents will most definitely be utilised in India. Overall, the retreat established unity amongst the pilgrims and further inspiration needed for the near future. Thanks must go to the staff at the retreat centre who provided comfortable accommodation and plentiful meals, as well as Mr Murray, Mr Gage and Mr Overton for their coordination and enthusiasm over the course of the three days. Max Formato (11.1)
India Pilgrimage Retreat at Shoalwater Back Row: Max Formato, Connor Duffin, Benjamin Kruize, Cooper Isailovic Front Row: Jarrod Hall, Benjamin Goes, Morgan Hindle, Damon Keizer, Brayden Keizer
164
