Bridgetine partners in mission, together with the Religious of the Good Shepherd (RGS) Sisters, participated in the Lenten Activities for Employees at St. Bridget College, Batangas City, March 30, 2026.
The whole-day day event brought the administrators, faculty, staff together for prayer, recollection, the celebration of the Holy Eucharist and Seven Last Words reflection.
The day began with the Station of the Cross procession that started at the SME driveway and proceeded through several areas in the St. Bridget College campus, concluding at the SBC chapel.
The meditative walk invited participants to accompany Christ’s journey with prayer and quiet reflection.
Following the procession, a Lenten recollection was facilitated by Rev. Fr. Mikhael Sandoval, chaplain of Montemaria Shrine and Director for Vocations of the Archdiocese of Lipa.
The recollection opened with small‑group sharing in which employees reflected on things they were grateful for, their greatest life challenges, and the coping mechanisms they use when stressed.
Fr. Sandoval underscored gratitude as the foundation of spiritual life and reminded attendees that God is the source of everything and loves all people.
He encouraged participants not to compare themselves with others and to strive to be positive role models. His remarks also included a call to move “from obligation to dedication.”
Key messages from the recollection included gratitude for life, family, and experiences.
Fr. Sandoval highlighted reminders which include focusing on the present instead of remaining imprisoned by the past, and using reason to help control emotions. Participants were encouraged to choose happiness, summarized in three words, “be happy, be healthy, be holy”, and to seek joy through moral goodness and sanctity rather than mere bodily pleasure.
Moreover, he urged selflessness, charitable action, and attentive spiritual practices such as listening, prayer, examination of conscience, and confession. He offered a pastoral reframing of suffering as an opportunity for growth, describing pains and trials as “kisses of God” that draw believers closer to Christ.
An examination of conscience, framed by questions based on the Ten Commandments, helped prepare participants for confession and deeper reflection.
The event’s liturgical highlight was the celebration of the Holy Eucharist. In his homily, Fr. Sandoval called the community to live selflessly, uphold justice while extending mercy, honor every person’s dignity rooted in the blood of Jesus, imitate Mary, and offer their best to God.
The day concluded with a sharing of reflections on the Seven Last Words. Seven partners in mission shared personal reflections on Christ’s final phrases from the cross.
Sharers included Mrs. Kristine P. Jabat, college faculty; Mr. Jimmvell Castillo, BED Elem faculty; Sr. Maureen Catabian, RGS, contact person of RGS Batangas Province; Mr. Alexis Catapang, ITMSO staff and Data Privacy Officer; Mr. Isidro Pelingon, BED SHS Student Activity Coordinator and POD; Mrs. Katrina Marie Celo, BED JHS faculty; and Mrs. Angeline Dalisay, BED Filipino Coordinator.
Organized by the Center for Formation and Praxis, the Lenten activities aimed to deepen the spiritual life of employees, strengthen community bonds and renew commitment to service rooted in gratitude, charity and holiness.
In her closing message, Mrs. Ma. Socorro Lalap, CFP Officer, encouraged the participants to live mercifully and justly, value each person’s dignity, and put faith into concrete acts of compassion and service.
by:
Dr. Imelda B. Vergara
Institutional Research, Planning and Publications Officer