As a student for almost 8 years (loyalty awardee here) of an RVM (Religious of the Virgin Mary) School here in the Philippines; Wednesdays and first Friday masses, one day recollection, BEC (Basic Ecclesial Communities) sessions, Outreach programs to chosen communities, a 3-day retreat and other religious deeds is already not new to me. Now I'm in my 4th year of Pharmacy Education in college (hoping to march this March 2017, in God's will) and basically a 3-day retreat is opt for us. This year we had our retreat at Betania Retreat House, it is located at the outskirts of Cagayan de Oro City, 8 kilometers from the City proper. It can be reached from the main highway through a winding road and is nestled on a hill with a panoramic view of green, lush mountains on one side, and blue serene sea on the other.
First off, we headed to our school to wait for the shuttle to pick us up. We arrived at Betania at around 2 in the afternoon and by the way this is not my first time to visit here, it is my second time already since we had our retreat way back when I was in 4th year high school too (it is owned by the sister who is running the school). So upon arriving, S. Claire was there to welcome us.
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While placing our bags on the sides of the room we noticed the paper on the wall, there were a list of activities to do for the 3 day stay at the retreat house. It excites me to spend time with God more deeply here in this peaceful place away from the busy life downtown(city proper) since I’m feeling guilty the past few weeks for not attending Sunday Masses regularly due to many school works and to loaded schedule on Sundays since we have board reviews every weekends which starts at 8am until 5pm, I swear it feels like my head wants to burst out for having the whole week for school I then tend to be lazy for church after the review even if I still have time and still not a valid reason to skip Mass. (Sorry Lord)
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We started the retreat proper leaded by S. Claire with a brief orientation which includes having to surrender voluntarily our phones in a big round basket to prevent us from distractions and to focus more on the retreat. It is then followed by an opening prayer and a reflection through listing on our journal what we desire in this Retreat. I wrote down the ff:
1. To spend more time with God!
2. To reflect on myself and the things and persons around me
3. To pray for everyone who is either happy or sad
4. To appreciate God’s love and mercy for me and for the people I love the most
5. To be able to thank God for everything
6. To be able to have more faith in his plans and timing for my life
7. To be able to call the Holy Spirit upon me
8. To appreciate the little things in Life
9. To focus and grow deeper my faithfulness towards my religion
10. To be drawn more closer to him
The bell then rang at around 4:00pm, it means food is waiting at the dining hall. We have a total of 5 meals a day at 7:30am for breakfast, 10:30am for snacks, 12noon for lunch, 4:00 for snacks again and 6:30 for dinner and the food they serve is really good; they cook nutritious dishes and they serve plenty!! They obviously don't deprive us when it comes to eating.. (one thing I like the most which I excitingly said to my classmates from the moment we knew we are going to have the retreat soon to expect a lot of food at Betania). I'm sharing our own photo below taken during one of the day meals.
(This is my friend Sam, photo taken after the Mass on the 3rd day)
So after having a full stomach we continued.. We watched a movie which entails the grace of God to our life, we prayed, reflected which shows us how God still blesses us with a lot of things despite our mistakes or shortcomings. That he is willing to forgive, to listen to us individually, he recognizes our efforts to have time with Him even if we sometimes fail. So despite our imperfections he still has open arms and all ears for us no matter what. We then also write our insights about the movie and particular grace/s that we would like to ask God.
The second session followed right after dinner, a group sharing about God. The session ended at about 10 in the evening, we headed to our rooms with our assigned partners; the rooms were clean, has good ventilation, and is comfortable to sleep. Their comfort rooms were as well clean and they have a lot of cubicles for the whole group. Me and my partner didn’t sleep right away we talked and talked till we fell asleep at almost 12 midnight, just having girly talks sharing about almost everything. (not good for the health to sleep very late though)
The second day of the retreat was all about the manifestation of God’s love in our Family, a video was played showing all the members of the family (they were like 9 in the family, can’t remember their surname) who is actively participating at Church and to different places singing praises for God. They experienced not just ups but downs too especially during the time they went out for a family vacation, an accident happened where they lost their 3 siblings at once. That was totally one tragic moment affecting them. One family member one time questioned why did that happened to them when they even do good by serving wholeheartedly to God but then they realized that there is always a reason for everything that has happened and is sure that their 3 loved ones are now in the hands of God. They continue singing for God up until now with some of the grand kids and sister/brothers-in law which has amazingly beautiful voices too. They faced it as a family and with their faithfulness to our Creator. We had group sharing afterwards, and listened to different experiences in one’s family. There were a lot who shared about having an incomplete family; lost their dad when they were young and separated parents. By listening to those I spoke to myself how grateful I am to have a happy, loving, complete family.. despite all imperfections we still remain as one and is always there for every member of the family.
In the afternoon we had confession. Had more sharing, reflection, realization, learning and prayers. We also wrote and offered our commitment prayer by reading it out loud at the center following writing letters for loved one, triad sharing about one’s journey of life since we were born. Right before bedtime, we were again grouped for three’s to have plan for our triad prayer for tomorrow morning. We slept at around 9 pm earlier than last night.
Video Credit: www.youtube.com
On the third day, we woke up early for the triad prayer, we started with a opening song, group prayers and a moment of silence for own’s petition. We then watched a documentary about the life of Saints which inspired us to be a blessing to other people especially the less fortunate ones. Before, I thought being a saint is very impossible but somehow you can be a saint if little by little you welcome Jesus to be inside you, to follow his footsteps by doing extraordinary things like living a holy/religious life and by reaching out to others as much as you can even if your wealthy or not there will be always a way not to hinder you from being an instrument of God’s love to other people. We stayed outside, enjoyed the nature while reflecting to a lot of things. After the 10:30 snack time, we practiced songs for the mass as a closing celebration for the wonderful retreat. After hearing mass, the dining hall surprised us again with loads of foods (as always, but there were more today since it’s our last meal) and the cellphones were returned. Time to take pics and roam around the place! The following photos below were taken personally by me.
In summary, I really enjoyed the silence in that place(silence is observed at all times at all corners of the retreat house even in the dining hall) making it so peaceful and not like the noisy city outside Betania Retreat House. It was indeed a meaningful and successful stay with God. I learned a lot of things, had realizations which molded me now to become a better follower of God, made me more grateful and urged to never take for granted the things and people I have in my life now. It is just so better with the Lord! HE makes life even better when you have him at your side. I thank the Lord for the blessings he had showered to me and to other people and to upcoming ones. I pray to Him to bless even more everyone including the one who is reading this now.. May God bless you J I am also very thankful to the persons who made this retreat a success especially to the RVM Sisters who organized and leaded this retreat. Thank you so much sisters and praised be Jesus and Mary! Now back to the busy student life… with GOD of course!
Photo Credit: Own Photos @honeybngd
Bible verses are my favorite words of encouragement, It’s my go-to every time I need motivation or inspiration. So here’s 5 bible verses to light up your day:
Jeremiah 29:11 11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
1 Peter 5:6-7 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
Zephaniah 3:17 The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.
Psalm 27:1 The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
Video Credit: www.youtube.com
Thank you for reading and I hope you learned something.
God Bless us all! And always remember...
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