Annual Holy Retreat

October 3-8, 2006

Our Annual Holy Retreat started in the evening of October 3, 2006. For this year's retreat facilitator is the Bishop of Malolos, Most Rev. Jose Oliveros, who was a resident student-priest of Collegio Filippino during the years 1974-75; 1980-81. He led the pcf priests on the first day to reflect on the meaning and purpose of our priesthood which is to be rooted in the priesthood of Jesus Christ. He in fact shared with us his vocation story. At the end of the day, we were asked to reflect and share with each other our own vocation story and what particular experience/insight that serves as our inspirationn in our priesthood today. The group sharing this day was by region: Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. On the second day, Bishop Oliveros made us reflect on the the call of the priesthood as the call to love and communion. Two moments of God's love: Creation and the History of Salvation. Four editions of loving our neighbor: love your neighbor as yourself (Mt.); love your neighbor as I love you (Jn); love your neighbor as the Sacrament of Christ (Mt.25); love your neighbor as I and the Father love each other (Jn.). For the sharing this day: Identify and share concrete signs of God's love fo us in our life; what help can I offer to my brother priest in my community and what aid can I ask from them? The group shairng was by school: Gregorian, Angelicum, Santa Croce, Alphonsianum, Lateran. The third day zeroed in on the call within the call: the call to an on-going formation and the call to chaste celibacy. Love for studies should lead to Love fo God, Church, and neighbor. "To learn Rome itself is more important than to study in Rome" was quoted by the Bishop from the book of John Paul II to drive his point. Integration of studies with prayer is very important. Regarding celibacy, it is a treasure (Paul VI) and it is a gift (PJP II). Precisely because it is a gift, we can ask it from the Lord. It is not that simple to say that because I don't have the gift, I would leave the priesthood. Celibacy should be lived with passion and enthusiasm, with eros and agape. Celibacy is not natural but rather supernatural. When you celebrate Mass, offer your celibacy to the Lord. For the sharing that day: share the joys and hopes in Rome; share the joys and hopes of the life of celibacy. The fourth day saw the priests listening to the Bishop's reflection on the Blessed Virgin Mary as the Model of Service and Love. The phrase "Behold the handmaid of the Lord" should inspire priests in their life of service and love. In the afternoon, the Bishop led the priests to reflect on the priesthood as a call to conversion and to be a minister of the sacrament of reconciation. He pointed out that priests who do not approach the sacrament of reconciliation regularly would feel the diminishing effect in his ministry of reconciliation. Thus, the Bishop challenged the priests to be a prisoner of the confessional. The day was ended with the Rite of Reconciliation and Individual Confession and Absolution after supper. The Annual Holy Retreat of the PCF came to an end after the celebration of the Holy Eucharist the following day. Grazie, Bishop Joey! And also Fr. Rey Adalid, the Spiritual Director and Fr. Venus Suarez, the Spirituality Committee, for the job well-done, grazie tante!