Joshua Bennett
The Philippines has a strong Catholic presence, with more than 86% of the population identifying as Roman Catholic, making it the third-largest Catholic population globally. The country offers a range of Catholic retreats, such as those provided by the Oblates of the Virgin Mary in Cebu City and other locations, as well as the Cenacle Retreat House in Quezon City. These retreats aim to deepen participants' relationships with God and encourage reflection on their faith.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To reflect on their faith, contemplate upcoming life decisions and grow their personal relationship with God |
| Location | Cebu City, Philippines |
| Organizer | Oblates of the Virgin Mary |
| Start Date | 16-22 June 2025 |
| Duration | Weekend, a week, or 30 days |
| Type | Individual or group |
| Price | Not mentioned, but free cancellation offered by some organizers |
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What You'll Learn
Oblates of the Virgin Mary
The Oblates of the Virgin Mary is a religious institute of priests and brothers founded by Bruno Lanteri in the Kingdom of Sardinia in the early 19th century, specifically in 1816. Lanteri first founded the Oblates of Mary Most Holy as a diocesan right congregation. However, after a five-year hiatus, some of the original members re-established themselves as "The Oblates of the Virgin Mary" and received papal approval from Pope Leo XII on 1 September 1826. The Oblates have since worked throughout Italy and its islands, as well as in France, Austria, Myanmar (Burma), Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil, the United States of America, Mexico, Canada, the Philippines, and Nigeria.
The Oblates of the Virgin Mary began their retreat work in the Philippines in 1997 through their retreat house in Cebu City. They offer a variety of Catholic retreats, for both individuals and groups, that aim to deepen one's connection to and relationship with God. In a directed retreat, the retreatant meets daily with a priest who suggests specific scripture passages related to themes such as God's love, mercy, and the call to serve. The retreatant then spends several prayer sessions each day praying over these scriptures and asking for related graces. This process helps individuals to hear and follow God's message for them at their particular life stage. Individual retreats can be as short as a weekend or as long as 30 days.
The Oblates of the Virgin Mary's charism is rooted in Lanteri's childhood experience of growing up in a strongly religious household and his love for the Virgin Mary, which deepened after his mother's death when he was four years old. The institute is characterized by a zeal for preaching and the sacrament of confession, following the Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius of Loyola and the moral theology of St. Alphonsus Liguori. It is also marked by love for Mary and fidelity to the magisterium.
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Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius
The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius are a set of Christian meditations, contemplations, and prayers written by Ignatius of Loyola, a 16th-century Spanish Catholic priest, theologian, and founder of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits). The Exercises are divided into four "weeks" of varying lengths, with each week representing a stage in the process of wholehearted commitment to the service of God.
The first week of the Exercises focuses on reflection on one's life in light of God's boundless love. Participants face their sins, recognizing that God wants to free them from anything hindering their relationship with Him. The first week concludes with a meditation on Christ's call to follow Him.
The second week teaches individuals how to follow Christ as his disciples. This involves reflecting on specific Scripture passages, such as Christ's birth and baptism, his sermon on the mount, his ministry of healing and teaching, and his raising of Lazarus from the dead.
The third week centers on episodes in the life of Jesus, his passion, and his resurrection. It is a time to contemplate God's love and find God in all things, which is often seen as the goal of Ignatian spirituality.
The fourth week emphasizes sin and God's mercy, encouraging participants to guard against particular sins or faults and examine them more deeply in the afternoon. This week also introduces the concept of the Examen, a daily prayer period where individuals express gratitude to God, reflect on their experiences, and seek guidance for the future.
The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius are designed to be adaptable, allowing directors to guide retreatants through the process of reflection and spiritual growth. They can be completed in a secluded retreat setting or over a longer period without isolation. The Exercises have impacted not only Catholics but also Christians of other denominations who find value in the retreat's spirituality.
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Devotion to Mary and the saints
One prominent title under which Mary is venerated in the Philippines is the Immaculate Conception. The invocation of the Immaculate Conception dates back to 1578 when Pope Gregory XIII decreed that the Manila Cathedral be erected under this title. The Immaculate Conception remains the principal Patroness of the Philippine Islands, with her feast day on December 8 being one of the three holy days of obligation in the Catholic Calendar of the Philippines.
Another important title of Mary in the Philippines is Our Lady of Perpetual Help, represented in a celebrated 15th-century Byzantine icon. This icon depicts the Virgin Mary with the Child Jesus in her arms, with a sandal falling from his foot, symbolizing the passion and suffering they endured.
Filipinos often have statues or shrines of Mary in their homes, and many travel to Baclaren on Wednesdays to participate in devotions and Masses dedicated to her. These devotions and Masses provide an opportunity for Filipinos to share in the company of Mother and Son and to seek comfort and understanding in their own lives.
In addition to devotion to Mary, Filipinos also have a strong devotion to the saints. One example is the veneration of St. Teresa of Avila, whose interior castle can be explored through retreats in medieval castles in the Philippines.
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Cenacle Retreat House
The Cenacle Retreat House in Quezon City, Philippines, has been an oasis of peace and solitude since its establishment in 1968. It offers a variety of Catholic retreats, including group retreats and individual retreats, which can last for a weekend, a week, or 30 days. The retreat house is facilitated by religious sisters from different congregations.
The Oblates of the Virgin Mary, who run the retreat house, believe that the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius through directed retreat are the best way to become a saint. This involves meeting daily with a priest who suggests specific scripture passages related to themes such as God's love, mercy, and the call to serve. Retreatants then spend time in prayer, reflecting on these scriptures and seeking guidance from God.
The Cenacle Retreat House is a place where Filipino Catholics can take time to reflect on their faith, contemplate life decisions, and deepen their relationship with God. It provides an opportunity for spiritual growth and a chance to celebrate one's Catholic faith. The house is also a resource for those seeking direction in their lives, as the priests and sisters offer spiritual guidance and support.
The Oblates of the Virgin Mary have been offering retreats in the Philippines since 1997, and they have conducted hundreds of retreats and recollections in Cebu and other parts of the country. They also provide direction in Visayan or Tagalog for those who prefer it. The Oblates take their work beyond the Philippines, as they have also conducted retreats and seminars in other Asian countries, including India, Japan, South Korea, Mongolia, and Papua New Guinea.
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Private/Directed Retreats
The Philippines has a strong Catholic culture, with more than 86% of the population identifying as Roman Catholic. The Oblates of the Virgin Mary and the Cenacle Retreat House in Quezon City are two organizations that offer Catholic retreats in the country.
The Oblates of the Virgin Mary offer directed retreats at their retreat house in Cebu City, which can last a weekend, a week, or 30 days. In a directed retreat, the retreatant meets daily with a priest who suggests relevant scripture passages related to themes such as God's love and mercy. The retreatant then spends their day in prayer, reflecting on these scriptures and asking for graces. This process helps individuals deepen their relationship with God and discern His will for their lives.
The Cenacle Retreat House also offers private/directed retreats facilitated by a Cenacle Sister. These retreats can be tailored to the individual's desires, capacities, and needs and may include the complete Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius for 30 days or a shorter adaptation. The Cenacle Sister provides daily guidance and support throughout the retreat.
Both organizations respect the privacy of individuals on private/directed retreats while also providing the structure and resources needed for a meaningful spiritual experience. These retreats offer a valuable opportunity for Filipinos to strengthen their faith and celebrate their Catholic culture.
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Frequently asked questions
Catholic retreats in the Philippines are an important time for Filipino Catholics to reflect on their faith, celebrate their devotion to Mary and the saints, and grow their personal relationships with God. The Oblates of the Virgin Mary, for example, offer directed retreats through their retreat house in Cebu City, where retreatants meet daily with a priest who suggests scripture passages related to themes like God's love and mercy.
The Oblates of the Virgin Mary and Cenacle Retreat House are two organizations that offer Catholic retreats in the Philippines. The Oblates of the Virgin Mary have been offering retreats in the Philippines since 1997, while the Cenacle Retreat House has been an oasis of peace and solitude in Quezon City since 1968.
There are a variety of Catholic retreats available in the Philippines, including private/directed retreats for individuals and group retreats. Directed retreats involve daily meetings with a priest or spiritual director, who guides the retreatant through scripture passages and prayer. Group retreats can also be adapted to include individual guidance and direction.
