In a powerful expression of faith, environmental responsibility, and community action, St. Bridget College (SBC) community marked the global observance of the Season of Creation 2026 through a Pilgrimage and Meditation by the Water at the Calumpang River Dike, Batangas City, October 2, 2026.
Through prayer, reflection, and the symbolic Bokashi Ball activity, participants renewed their commitment to protecting waterways and caring for God’s creation.
The activity formed part of the college’s observance of the Season of Creation, which carried the theme “Living Water: A Gift, A Responsibility, A Mission.” As participants walked toward the river, they reflected on the importance of water as a life-giving gift from God and on their shared responsibility to safeguard it for present and future generations.
At designated reflection areas, participants paused for prayer and meditation, deepening their appreciation of the connection between faith and ecological stewardship. The activity featured the Bokashi Ball initiative, a symbolic environmental action that underscored the community’s commitment to helping restore and protect local waterways.
A total of 85 participants joined the pilgrimage, including the Religious of the Good Shepherd (RGS) Sisters, members of the Executive Committee, mid-level administrators, faculty members, staff, maintenance personnel, and student representatives from different departments. The gathering transformed the riverbank into a space for spiritual reflection and ecological awareness, reminding participants that care for creation requires both contemplation and action.
The pilgrimage was among the highlights of SBC’s month-long observance of the Season of Creation, celebrated worldwide from September 1 to October 4. The observance in the institution sought to deepen appreciation for water, promote environmental responsibility, and encourage active participation in the care of creation through symbolic prayer activities, bayanihan initiatives, vegetable gardening, and ecological reflection.
The celebration officially opened on September 1 with the launching of the Season of Creation across the campus. Flowing-water symbols were displayed on the altars of the IPS and College departments, serving as visual reminders of the year’s theme and inviting members of the community to reflect on water as a precious gift that sustains life.
Moreover, students and employees participated in ‘Bayanihan sa SBC’ in celebration of the Blessed Virgin Mary’s birthday on September 8. Working together in classrooms, offices, and campus spaces, they demonstrated the values of cooperation, stewardship, and shared responsibility. The activity emphasized that caring for the environment begins in the places where people live, learn, and work.
The celebration continued through environmental stewardship initiatives, including a Vegetable Gardening Initiative involving maintenance personnel and members of the RGS Convent community. The activity promoted sustainable practices, appreciation for food production, and responsible use of natural resources. More importantly, it highlighted the value of patience and commitment in caring for the land entrusted to the community.
Through these activities, members of the Bridgetine community were encouraged to move beyond environmental awareness and embrace concrete actions that reflect care for creation. The observance strengthened the understanding that ecological responsibility is not confined to special celebrations but is a way of life rooted in faith and expressed through everyday choices.
Anchored on the theme “Living Water: A Gift, A Responsibility, A Mission,” the Season of Creation 2026 reaffirmed St. Bridget College’s commitment to ecological stewardship and inspired the community to become responsible custodians of God’s creation.
The month-long observance was spearheaded by the Center for Formation and Praxis Office under the leadership of Mrs. Maria Socorro Lalap, with the support of College President Dr. Bernadette Manalo, the Religious of the Good Shepherd (RGS) Sisters, and the entire Bridgetine community, whose collective efforts made the celebration a meaningful expression of faith in action and care for our common home.
Dr. Imelda B. Vergara
Institutional Research, Planning and Publications Officer