Like so much of what we experience here at Notre Dame, the NDE retreat is gold-encrusted and touted as one of the best of its kind, not only here, but anywhere. Unlike many of the other aspects of Notre Dame — dining hall food, financial aid policies, diversity — this one actually lives up to expectations.

I am a veteran of retreats of all sorts: spiritual, leadership, environmental, general bonding … you name it, I've gone on it. I even organized a couple. So when it was suggested I go on this "phenomenal, life changing, one-of-a-kind" retreat, I figured I'd be in for a nice weekend, but nothing I hadn't already seen. I was accepted the first time I applied, for the Palm Sunday NDE this last spring.

As I came back from a spring break ruined by funerals, I contemplated canceling my participation on the retreat: With term papers, finals and seminary visits, I thought I had no time for a weekend away. Some friends convinced me I could use the break. I've rarely been so thankful for free advice.

Once on the retreat, it seemed to be shaping up as very good but not spectacular. Lots of good people on the retreat team, a young and energetic priest whom I respect and participants open and willing to be enlightened. Yet I still had my reservations about adjectives like "phenomenal" and "life-changing."

Then it happened. A single moment of unexpected power and spirituality comparable to only one or two others in my life. Something that I'd never seen on a retreat before, something that could have been tailor made for my needs at that very point in my life. From then on, the rest of the retreat was truly unlike any other, a de facto once-in-a-lifetime type of experience. The days following found me in a spiritual euphoria that assured me that God was working in my life and there was still hope in this world.

Everyone always says, "You go on an NDE when it's your time." No kidding. If ever I'd had a time when I needed the NDE that was it, and I never would have known it if I hadn't gone at the urging of friends. So now I'm urging you. As soon as I got back I decided I would write an Inside Column about it when it was time again for applications to be due.

From some aspects of the retreat, I am convinced it is better suited for upperclassmen and possibly sophomores late in the spring semester. (I'd tell you exactly why, but that might ruin some of the fun of the whole experience, so you'll just have to take my word for it.) Seniors especially should start applying now to be sure they get to go before they graduate. Every year there are only five NDE retreats: two in the fall and three in the spring. The deadline for the first one next semester is tomorrow — Friday, Dec. 3. Not everyone gets accepted the first time they apply, so start now!

• Retreating to euphoria