Before the Magis Sophomore Retreat, I thought Magis was just another Brophy buzzword, just something teachers said to make “doing more” sound holy. But that weekend changed everything. Stripped of my phone, grades, and all the noise that usually fills my head, I finally saw that magis isn’t about doing extra; it’s about digging deeper. It’s not about being the best; it’s about being real. For the first time, I understood what Brophy means when it calls us to be men for and with others.
Without all the stress of school and worrying about what’s going on in the world, I could focus on what really mattered. My personal experience with magis is unique; I was on the first Magis of the year and my group was mostly people I didn’t know very well except for a few kids and I was only close with one of the guys when I went on the trip. But I came back knowing everyone better and we had become bonded through magis.
Deep small group conversations were awkward at first. I didn’t want to share my biggest problems with people, most of whom I had just met today, but I grew more comfortable as I realized we are all vulnerable together as brothers. I started to realize that I am a lot different than I tell myself I am. I realized that I was struggling with many things and felt sad about this but grew to understand this is a necessary evil.
“What happens on Magis stays on Magis,” said Mr. Marc Kelly ‘87, at the start of my Magis. This is exactly what it sounds like; literally, what is said or done at Magis stays at Manresa. The transformation from strangers to brothers happened overnight, literally; my cabin mates and I didn’t know each other well until Magis and the time we spent staying up late, playing blackjack, and doing other things. I know that I am connected to my Magis Brophy brothers forever and that I will always have them as someone I shared my problems with and they shared theirs with me.
The talks with Brophy faculty were an extremely interesting experience that came out of Magis as well; the faculty we heard from included Mr. Wayne Catan, Coach Micheal Schwertly, and Mrs. Claudia McClelland. I can’t disclose what was said in the talks, but they left an impression on me and my way of thinking on multiple important topics. They changed how I see these teachers as not just authority figures, but real people.
Magis, it is definitely not just a Brophy buzzword, but it is a very real and transformative experience. I gained wisdom about myself, my own problems, bonds with multiple people who I would not have connected with without Magis, and an overall confidence in who I need to be. The whole ordeal made me realize what being a “Man for Others” really means. If you are scared about falling back in school, don’t worry; Brophy gives a great grace period, and if you’re worried about hating it, you won’t hate it. The experience is formatted perfectly to allow you to be vulnerable without any judgment. So sign up: freshmen, mark your calendars for next year; sophomores, don’t wait. Magis will change your life; don’t let fear hold you back.
