Toronto Celebrates Its Valdocco Retreat

By Ms. Madeline Corradi, Coordinator of Youth Ministry, Salesian Youth Ministry Toronto

(Etobicoke, ON – March 21) – St. Benedict Parish held its first young adult retreat in four years from Friday, February 23, through Sunday, February 25. What was once called the Salesian Leadership Retreat found its rebirth in Valdocco, the new name given to this retreat. Forty-six people put their trust in the Lord as they endeavored on only the second run-through of this retreat across our North American Salesian Family. It is with grateful and full hearts that we humbly say it was a success.

The retreat began on a beautiful Friday morning when about a dozen young adults gathered in St. Benedict Church’s basement for a shared breakfast. Six hours before the retreatants arrived, our core and young teams shuffled in with their bags and matching sweaters ready to rifle through binders to prepare for the weekend ahead. If you had walked in, you would have found us tossing pancakes on plates and making jokes. What would not be obvious were the weeks of hard work and dedication that were previously poured into those moments.

Cut to the first icebreaker, where red cups were passed from person to person, and enthusiastic chaos and competition ensued. Looking back, it’s clear the “I Pass My Cup” was the first indicator that the group of students in grades 10-12 would embrace the mission of Valdocco. Shyness was quickly replaced with kinship.

The openness of students from Fr. Henry Carr, Fr. John Redmond, Loretto Abbey, Msgr. Percy Johnson, Paschal Baylon, and St. Benedict Parish was truly the light that burned brightest during Valdocco. Guided by our stellar young team, students were passionate, faithful, joyful, and inspiring. They reminded us why their youth is enough reason to love them. Their willing participation in our activities and prayer moments only made our jobs as leaders easier. They gave their all to icebreakers, performances, creative mealtime graces, singing, and vulnerable small group sharing without questions. Additionally, they gave up their phones, which were locked away in a box for most of the weekend.

A stand-out moment was our Saturday night adoration, where students encountered Jesus and were moved by the love that surrounded them. Led by our core team’s talented coordinators and musicians, adoration was a bow on a carefully crafted program. The line for Reconciliation was never short, and tissues ran low. There was a fog in the air much lighter than incense, one that deposited comfort into pews and permeated hearts.

As it often is at the end of these retreats, saying goodbye to Valdocco was not something we wanted to do. A transformation had happened. Friends were made, and clarity was found. The bus ride home was as energetic as the ride to Valdocco. Our closing Mass sent our retreatants off with Salesian medals and an abundance of ministries to visit. We hope they return next year.

On behalf of coordinators Elijah Pace and Madeline Corradi, as well as our incredible young and core teams, we’d like to share a huge thank you to everyone who made this retreat possible. At its core, our work in youth ministry aims to uplift young people in our community and spread joy. We look forward to continuing that mission with many Valdoccos to come.