If there is one thing I’ve learned in my one year at St. Bonaventure, it’s that the trips you can take to Mount Irenaeus can have the power to open you up to amazing experiences and give you friends for life.
At the beginning of my freshman year, I tried several different clubs to see what stuck, and even though they all didn’t, I enjoyed every one of them.
There was one group that I kept hearing about but had no interest in joining: Mountain Community Leaders. The orientation staff told us all about the trips to Mount Irenaeus, but I never felt like going. I figured that I should try and stay on campus, so as to be with more people and avoid distraction from my studies. The last thing I needed was a trip to a mountain to “relax.” But around October, my roommate Denis finally convinced me to take an overnight trip to the mountain with the MCL people, and I gave in.
Right off the bat I was shocked. Pulling up to the cabin at the top of the mountain was like going into entering Middle Earth. The house stood tall, overlooking a beautiful garden and the forest bellow. Entering the house, I was greeted by Brother Kevin and Father Dan, two of the kindest people I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. The whole group immediately became acquainted with one another, and the friars explained what we would be doing on the mountain.
It wasn’t just taking time to relax like I thought it was, we went out into the garden to collect ingredients for soup, collected wood for a massive bonfire and helped prepare for mass. Instead of lounging around with people you know nothing about, you’re out there doing hard, but rewarding work with people you connected with the minute you meet them. Not only do you work together, but you cook together as well. Everyone lent a hand to make dinner, which that day was delicious sausage and hot peppers, a personal favorite. By the end of the day you are left with this feeling of accomplishment, reflecting on all of the cool things you did and the wonderful people you meet while doing them.
For many people, the mountain is seen strictly as a religious experience, which is not entirely true. As a Catholic, I loved the integration of faith into such an outdoor experience, but that’s not for everybody. The friars and community leaders are a very open group of people, welcoming individuals of all faiths and religious affiliations to spend time in reflection on the mountain. The mountain is something every Bonaventure student should experience at least once in his or her time here. It gives you the chance to work, eat, and be merry against a backdrop of beautiful forests and clear night skies. If there is one regret I have about my time here so far, it’s that I didn’t go sooner.
Kevin Bradley is a contributing writer for The Bona Venture
