Become a Charis Partner! Join Charis in its mission of “nurturing the life-long desire of men and women in their 20s and 30s for spiritual growth through a closer friendship with Jesus Christ.”

Why Charis?

• Proven, peer-led retreat model with 8 different retreat themes
• Solid catechesis
• Integration of liturgy, sacrament and spiritual direction
• Based in Ignatian Spirituality
• High quality support, training and materials
• National network of Charis Partners

The Charis Partner Program provides all the services needed to support dioceses, parishes, retreat houses, universities and other organizations in developing one retreat or a full retreat program for those in their 20s and 30s.  If you are interested in becoming a partner site, contact Executive Director, Pam Coster, or Partner Program Coordinator, Sarah Jarzembowski.

The USCCB has recognized Charis Ministries for Best Practices to those in their 20s and 30s.  Charis is a Jesuit ministry that invites young men and women to participate in a long standing tradition of our Church: going away to a “quiet place” to reflect theologically on our lives.   

During these peer-led retreats, retreatants and team members alike are exposed to Ignatian spirituality, through use of the Spiritual Exercises, praying with the Examen, and imaginative prayer.   Various Catholic rituals are used, and there is a strong catechetical element to every retreat, based on its theme. Experiencing these different elements, listening to talks by their peers, having time for silent reflection and opportunities to receive the Sacraments, is transformative for retreatants, as their comments have proven over the nearly ten years of this ministry.

Various retreat themes allow young adults to choose what is most attractive to them.  These are available for partner sites to use in the format that best fits their situation: day-long, overnight, or weekend retreats:

• The Seekers' Retreat (Searching)
• "Who Do You Say I Am?" (Relationship with Christ)
• What Next? Finding Answers with Faith (Transitions)
• Catholic School Teachers' Retreat (Vocation of Teacher, Catholic identity)
• Christ Alive in Our Marriage (Marriage as vocation)
• Choosing to be Catholic (Catholic Identity)
• For the Least of My Brothers & Sisters (Social Justice)
• Spirit@Work (Vocation)

For more thorough descriptions of Charis’ retreats, click here.