A tradition that has spanned 47 years, MECO is considered a rite of passage for many Malvern Prep seniors. During the fall semester, most seniors attend Malvernians Encountering Christ in Others (MECO), a weekend-long retreat focusing on spiritual growth. For many, MECO is a highlight of the Malvern experience; alums frequently note it as a favorite experience from their time at Malvern.
“MECO for me was the greatest experience of my life, hands down, and I am looking forward to the rest of the class of 2025 as well as the rest of Malvern eventually [experiencing] it,” MECO Student Leader Matthew Lofgren ‘25 said.
As much as students look forward to the retreat, and even with three weekends to choose from, it could not come at a busier time between college visits and applications, fall sports, and challenging classes that crowd seniors’ schedules. As difficult as this is, many seniors enjoy MECO because it allows them to reflect on their Malvern experience during this busy season. According to Fr. Drennen ‘73, Director of Augustinian Spiritual Outreach, the goal is to minimize disruptions to fall schedules with the scheduling of MECO.
“[Students] pick which [retreat date] they want; almost everybody [receives] their first choice. If they couldn’t get it or wanted to exchange, they have to switch with somebody because each retreat is [designed for] 40 people,” Fr. Drennen said.
Although students are given the choice, many have to switch retreats anyway. Several conflicts can arise such as school dances, sporting events, and personal matters.
“There [are] plenty of switches happening in all areas,” Lofgren said.
However, through these switches, MECO Student Leaders encourage seniors to remain on their originally picked retreat. This makes it easier to logistically organize the retreat weekends, and many Student Leaders believe minimal switching is important.
“I think the one that you are originally put on is the one you should hopefully try and stay on. I think that you should embrace the opportunity of MECO full-heartedly and not let other things distract you from changing how that experience goes for you,” Lofgren said.
Much thought is given to which students go on which retreat. One of the intents is to encourage students to branch out of their regular circle of friends. With students switching retreat dates to accommodate fall activities, MECO Student Leaders say it’s common each year for sports teammates to end up on the same MECO due to the scheduling, which creates less mixing of friend groups among retreat participants.
Additionally, growing class sizes are becoming a concern for the scheduling of MECO. As Fr. Drennen said, going forward they may have to schedule four retreat weekends instead of three. There are too many people for the undisclosed MECO venue to hold effectively.
Additionally, the annual Villa Maria dance, scheduled for September 28th falls squarely within the timeframe of the first MECO weekend. Many Malvern seniors may have to miss that event due to the retreat.
“I think some people probably may have wanted to go to Fall Ball,” Fr. Drennen said.
According to Fr. Drennen, Malvern has been using the same schedule in regards to MECO for at least 15 years. However, some retreats used to take place during the school week. This has been changed so that students don’t have to miss so many classes.
“The schedule is consistent. It doesn’t change year by year,” Fr. Drennen said.
Fr. Drennen meets with MECO Student Leaders daily before homeroom to discuss the scheduling and planning of the retreats. The planning is specifically for the group of students assigned to each date.
“We’re preparing for the [retreat participants]; we’re setting things up, and it would be kind of late to switch somebody now,” Fr. Drennen said.
Any switches within about a month leading up to each retreat interfere with specific planning done for retreat participants, according to Fr. Drennen. This is significant because a large amount of preparation goes into coordinating each retreat and ensuring that it runs smoothly. Student Leaders take on much of this planning in the form of various logistical responsibilities.
“[Student] Leaders really do all the dirty work. They get all the supplies, pick the tables, and organize the [retreat],” Fr. Drennen said.
According to Lofgren, the people on your MECO retreat are on your retreat for a reason. He asks that everyone go into the experience with an open mind and a positive attitude.
“I think the MECO [retreat] you are put on is meant to be your MECO,” Lofgren said.
Senior class MECO Student Leaders had a chance to attend a MECO retreat last year, giving MECO Student Leaders like Michael Singley ‘25 a perspective that those who haven’t yet attended a MECO retreat don’t have. Singley acknowledged that MECO could be scheduled with events like Fall Ball in mind, but also believes that the MECO experience will have a much more lasting impact than any of the conflicting events.
“I do think that the first weekend could be pushed back or [reconsidered] when Fall Ball was scheduled, but in reality, MECO is [much] more important. People will realize that it was worth missing a dance. MECO is going to have so much more of an impact than a high school dance. Go into MECO with the right mindset, and you could come out a whole new person,” Singley said.
