Lens of Liminality: A Reflection on Faith Sharing in Young Adult Retreat Ministry

This article presents a reflection on a Catholic retreat for young adults, focusing on participation in faith sharing. After describing the retreat, the author incorporates the thought of Victor Turner, primarily his concept of communitas, to explain why a retreat can be a setting which prompts the sharing of such deep testimonies of faith. The cultural forms of symbols, rituals, sacred space, silence, and solitude converge to form a communitas conducive to faith sharing. To conclude, the author offers that using this lens of liminality can help to shape retreats for young adults across the ecumenical spectrum.