FNE Explorer Retreat

The Invitation

A retreat is a special opportunity to be with your Explorer brothers to spend a few hours away from one’s normal life to reconnect with our Lord through this specific dynamic, engaging retreat experience second to none other. Do you wish to touch the cloak of Jesus while he is on the Altar, unburden yourself from the chains of your sin, and receive a spiritual boost like no other yet received in your life?

Embracing and Living the Explorer Law in our everyday Lives – Especially the Tenth Explorer Law

1. An Explorer’s Honour is to be trusted.

2. An Explorer is loyal to his country, parents, leaders and subordinates.

3. An Explorer is made to serve and save his neighbour.

4. An Explorer is a friend to all and a brother to every other Explorer.

5. An Explorer is courteous and chivalrous.

6. An Explorer sees in nature God’s creation; he loves plants and animals.

7. An Explorer obeys proper orders and leaves nothing half-finished.

8. An Explorer controls himself; he smiles and sings under all difficulties.

9. An Explorer is thrifty; he takes good care of his own possessions and those of others.

10. An Explorer is pure in thought, word and deed.

Explorer Retreat Testimonies from Patrol Chiefs and Assistant Patrol Chiefs

Even though the retreat was only one day, it felt more like a full weekend retreat, because of how engaging it was.

Patrol Chief – Wolverine Patrol –Clement

The thing that struck me most about the retreat was the talk that we had on chastity. I admire the courage of the speaker, having to come out and speak about a topic like that. I think the openness of the guest speaker really helped me to understand that I’m not alone in this struggle and that my brother explorers can help each other to overcome this capital sin that is haunting this generation of young men. I personally find that due to the availability of technology all around us, the world is a living temptation for us to sin. Another thing I found astonishing about the retreat was the adoration. This adoration to me came close to the one that I experienced 5 years ago on Holy Thursday in Rome. The music was beautiful and it helped me to focus on God and what was happening around me. Even though I did not get to listen to “Oceans” (my favourite praise and worship song) I was still really moved by the music the band was doing. Having the opportunity to touch Jesus’s cloak was also really powerful because this has never happened before. It reminded me of the gospel of the woman healed by touching the cloak of Jesus (Mark 5:25-34). It really felt like Jesus was healing me from everything that had plagued me for months. Having this experience really helped me to grow in my faith and become a better Catholic young man. Thank you to FNE for giving me this amazing experience.

Assistant Patrol Chief – Wolf Patrol – Samuel

The best things from the retreat for me, were adoration, the speakers and what they talked about. The speakers talked about things that made me uncomfortable and shocked me in a good way. They talked about things that many teenage boys have a problem with. I didn’t expect them to talk about these things but that’s what made the retreat so different. The adoration was one of the best adorations I’ve been to, because we got the chance to touch Jesus’ cloak, and the music really made me focus during adoration. The adoration passed by so fast because everything about it made me focus on God.

Assistant Patrol Chief –Jaguar Patrol – Martino

During this pandemic, most of us have been away from God and church most of the time. However, this retreat was a great way to bring ourselves back to God. The adoration was the most important part of the day, where it was even made where we could ‘touch the clothes of Jesus’ so that we may be ‘healed’. This healing may not have been physical, but it could heal us spiritually and be helpful later on in our lives. Furthermore, we were even distanced from each other so that we can easily reach God and not be distracted. In conclusion, I believe that this retreat was a really amazing way to bond with fellow brothers and a great way to turn back towards God.

Patrol Chief – Jayden – Badger Patrol

What was different about this retreat was that it tackled tough questions, and topics that are uncomfortable to talk about. The adoration helped me communicate with God in a way I don’t do often. The band Steadfast Worship provided very good music and it was especially good for adoration. The talk about purity was very clear and direct, and it is a good help in understanding the tenth explorer law and living it. This is how the retreat stuck out to me.

Patrol Chief – Jonathan – Mountain Lion Patrol

What stuck with me on the retreat was the talks Father gave on apologetics and the talk Keith Diaz made. It has definitely strengthened my faith, especially when we went to confession and the 2 hour adoration we had to ourselves.

Assistant Patrol Chief – Caesarius – Mountain Lion Patrol

The thing that struck me most was the idea of fighting temptation with violence. This is because I find it really easy to fall to temptation. I think that Fr. Matthew’s message helped strengthen my resolve to fight against my temptations. I also feel that the confession and adoration helped bring me closer to God. Furthermore, I really appreciated the talk by Keith as it was direct. I had come to the retreat hoping to better live the 10th explorer law, I definitely feel that the retreat met or even surpassed my expectations.

Patrol Chief – Christian – Grizzly Patrol

For me the most important part of the retreat was Adoration. The lack of structured prayer allowed me to truly relax and pray without thinking about the time. The talk provided by Keith was also very blunt and to the point, which I appreciated. I was able to get the core message from his talk, and his analogies allowed me to understand both what he was saying and why. I would like to see similar events in the future, as they were personally very effective, and I could see they were effective in my patrol members as well.

Assistant Patrol Chief – Emmanuel – Badger Patrol

What struck me during the retreat was the wonderful music and prayerful atmosphere during mass and adoration. The talks by Father Matthew were also deep and informative about our faith. I feel that we, the explorers, have gotten closer to God and each other during this retreat.

Assistant Patrol Chief – Ethan – Grizzly Patrol

What stuck with me the most during the retreat was that we had our own private time during adoration to really pay attention and set aside problems or stresses. I could connect to God in a way that was unique but made it special because it really felt that God was listening to every prayer and intention I was offering up. The talks and presentation we had were astonishing, I felt that I could actually connect to the topics that we discussed to my everyday life.

Patrol Chief – Michael Vincent – Jaguar Patrol

What struck me the most at this retreat was when we had a chance to go to adoration because personally for me it had been a long time since I had gone to adoration. In the last several months, I felt like God was not listening to me especially when I was going through a lot of problems about finding my vocation. At the moment when I went up to spend one on one time with our Lord, I felt a great peace come over me and at that exact moment I also found some answers why He was not listening to me when I needed him most. By the time we finish adoration I felt like God revealed what vocation he is directing me towards. It is just up to me keep discerning if this is what he truly wants from me.

Patrol Chief – Derek – Chipmunk Patrol

Even though the retreat was only one day, it felt more like a full weekend retreat, because of how engaging it was. I think the presence of the band Steadfast Worship, as well as the direct and engaging talks from Fr. Matthew and Keith were the big causes of this. The band added a new, exciting factor to the retreat. I would say it challenged all of our comfort zones, and pushed us to worship God in a very direct way. The candid and direct talks throughout the retreat also pushed us out of our comfort zone, and helped us grow in our faith and live out the 10th Explorer law. While we experienced so much in so short a time, there was still time for reflection. We were able to participate in discussion groups, a thorough examination of conscience and experience a long lasting and very impactful Eucharistic Adoration. Aside from the other things they accomplished, these opportunities allowed for contemplation of the topics discussed, which is something I appreciate. Overall, the March 8th retreat was a very special one, which in retrospect was very needed.

Patrol Chief – Justin – Wolf Patrol

What struck me most during the retreat was being able to go up to the Altar and kneel in front of Jesus, and being able to touch the cloth wrapped around him. It’s something you don’t get to experience every time you go to adoration, I thought that it was a very powerful moment in my faith. The talks from Fr. Matt and Keith were very inspiring and had me thinking about the topics for more than a week, it has really helped me to see the bigger picture in life. The praise and worship sessions with Steadfast were really helpful to me, I’ve always liked connecting with God through music. I would really like to have another retreat like this again whenever I feel like I’m far away from God, because this retreat has certainly brought me a lot closer to Him.

Assistant Patrol Chief – Jerome – Wolverine Patrol

This retreat changed me in numerous ways. As we first started off with some Q and A, I enjoyed listening to some tough questions about our faith that my brothers had to ask, which in return, deepened my understanding of our faith. After some more deep discussions, we had mass and adoration. During adoration, I ignored my surroundings and listened to what God had to tell me. After adoration, I felt that I knew what God wanted of me and how I can strengthen my relationship with Him.

FNE Leaders – you are encouraged to organize similar retreats for your Explorers or even your Timberwolves. FNE youth – find the time to participate for eternal rewards in the next life! What are you waiting for?