ELCAMINO II stands as an annual retreat hosted for Marie Balavenne’s Catholic College students, a transformative journey meticulously designed to equip them for life’s challenges beyond secondary education.
This essential retreat, which began on December 16, extends over four instructive days. The essence of the program is self-discovery, spiritual strength, caring and clarity in life’s decisions.
Serving as an essential and obligatory rite of passage before graduation, EL-CAMINO builds on the rich tradition of integrating alumni, people whose life trajectories exemplify values worthy of emulation such as, this year: a microbiology graduate from Nnamdi Azikwe University and corps member in Lagos, a mass communications student at Covenant University, Ota, an engineering student at Cross River University of Technology, Calabar and a computer science student at Lagos State University. All were students at Marie Balavenne Catholic College.
Guiding this transformative experience were facilitators led by Ekene NWANKWO, a Philosophy graduate from the University of Ibadan and an alumnus of St. Francis Catholic College, Idimu. Ekene, having participated in the retreat seven years ago under the guidance of school Principal Rev. Sr. Rosemary ETIM DHS, brought a wealth of experience. There were also other facilitators who worked in collaboration and with enthusiasm towards the achievement of the objectives of the retreat. Supervision extended beyond alumni, involving dedicated teachers and hostel parents.
There were 49 participants altogether, comprising 47 students and 2 DHS religious aspirants. A poignant segment, “The People in my Life,” saw participants receiving letters from parents, friends, and even those who were not in good terms, revealing unexpected emotions and fostering profound realizations. Valuable life lessons emerged, promoting the ethos of being a good Samaritan, refraining from repaying evil with evil, and extending a helping hand to the hapless and helpless.
The Holy Mass was celebrated by Rev. Fr. Sam NYAKNO, the school’s Chaplain. Rev. Sr. Rosemary ETIM DHS, the principal also contributed remarkably by imparting blessings, motherly assurance, and words of love and care. To the participants. The exercise ended with a group presentation in the form of drawings, with symbols.
The participants departed great joy which indicated a sense of fulfilment in their personal and spiritual growth.
Transmitted by Sister Patience EFFIONG, 30/12/2023. Published on January 5, 2024
