Friday, August 31, 2012

Silent Retreat: Four Degrees of Prayer

The TOC communities in Baliuag,  Hagonoy and Sta. Maria in Bulacan went to the "Flos Carmeli" House of Prayer for their Annual Silent Retreat. This is in preparation for their Temporary Profession scheduled on September 15 and September 29. The theme of the retreat delves on the "Four Degrees of Prayer" as discussed by St. Teresa of Avila on her Autobiography.

The facilitator of the retreat were Bro. Ruel Santos, TOCarm. and Sis. Rossana Garcia, TOCarm. who both belong to the National Formation Team. The retreat started at 4 pm of August 31 and ended 12 nn of September 2. The retreatants also celebrated the feast of St. Teresa Margaret Redi whose relic was exposed throughout the retreat period. The retreatants were enlightened on the ins and outs of prayer as presented in the writings of "La Madre". On September 2, the retreatants also made a dawn procession of the Way of the Cross.
Sis. Rossana discussing the Third Degree of Prayer

The retreatants during the opening Mass

Fr. Paul Inez, SBD who presides during the Mass during the Retreat and administers the Sacrament of Confession

The new Altar of the Oratory of the Most Holy Name of Jesus

Early Dawn Way of the Cross

Early Dawn Way of the Cross

The retreatants with Fr. Paul

The retreatants outside the Flos Carmeli House of Prayer

Friday, August 17, 2012

Silent Retreat: Seasons of the Heart

On Aug. 17, the postulants and novices of the Third Order communities of San Luis, Pampanga; Project 6, Quezon City; Sta. Cruz, Laguna; and Baliuag, Bulacan undergo their annual retreat at the "Flos Carmeli" House of Prayer in Laguna. This is in preparation for their reception and profession to the Order. The retreat theme is based on "Seasons of the Heart". This was facilitated by the National Formation Team led by Bro. Ruel Santos, TOCarm. and Bro. Luis Barrientos, TOCarm. The Sacraments were administered by Rev. Paul Inez, SDB of the Tabor Retreat Center.
Bro. Luis facilitates one session of the retreat


Retreatants listening in one of the session

Blessing of the Holy Oil of Bl. Maria Sagrario

The retreatants

During the Sacrament of Confession