Peace in the Name of Christ!
In preparation for the incoming celebration of the 500 years of the birth of our holy Mother St. Teresa, we, the Carmelite student community started a study about its theme "I Was Born for You" for our personal as well as the community's renewal. We do the study of her "Life" twice a month in a small group sharing. Afterwards, we gather together in a big group to collate what we have shared. We are using as a guide the materials provided by the Generalate.
Here are some of the excerpts of our study of her "Life". Chapter 1: Key Moment in her Life; St. Teresa highlights this point when she says, "to have had a virtuous and God-fearing parents along with the graces the Lord granted me should have been enough for me to have led a good life" (ch. 1.1). She manifest that to have parents who are always anchored in the goodness of God "favored nothing but virtue". St. Teresa's messages echoes loudly in our time today especially on the formation of family. As a religious, we are tasked to look at our own family, its spiritual, emotional, social and political formation. In this Chapter 1,1 of the "Life" we are reminded to pray and help to the best of our ability in restoring the broken family, a rebuild a family near to the ideal and entrust them to the Holy Family". Chapter 4 and 8: Who is the God of Your Experience? We know that St. Teresa for more than eighteen years since she begun prayer suffered the battle of conflict between friendship with God and friendship with the world. But Teresa's consistency in prayer tantamount her to experience the goodness of God who never outdone in mercy as she testifies... we may be struggling to pursue with our own desire, and maybe, we will be caught up with our own limitations but Teresa assures as that "the Lord will improve and perfect them and give them value". Our imperfection finds a perfection in God. Chapter 9: Conversion. This chapter shows her turning point in life: rebirth. St. Teresa uses imagery of rebirth to describe her "new life" so separate and distinct from her "old life". Teresa trust wholly herself in God, the inner voice that speak to her. She was deeply aware on God speaking through little events, images, little thing in her life. She thinks only of the human person of Jesus. This is the focus of her prayer, the humanity of Jesus especially in his passion.
To get a way form the hustle, bustle of city life, the John of the Cross community decided to hold our annual retreat from May 17-22, 2010 at Our Lady's Hill Center for Spirituality in Bago City, Negros Occidental. The theme of our retreat for this year is taken from the book written by Marie-Eugene, OCD "I want to see God". On the first day of the retreat Fr. Dan reflected about "At the Point of Departure as a Carmelite". According to him, "the soul must flee towards God". And this is the first resolution that St. Teresa imposes on the soul. The saint demands this disposition form her disciple". On the second day Fr. Rey gave a reflection on how to make a total gift of self. He challenged us that as Jesus is asking for more......are we then willing to give up more? To give up everything-not just something, not just giving our best". Bro. Dodong, on the third day shared about humility. He explained that "St. Teresa never wearies of proclaiming the necessity of the virtue of humility. And the insistence of the saint indicates that we cannot make further progress without considering more thoroughly her teaching on humility". Fr. Neil emphasized on the importance of silence and solitude to help us be recollected. The last but not the least is Fr. Tom who shared about contemplation. He said, "Contemplation is, then, the science of love, the "secret wisdom" and its communicated and infused into the soul through love". Indeed, the retreat was a fruitful and blessed moments for us personally and as a community. We are truly recharged, refreshed and revitalized. We would like to extend our gratitude to the Spirituality Team (Bro. Diony and Bro. Sin Wee) who spearheaded the retreat. Mabuhay kayo lagi!
After the retreat we went to the beautiful Island in Guimaras for our community outing. We spend our days meaningfully. We spend time for bonding with the brothers, away from the daily routine house functions and academic studies. The friars really enjoyed their days and nights swimming, snorkeling, videoke hut. It was fun.
We welcome our five new student's friars who just arrived last May 18, 2010. Our two Filipino brothers Jun-jun and Eric will take their Philosophy at St. Vincent School of Theology run by the Vincentian Fathers and Brothers. Our three Vietnamese brothers John Bosco, Paul and Josh who will study advanced English in Maryhill School of Theology. Also we welcome Anthony Domingo who will stay with us for a year while waiting for his novitiate. He will be actively involved in the Vocation Promotion Ministry with Fr. jack Tangan, OCD as our National Vocation Director.
Ad Jesum Mariam!
