A Letter from Principal Jim Bopp

In the frantic pace of high school life, the search for silence is almost a radical act. While our retreat program has long been central to Brophy’s mission, I am excited by how these experiences have evolved over the last few years to meet our students exactly where they are today.

This momentum is most evident in our senior Silent Retreat, one of our most sought-after experiences on campus. For 48 hours, students set aside every element of their day-to-day lives for the solitude of Manresa to engage in deep Ignatian discernment. Supported by faculty spiritual directors, they pray through the “elections” of their lives: their future relationships, college choices, and the men they hope to become. It is a powerful plunge into reflection that yields incredible clarity.

We have also seen a profound transformation in Magis. We recently completed a full redesign of the retreat manual to center the experience on a spiritual vision of masculinity. Using the three temptations of Christ — hunger, attention, and power — as a roadmap, our students discuss the pressure to be performative and the responsible use of their God-given talents. One central tenet of this new experience is especially indicative of the openness we foster at Brophy: that a true mark of a man is the courage to say, “I’m sorry” and “I forgive you.”

For those seeking a different kind of encounter with God, the Exodus retreat offers a unique, physically engaging journey. Seniors head into the rugged wilderness of the Superstition Mountains for a multi-day backpacking and camping experience. As they navigate the trails, they walk through the biblical story of the Exodus, drawing parallels between the ancient journey through the desert and their own personal “wilderness” as they prepare to leave Brophy.

Student engagement in these programs is staggering. With participation rates in Kairos and Magis consistently between 84% and 94%, it is clear our students value these encounters as much as any academic or athletic pursuit.

These transformative moments are made possible by the dedication of our faculty mentors — many of whom are trained spiritual directors — and the sacred spaces where our students encounter God. Thank you for believing in and supporting this spiritual journey, and the way all our Broncos grow in their time at Brophy.

AMDG,