To provide time for inner reflection and deeper spiritual experience, lay mission partners of St. Bridget College entered into the solitude of silence in a Holy Retreat at Maryridge Good Shepherd Convent and Retreat House, Tagaytay City, October 28-29 for Batch 1 and October 29-30, 2024 for Batch 2.
The Bridgetine retreatants attended the sessions in which activities focused on prayer, reflection, and spiritual conversations.
In the first part of the session for Batch 1, Msgr. Gerry O. Santos, retreat facilitator, emphasized the essence of spiritual retreat as a movement of introspection, meeting of spirits, and checking where a person is going.
He also shared the significance of silence and listening to God who is in the inner recesses of one’s interiority.
Promoting a sense of peace and tranquility, the retreatants also devoted time for prayer, reverence and adoration in the Holy Hour as part of their spiritual journey.
In the homily that Msgr. Gerry delivered during the celebration of the Holy Eucharist, he pointed out that love is an act of the will and that nothing in the world happens by accident.
He also shared the movements in the life of the apostles which included being chosen, being called to remain with Jesus, and being called to be sent no matter.
Strengthening bonds within the community, the retreatants also engaged in spiritual conversations. With their groupmates, they shared their reflections on what they have done, what they are doing and what they will do for Jesus.
With emphasis on the value of listening, they also discussed what has moved or caught their attention in the sharing as well as the strong similarities or consensus among the responses of the groupmates.
In the celebration of the Holy Eucharist with Batch 1 retreatants, Rev. Fr. Cirio Kabamalan, CJM, emphasized in his homily the lesson on faith and spiritual growth from the parable of the mustard seed.
Meanwhile, Batch 2 retreatants engaged in reflections on the Ten Commandments and The Lord’s Prayer.
In the homily that Msgr. Gerry delivered, he pointed out the value of forgiveness of oneself and others as well as the five signs of holiness which include a virtuous life, humor and laughter, passion for mission, community life, and prayer.
Grateful for bringing back the cherished tradition of retreat after years of absence, the retreatants expressed gratitude to the institution, most especially to Sr. Ma. Añanita Borbon, RGS, PhD, college president, for extending full support to the activity.
They also acknowledged the efforts of the Center for Formation and Praxis Office (CFPO), in coordination with the Human Resource Development and Management Office (HRMDO) headed by Mrs. Maria Socorro Lalap and Ms. Gayle Ann Guerra, respectively, for organizing the said spiritual activity.
By: Dr. Imelda B. Vergara, IRPP Officer