Last May 14-16, 2010, a group of 40 Xavier School faculty and staff attended a three-day silent retreat at St. Scholastica Retreat House in Tagaytay City. Dubbed as “3-Day Vacation with the Lord”, the group was accompanied by seven retreat directors: Fr. Art Borja SJ, Fr. Guy Guibelondo SJ, Fr. Rudy Fernandez SJ, Sr. Mel Benedictos RC, Sr. Sheila Jaso RC, Sr. Yna Onate RC, Ms. Aida Endaya and Ms. Rory Valdellon.

Here are some of their reflections of the retreat:

I thought SPEX would be a time to rest, a respite from all the noise and work around me. Yes, it was a physical rest but a rekindling experience with the Lord. It was the best spiritual experience I had. During this spiritual retreat, I opened my heart to God and created a big space for Him. Silence and prayers helped me in my journey of remembering my past and understanding God’s plan in my life. God has His ways of putting things in order. Now, I know that all things that happened in my past made me a better person. Really, God’s grace is overwhelming! –Joy Isidro, GS Filipino Teacher

At the start of the SPEX, I had to make a very big effort to keep silence, to focus and to pray. My mind was on the concerns I left behind in school and in my home. I felt my prayers and reflections were not deep enough.However, with the help of my retreat director, I began to have a personal relationship with Jesus. I was introduced to the contemplative way of reflection which was a wonderful experience for me. The scripture passages came alive. I could see the characters in the passages literally jump out of the Bible. For the first time, I was in the scene with them, walking with them, conversing with them and feeling their emotions. My prayers and reflections became two sometimes three-way conversations with Jesus and with the other characters and I experienced a deep relationship with God. –Techa Fainsan, GS MAPE Coordinator

I have often heard and eventually accepted that: “God knows what is best for us, His generosity is overflowing, He makes all things beautiful in His time.” These became even more true during the 3-day Vacation with God. I realized the importance of spending some quiet time, alone listening… I know I am now on a journey back to discovering myself and my God. The 3 days was a rediscovery of God’s unconditional love and forgiveness. A blessing which I shall gather strength from especially during times of difficulty.–Bambi Chua, DARO

I was very lucky to be invited to the 3 day Ignatian SpEx. The experience I had was such a blessing and a special opportunity to come to know our Father in a personal way. –Julie Bulayog, GS Filipino Teacher

I had a wonderful time resting, praying, no-pressure days, no phones, ‘buhay-hari’, being ‘holy’ again. It was a blessing in disguise that the place was also noisy. Because amidst the noise and the din of the construction, I was able to be alone and enjoy my aloneness with God. In the real world, it is really noisy and I also have to find my aloneness with God amidst the din.–Josy Agoncillo, PE Teacher

I am thankful that I was given the chance to attend this wonderful experience. Fr. Guy, my Retreat Director is a “cool guy”. Through his guidance, I had the chance to step back and reflect about my life as a Christian. Celebrating Christmas in May is a once in a lifetime experience and this has made me realized that everyone may celebrate Christmas anytime. Also, the exercise Fr. Art asked us to do was a great experience because I had the chance to enter His room, meet Him, and see what’s in store for us when we finally go back to Him.The entire retreat was really a “vacation with the Lord” and it was worth remembering and worth doing all over again. –Baby Alfonso, GS LRC Staff

Personally, it was an experience more gratifying than previous experiences (recollections) I had for almost a decade now. For so many years that I have been attending mass, I never went to confession in the presence of a priest. It was during this three day retreat that I found my way back to Him via the sacrament of Reconciliation and I am very grateful. –Rey Sabio, PE Department

I worry too much and gets upset about too many things….. earthly things……. I concentrated so much on those which are important to me on this earth; my family, my career….. and these take so much of my time, my energy, my all…..so that at the end of everyday, I find my physical body so tired, my mind still busy thinking of too many concerns for the next day and my spirit is numb. I hardly had time to say a little prayer before I rest my tired body to sleep. Lord, what have I done to myself? Thank you for an early realization that I should not worry about my life….. about all my needs because I know LORD that you know what my needs are. The most important thing that I need to do is to seek first the Kingdom of God and HIS righteousness and all these things will come into place**Quoted from reflection notes during the 3-day vacation with God–Ditas Dairo, Head Registrar

I want to seek silence as I go through with my life right now. Silence will make me live life more responsive, reflective and positive about everything that will come my way. I pray that with the gift of silence, I’ll be able to deepen my relationship with my Creator and have that heart to heart moment with Him. With the experienced I had in those three days, I want to live my life to the fullest with prayer as my anchor and solace to make a difference not only for my sake but for all those whom I‘ll encounter everyday. God will lead the way. It was an opportunity that I embraced and I am so grateful that it came to me at this point in my life. God cannot really be outdone.–Rose Lea Gonzalez, GS English Teacher

Truly, God met me where I am…kept me to dwell and stay on it as much as I needed. Those were moments of bursting out of emotion, feelings of grief for the sudden loss of a loved one, who was very close to my heart. God was not only and attentive listener but has allowed me to spend time crying, grieving. I brought everything to God in prayer and God was so patient in me, assuring me that He understood why I was feeling that way. Through the silent retreat, I began to see again God’s everlasting love for e whether in good times or in bad times. It was an avenue open to me who is longing for growing relationship with God. I was looking at myself, for the gifts given to me by God and how to use these gifts. I have also committed to have a certain amount of prayer time each day.–Emma Almirañez, TRC Coordinator