On the eve of the second Vespers of the Second Sunday within the Octave of Easter, Divine Mercy Sunday, a chorus of voices echoing with joy and thanksgiving as the Sacramentinos gathered in prayer to mark the start of the Annual Provincial Retreat.
A week-long gathering for pastoral update, spiritual exercises, rotating bond adoration, prayer, silence, and celebration. Coming from different local and international communities, Sacramentinos have made their way to be part of this important event in the life of every religious and that of the province. One important aspect of the retreat is to spend time with fellow Sacramentinos in silence. “A religious community is called to renew itself continually through its trials and weaknesses, in the light of the Word of God and in climate of listening to one another. The Spirit of God enables the community to discern in the circumstances of life whatever contributes to its renewal. A review of life fosters better understanding…”(ROL, 9).
The province is privileged to have the Auxiliary Bishop of Manila His Excellency Most Reverend Bishop Broderick Pabillo, DD, as Retreat Facilitator. At the very onset of his spiritual conferences, he sets the tone by providing some essential guides to direct the group for such a week-long spiritual engagements. He encouraged the group to reflect as one encounters oneself, to pray as one relates with God, and to resolve as one recommits oneself with God.
Throughout the course of the retreat, he leads the group to reflect important of religious life and ministry. He started off from the Call to Holiness, Challenges of Religious in our Time, Christian Leadership, Missio ad Gentes, Evangelization of Words and Works, Year of the Youth, Ecological Conversion, and Church and the Family. With his spiritual eloquence and formidable pastoral ability, Bishop Pabillo, made an impact and even challenged the Sacramentinos on how the Eucharist be more appreciated by the Christians as the Church prepares for its momentous celebration for the 500 years of the coming of Christianity in the Philippines.
There was also an update on preventing clergy sexual abuse. This was given Fr. John Era, CM. He talked about some approaches and measures which are the contents of his recent work, Situational Crime Prevention Framework: An Ecological Approach to Preventing Clergy Sexual Abuse. Another important update was about the Aggregation of the Blessed Sacrament (ABS). Fr. Junvic Diolata, SSS, gave a comprehensive historical background and encouraged the communities to further promote and support the ABS.
The concluding Eucharistic celebration presided by Fr. Provincial Roel dela Cruz, SSS. In his homily he spoke about the administration of financial support in the congregation and the leadership in building the Church of disciples. Fr. Provincial has expressed how blessed we are by God in so many ways. He recognized the increase in number of formands, perpetually professed, and those who are in on-going formation. He has used the metaphor of the boat in relation to leadership. He beautifully said that “the essence of leadership is not simply what we do, but who we are, and what we do because of who are.” With joyful and assuring disposition, he said, the SSS boat is not sinking. Do not be afraid.
We truly thank our Eucharistic Lord for the meaningful moments and for the graces. For the quality time spent with fellow Sacramentinos. And for the Eucharistic fervour for the mission in the Church. The scholastics and novices prepared the liturgy for the retreat. After the annual retreat, the celebration continues for the 25th Sacerdotal Anniversary and the First Profession. Adveniat Regnum Tuum Eucharisticum!!!
Br. Throy Fuentebella, SSS