Happening: A ministry of the Diocese of RI

This weekend long conference is a spiritual retreat for young people, ranging from high school to college. This event takes place once a year, and has been transforming lives for over 40 years. Young people from all over the region help plan and implement this retreat for their peers, creating an environment that is warm, welcoming, and ripe for building friendships and being yourself. It is spent in a relaxed, fun, and safe environment where youth can openly talk about their faith, and explore building relationships with their spiritual life in a Christian atmosphere.

Throughout each Happening, high school students, young adults, and clergy alike share life and faith experiences; diving deeper into what it means to be on a journey of faith. A young person serves as “Rector” and leads the weekend with help from clergy and a support staff. The schedule is balanced to include a wide range of activities including, but not limited to: exploring faith based content, personal testimonies, active discussion, low-key reflection, jam sessions, and high-energy activities that encourage creativity and teamwork.

The Happening movement believes that a spiritual life is incredibly important for youth today, and should be made accessible to all. It has the power to transform the members of our community, and the wider, rapidly changing world. We provide the opportunity for young people to develop and nourish these ideals in an exciting, thoughtful, and welcoming community.

Pricing ranges from $200-$300 for the weekend. Includes 2 overnight and 6 meals. Should your family require scholarship, please click here.

Rachel Smith, Faith Bessette, Abby Dion, and Kaitlyn Leno make up the Happening leadership team. They provide supervision and assist in the planning process and execution of the programming. Any questions about the weekend may be sent to happeningri@gmail.com.