As agents of Catholic Christian education, three groups of Manresan educators spent sacred days to pause, reflect, pray, and reconnect with God as a welcome break and opportunity to nourish their relationship with God and spiritual life at the start of this school year. The retreat of the seasoned educators took place in Manresa Retreat House, Banawe Avenue, Quezon City last June 24-26 for the first two groups and on June 27-29 for the third group. The newly hired teachers and staff were given a one-day recollection in Manresa School El Rosarillo Chapel last June 28, 2024.  The categorized retreat provides differentiated phases and topics, activities, and dynamics fitted and beneficial for the personal, psychological, and spiritual needs; and holistic growth, formation, and development of all educators.

 Nurturing Spiritual Life Through Individual Guided Retreat

 The first group of retreatants composed of 16 lay administrators, coordinators, teachers, and staff had their retreat last June 24-26. Members of this group were divided into three with each group having a retreat facilitator in the persons of Sr. Lillian Lim, Sr. Ma. Leoly Quitorio, and Sr. Aida Jallorina who accompanied the retreatants individually. After the group orientation on the first day, the participants seriously and prayerfully spent time in individual prayers, reflections, journal writing, and individual conferences (IC) with their respective facilitators. Members of this group were chosen by the Admin or opted to join due to their spiritual maturity. They committed to using their time to prayerfully follow and practice the dynamics of the spiritual exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola, maintaining internal and external silence, prayerfulness, and discernment. The group attended daily masses with other retreatants and the F.I. community. Their retreat concluded with the second group of Manresa educators in a meaningful and solemn Eucharistic celebration, offering praise and thanksgiving for God's blessings and graces, and preparing for the upcoming school year.

 Impressions of some retreatants:

I felt renewed, loved, and cared for by our loving God. -Mrs. Marites Llorando

 My retreat was a deepening of my spiritual maturity.  -Mrs. Flordeliza Sevilla

My experience in the individual guided retreat was filled with deep consolation and gratitude for God’s abundant love. The four prayer points revealed God’s generous work in my life, despite my unworthiness and shortcomings. His love surpasses all my fears and doubts about things beyond my control. During the retreat, I also prayed about my assignment for this school year. I must admit I had many unanswered questions, but thanks to this retreat, I found some answers, and the Lord invited me to trust Him more. Now, when I think about my assignment, my anxiety and doubts have been replaced with excitement and joy. - Mr. Ariel Ca?ete

Most of the miseries in life come from within like our own untamed mind, selfishness and greed. We need to tame our minds and connect with God and consider Him as our great provider. When we forget Him, life becomes sullen. There are lots of surprises that await us when we trust Him and work with Him to unleash great possibilities in our lives. -Mrs. Iby Paquibot

Overall, the retreat was meaningful and grace-filled because of the learning, enlightenment, blessings and graces that each one gained, prayed for and received. Thank you very much to our facilitators who helped and accompanied us in facing openly and accepting humbly with God’s  grace our lights and shadows in life. Thank you Manresa School admin for strengthening our faith, hope and love to God and for bringing us closer to Him and with one another through this spiritual activity.

By Ms. Loi Mandario