You want to get this right.
Ignite Hope is the first-of-its-kind Catholic retreat dedicated entirely to helping young adults discern marriage as a vocation - with prayer, formation, community, and tools you can actually use.
Our discerning marriage retreat has three distinct paths: the Foundation Track for singles seeking deeper vocational clarity, the Matchmaking Track for singles ready to pursue marriage with intention, and the Dating Track for couples discerning marriage together.
Ignite hope
November 12-15, 2026 | The Pines Catholic Camp, Big Sandy, TX
Ages 21-39 | Application only
more than just "date a little"
At some point, you’ve probably heard some version of that advice.
And maybe part of you knows it’s not enough.
You’re not sure yet what your vocation is. You may feel drawn toward marriage, but you don’t want to approach something this important casually. You may be ready to date but don’t know how or lack the confidence to pursue it with vigor. Or you may already be in a relationship and starting to realize this is leading somewhere—and you want to be honest about where.
You’re not looking to drift, guess, or waste time figuring this out the hard way. You want clarity. You want direction. You want to move forward with confidence, not just hope things work out.
And deep down, you know this isn’t just about dating. It’s about your life. Your vocation. The kind of love you’re being called into—and the One who is calling you.
Ignite Hope was created for that moment.
Not as a generic singles event or a glorified mixer, but as a retreat that gives you space to slow down, get grounded, and move forward with greater clarity, intention, and peace.
The Church sees the gap too.
"The Church devotes large quantities of time — several years — to the preparation of candidates for the priesthood or religious life, but devotes very little time — only a few weeks — to those preparing for marriage. Like priests and consecrated persons, married couples are also children of Mother Church, and such a vast divergence in treatment is unjust... Mother Church therefore bears a duty of justice to devote time and energy to the preparation of those whom the Lord calls to the great mission of family life."
Pope Francis
For priests and religious, the Church has always offered dedicated discernment retreats — Come and See weekends, Quo Vadis, and more. But for those called to marriage?
Until now, there's been nothing.
Ignite Hope exists to change that.
This is a four-day Catholic retreat designed for young adults ages 21–39 who feel called to marriage and want to pursue that vocation with the same intentionality and faith the Church has always asked of those discerning the priesthood or religious life.
You'll dive deep into what it means to discern marriage well, learn practical tools for dating with purpose that you can feel confident using whenever you’re ready, press into prayer with the Holy Family as inspiration, and do all of it alongside a community of people who are in the exact same season of life as you.
You are not alone. And now, you finally have somewhere to go.
A retreat built for where you are.
You don’t come into this question from a blank slate. You’re coming in with a story, a desire, and a sense—however clear or unclear—that this part of your life matters.
That’s why Ignite Hope offers three distinct tracks, each designed to meet you where you actually are and help you move forward.
The Foundation Track
For singles who aren't in a rush - but want to be ready.
Not everyone who is single is ready to jump into matchmaking mode — and that's completely okay. The Foundation Track is designed for you. Step away from the noise and pressure of ordinary life, enter into the peace of The Pines, and press into the hearts of the Holy Family as you learn what it truly means to discern marriage well. This track is about building the interior foundation that makes everything else possible — so that when the time comes, you'll be ready.
This track is for you if:
- You need clarity before pursuing a relationship
- You want to discern your vocation more seriously
- You're looking for greater peace, grounding, and direction
- You want to be ready, not rushed
The Matchmaking Track
For singles who are ready to actively pursue marriage
This track is for you if you're single, open, and ready to put yourself out there — with the Church's wisdom behind you and real tools in your hands.
You'll have access to two distinct matchmaking experiences:
Wide & Shallow — A fun, fast-paced format for meeting lots of people quickly, hosted by Candid Dating
Narrow & Deep — A curated, personalized matching experience with a handful of people carefully selected based on you and your preferences, facilitated by Madigan the Matchmaker with Commitment ISM (trained at the Matchmaking Institute in NYC)
And here's the real goal: while it would be amazing if you met your future spouse at Ignite Hope, the weekend is about equipping you with the tools and confidence to date well after the retreat. A lot of people have never been taught how to date intentionally — or they know the tools but haven't had a safe place to practice them. We've got you covered.
This track is for you if:
- You're single and ready to pursue marriage intentionally
- You want to meet other serious Catholics in a meaningful setting
- You want practical help for dating with confidence and direction
- You're done sitting on the sidelines
The Dating Track
For couples actively discerning marriage together
You've found someone. Now what? If you're in a committed relationship and discerning marriage, the Dating Track offers talks, prayer reflections, and guided experiences designed specifically for you and your beloved. This is your dedicated space to discern well — together. You’re welcome to come as a couple OR just come individually and bring the knowledge back to share with your boo!
This track is for you if:
- You're in a committed relationship and discerning marriage seriously
- You want to deepen communication and shared vision
- You want to prepare for marraige, not just a wedding
- You're ready to move forward with greater clarity and confidence
Why applications?
If you’re here, it’s because something in you is awake—a real desire for love, marriage, and striving to become a saint. That longing is good, and it deserves the right environment to grow. The application for Ignite Hope exists to protect that environment. We are intentionally gathering men and women committed to the Catholic vision of love, who desire a marriage rooted in our faith and are serious about living that out with clarity, integrity, and respect. This is not a space for casual intentions or mixed motives, but for those ready to show up honestly, be known, and walk with others who are striving for the same call. If that’s you, what are you waiting for?
why this weekend exists
In an ideal world, formation for marriage would happen naturally — woven into family life, modeled by parents, reinforced by community. But we are living in the middle of a family crisis, and we are at least a few generations away from families being equipped to pass this on organically.
We are stepping into the gap.
Ignite Hope gives you the focused time, the Catholic formation, and the real community that you deserve as someone discerning one of the most important decisions of your life. Whether you've been waiting for something like this for years or you just know you need a reset — this weekend is for you.
serious formation in a setting made for real encounter
The adult summer camp vibe.
Let's be honest: part of what makes Ignite Hope special has nothing to do with the programming.
It's the bonfire conversations that go until midnight. It's morning coffee by the lodge while the fog is still sitting on the lake. It's the spontaneous canoe rides, the campfire s'mores, and the group of people you met 36 hours ago who already feel like lifelong friends.
The Pines Catholic Camp in Big Sandy, TX is the kind of place that makes you exhale the moment you arrive. Tucked away from the noise of real life, surrounded by East Texas pines and open sky, it's a setting that naturally invites you to slow down, open up, and be present.
We intentionally designed Ignite Hope to feel less like a typical retreat and more like the best weekend you've had in years. Yes, there will be incredible formation and prayer opportunities — but there will also be unstructured time to roam, connect, laugh, pray, and just be. Because community doesn't happen in lecture halls. It happens in the in-between moments.
Come for the formation. Stay for the friendships. Leave with a fire you didn't have when you arrived.
What you'll leave with
You won’t leave this weekend with vague inspiration. You’ll leave with direction.
You’ll leave with:
- greater clarity about where you are and what comes next
- a renewed sense of hope and peace as you abide in the Father’s love for you
- stronger confidence in the knowledge that you are not forgotten by Him
- practical help for dating, vocation, and relationship preparation
- meaningful connection with others in the same season of life
- the sense that you’re no longer trying to figure this out alone
Apply now
November 12-15, 2026 | The Pines Catholic Camp |
Big Sandy, TX
All applications require a $15 non-refundable fee. To qualify for early bird pricing, submit your application before May 15. Any applications received after May 15 will be regular pricing, regardless of when you are accepted.
$449 early bird pricing ($599 regular) includes all lodging, meals, and programming.
*$799 VIP option | 25 spots only | information coming soon!
Spots are limited. This is the first event of its kind and we expect it to sell out - don't wait.
Don't keep trying to figure this out from a distance.
If you want to get this right, step into something that’s actually built to help you do that.
Come for the formation, the Sacraments, the conversations, the prayer, the fresh air, the new friends, and the space to think clearly again.
Come because something in you knows this matters.
Apply now.
Stay tuned for our speakers to be announced!
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the registration process work?
Your first step is to register by clicking the “apply now” button and pay the non-refundable $15 registration fee. Then, select which track you’d like and fill out the application for that track. You will find the application in the follow up email. If you do not receive a follow up email, please email Hannah at hannah@tobinstitute.org. Within 8 weeks, you will receive an email detailing whether or not you have been accepted to Ignite Hope. That email will include a link to make your payment and secure your spot.
What does the cost include?
The cost includes all room, board, and activities from Thursday when you arrive through Sunday when you leave.
What is the refund policy?
It is an honor to have you join us for Ignite Hope and we are so excited for all of you whose applications are accepted for this retreat. We have worked hard to keep our pricing as low and accessible as possible while maintaining an intentional standard for the people who come to participate in Ignite Hope. Our pricing structure ensures that we are able to respect the amount of people who want to come to Ignite Hope and who are committing to giving their time and energy to discern their vocation. We know that you are serious about your discernment, and you can trust that others who come to Ignite Hope are, too.
Once you have been accepted, you have one week to pay half of your registration fee before your spot is forfeited to another applicant. The remainder of your registration fee must be paid by September 18, 2026.
Upon payment, your fee is non-refundable; to say that in a different way: once you pay any amount, we are not able to refund it back to you for any reason. If you cancel your registration before the next payment, you, of course, don’t pay any future payments. While your payments are non-refundable, we will accept a person swap. To qualify for this, you must find someone who wants to take your spot, they must apply, and they must be accepted. Upon acceptance, they will pick up your payment structure with the TOBI, and you can arrange for them to reimburse you personally for the non-refundable portion of the fees. If this is something you’d like to pursue, please reach out to Hannah via email - hannah@tobinstitute.org.
What if I'm single now, but start dating someone before the retreat begins?
Praise God for His work in your life and your discernment! We are so excited for you and are glad to tell you that you can switch to the Dating Track. Please email hannah@tobinstitute.org to initiate the switch. If you would like to have your significant other attend the retreat with you and they have not yet been accepted, please ask them to apply and indicate on their application that they are dating you.
Do you offer any discounts or scholarships?
We have worked very hard with both the facilities and with sponsors to ensure that we have kept your fee as low as possible. Since your fee includes lodging, all meals, and all of the retreat activities, the only discount we offer is the early bird discount. We are not able to offer any scholarships. However, we do encourage you to share this retreat with our family and parish community, because we do allow someone else to submit payment on your behalf. Please email hannah@tobinstitute.org to initiate this gift.
How does the shuttle service work?
We will be offering a shuttle from DFW Airport to the Pines Catholic Camp for an additional fee. The shuttle will require that your flight on Thursday lands before a certain time and takes off Sunday before a certain time in order for you to arrive at each destination on time. If you would like to book this shuttle, please do not book your flight until after you hear confirmation from uys about the shuttle requirements. If you would like to take us up on the early bird discounted fee and register for the retreat before we have this information, we will email you with these details.
Do I need to bring my own linens?
You can bring your own bedding. we are also in the process of contracting a vendor to supply bedding that will be able to be rented at an additional fee.
How can I become a sponsor?
Reach out to Elizabeth Busby - elizabeth@tobinstitute.org - for more information!
Theology of the Body Institute
PO Box 573
Quarryville, PA 17566
215-302-8200
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