Thirty-nine (39) priests from Marbel Diocese made their annual retreat on 2-4 August 2011 at St. Ezekiel Moreno Spirituality and Development Center, Brgy.San Jose, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.
Theme: “The Clergy Amidst Today’s Burning Issues”.
Bishop Pedro Arigo of Puerto Princesa Vicariate was the main facilitator. He was assisted by Fr. Joseph Philip Trayvilla, OAR and Fr. Anthony Irineo, OAR.
Fr. Trayvilla gace the introduction. Three points: (1) Priests must be receptive to God’s message of renewal; (2) The need for priests to be formed into Christ’s image – union with Jesus, the High Priest; (3) priests must be men of action and contemplation. Receptive formed . acts of love.
Questions for reflection: (1) Am I growing in holiness? (2) fraternal love?; and (3) apostolic zeal?
Fr. Anthony Irineo, OAR shared his reflections on the song “You are Mine”
- “I will come to you in the silence”. Elijah encountered God in a gentle breeze ( 1 Kg 19: 9-18). Silent moment with God. Prayer before Blessed Sacrament.
- “I will lift you from all your fears” Jesus said: “courage. Do not be afraid (Mt. 14:28).
- “You will hear my voice. I claim you as my choice”. The sheep follow their shepherd because they recognize his voice. (cf. Jh. 10: 1-4).
- “Be still and know I am here”. “Be quiet before Yahweh and wait patiently for him” (Ps. 37:7). “Pause a while and know that I am God” (Ps. 46: 10). In silence and quiet one feels God’s presence.
- “I am hope for all who are hopeless”. For you alone are my hope, Lord, Yahweh I have trusted you since my youth” (Ps. 71:5). Trust in God when everything seems hopeless.
- “I am eyes for all who long to see”. Jesus asked the blind Bartimaeus: “what do you want me to do for you? The blind man answered: “Master, let me see again” (cf. Mt. 10: 51-52). To see again, we need God’s “eyes”. See the world again through God’s eyes.
- “In the shadows of the night, I will be your light”. Yahweh went before them…by night in the form of a pillar of fire to give them light; thus they could continue their march by day and by night” (Ex. 13:21). To show them their way so they would not lose their way.
- “Come and rest in me”. Jesus said: “Come to me, al you who labour and are overburdened and I will give you rest” (Mt. 11: 28). The retreat is one way of resting in the Lord.
- “Do not be afraid, I am with you”. God told Moses: “I shall be with you” (Ex. 3: 12). And to Jeremiah Yahweh said: “Do not be afraid of them for I am with you to protect you” (Jer. 1:8). In the midst of today’s burning issues of corruption, RH Bill, open pit mining, etc. prophets should not be afraid to tell the people, especially those in power, what God wants.
- “I have called you each by name”. Yahweh says: “I have called you by your name, you are mine” (Is. 43:1). Our personal, intimate relationship with God.
- “Come and follow me, I will bring you home” . The parable of the lost sheep (cf. Lk. 15: 1-7).
- “I love you and you are mine”. See Isaiah 43:1. We belong to God. What honor!
Bishop Arigo’s talks. Powerpoint. IDENTITY.
I. What is our identity as priests?
Knowing oneself is important, to know our priestly identity
Contents of personality: (1) values; (2) attitudes; and (3) needs.
Structure of personality: (1) ideal self; and (2) actual self. Inconsistencies: between ideal self and actual self; between needs and values and attitudes.
Values. 3 kinds: (1) ideal; (2) actual; and (3) cultural.
II. Priests are acting “in persona Christi”.
He shares in Christ’s salvific mission. Priesthood is a call (vocation) not a career (profession). Not a job; but a way of life, not a mere role; but an identity-configured to Christ, the Priest. So priests must be holy because Christ is holy.
Holiness is being in love with God who loves us first. Love is an act of self-donation expressed in loving acts. God is the greatest value.
Doing follows being. A holy priest does holy things.
Five Considerations
1) A priest is a man of God – He is the sign of God’s loving presence in the world.
2) A priest acts “in persona Christi”. His action should be Christ’s. He is configured to Christ.
3) A priest owes to the people a holy life. Scandals are termites that threaten the unity of the Church.
4) A priest must be in constant union with Christ. Apart from Christ a priest bears no good fruit. Without Christ a priest can’t do anything good. To be fruitful is to be united with Christ.
5) A priest must be the first one to benefit from the saving mysteries he celebrates.
(With reports from Fr. Joseph Morallon)
Conclusion
It was a very beneficial retreat. Growth in holiness. Good food and accommodation, courtesy of the 4 Augustinian Recollect Sisters. Cultural enhancement: trip to Iwahig Penal Colony, with dancing inmates; studying the crocodiles’ habits; seeing a scenic view from Mitras’ Place and to some; fireflies by night and underground river banca ride.
Thank you everyone for your prayers.
