30-day Retreat: Cherishing God's Loving Friendship

Last November-December 2009, two groups of Viannista retreatants went to separate places for their experience of the 30-day Ignatian retreat.  The 4th year theologians went to the Betania Retreat House in Tagaytay City while those in Galilee Year spent time in quiet prayer at the Jesuit Retreat House in Banawa, Cebu City.   Seminarian James Ucab (2nd from right) shares with us his unique experience of the retreat.  James says ...

"Frankly speaking, I find it difficult counting the graces I have received during my 30-day retreat in Tagaytay City. The graces are simply enumerable. No matter how overblown this may sound, I must nevertheless say that everything, everyone, and each time during my retreat is grace. Believe it or not, the silence of the retreat allows one extra sensitivity even for the most ordinary things. Even the slow creeping snail or an ugly looking worm devouring a piece of leaf can already speak a lot about a poignant message from God.


"But what grace do I consider “most significant" during my 30-day retreat? The greatest gift that I have received is the grace of God's presence which I felt, saw, heard, and embraced in the person of Jesus Christ. God is real. He speaks. He cries. He listens. He walks. He loves.


"His presence is a reality that cannot be fully grasped. Nevertheless, during my retreat, the Lord stepped down and met me in my own context. Then did I learn how much He misses and longs for me. He affords not to lose me. He calls me constantly to be with him until the end.


"Though shameful and unworthy, I feel loved by Him. I am special much like every person he had created. With heart full of hope and courage after my 30-day retreat, I pledge to serve Him, my Divine majesty. I will forever cherish the loving friendship which we both forged for ourselves during those times of quiet at the Betania Retreat House during my 30 day retreat. AMDG."

This year's retreatants include the following:4th Year Theologians: Pusoy Apolinar, Cris Constantino, Jun-G Garcia, Craig Jubac, Erdman Pandero, James Ucab and Arniel Villamero.  Galileans (left photo): Melvin Abejero, Boni Bonhayag, Nick Gerongco, Ronald Josoy, Lloyd Liwagon, Rodrigo Milo, Joseph Montemayor, Leonardo Quizada, Jr, Sani Ricarde and Bryan Suarez.