by Whitney Nagasan and Catherine Kelly, CLC in Canada
Seeking your purpose in life? Desire greater self-awareness? Need community? Yearn to encounter God in all things? Young adults, 25 in total, responded yes! and gathered for the Exist Retreat at Camp Capilano in North Vancouver, November 14-16, 2025.
Rooted in the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola, the retreat created a quiet space for searching for God’s presence and purpose in our lives and launched Ignatian weekend retreats for young adults in British Columbia.
Exist offered a rhythm of guided reflection exercises, personal prayer, shared stories, fun camp-style group activities, and homemade communal meals. Participants from 19 different churches across the Archdiocese of Vancouver and the province learned Ignatian practices that encouraged discernment — recognizing God’s voice and invitation amid the many competing voices of daily life — and reflection on our purpose, identity, and holy desires in the light of our Christian faith. Trusting that the Spirit is at work in our prayer, in our hearts and in each other, the retreat offered time for silent personal prayer and small group sharing. Participants spoke honestly about their hopes, struggles, and longings — and listened deeply to the Spirit at work in our hearts and in one another.
Do you want to know more about Young CLC activies – check here: “Echoes from the Jubilee of Youth”
Seven Christian Life Community (CLC) members facilitated the retreat. Holy Trinity Parish in North Vancouver provided cooking teams who offered a warm welcome and hearty homemade meals.
“Throughout the Exist retreat, I felt the grace of realizing that God lives in me and in everything around me, present in each moment if I choose to pay attention. My God moment was understanding that He is always with me; I don’t need to search far, only to become aware. Sharing reflections with others felt powerful and deeply inspiring, opening my heart to gratitude and connection. I carry this grace forward by practicing generosity, offering presence, listening, and reflection in my daily life, as the Ignatian spiritual exercises teach us.” – Valentina
Participants began finding clarity and a deeper trust in God and in the process of discernment itself, noticing where they find peace, consolation, and life and following these divine signposts as they discern next steps.
“I now know what draws me away from God and my passions, what the main voices that distract me are, what I need to do to prioritize and strengthen my principle and foundation in my life, and where I get the best sense of community. After the Exist retreat, I made a point of no longer floating between parishes and committing to attending St. Mark’s consistently. I have a sense of home here and get to see familiar faces that bring me joy. This change has already been affecting me in fruitful ways. Moreover, after the retreat, I felt completely seen when I was given the opportunity to provide feedback and recommendations for the upcoming retreats. ” – Yosola
Participants departed with a renewed awareness of God’s presence and love for them, trusting that God continues to journey with them each step along the way.
We express profound gratitude for the generosity of Christian Life Community in Canada, the Jesuits of Canada, CLC in the Rockies/BC Region, CLC in the Prairies Region and individual donors who helped sponsor the Exist retreat, keeping it affordable for all young adults who desired to participate.
Young Adult CLC group (YA CLC) offers people a chance to connect, reflect and serve with love in the context of a small community, sharing our prayers and our lives together.
