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I've been to 3 Catholic Religious Retreats 2 years back in the Diocese of Erie, Pennsylvania. Our catholic college chaplain, and my very good friend, Father Mark Hofman, asked me to come one day with some catholic students. I was hesitant at first, but I acquiesced.

We went in a blue van that Pops drove (I used to call Father Hofman as 'Pops' because he was a very strong father-like figure for me when i was in college, lol). We went to the cadence hall in Gannon University. When I entered the hall with my fellow Alleghenians, I was surprised to see dozens of students in our age group (18-22). There we talked and chatted, and then out of nowhere we were introduced to His Eminence, Bishop Trautman, the Bishop of the Diocese of Erie, Pennsylvania.

O what an experience it was. We had religious dialogue concerning everything. We talked about catholic tradition, scripture, the need to strengthen ties between Catholics and Protestants, concepts of Judaism. We even had a little debate on the Church's views on Judaism and Islam. And other faith traditions. It was so spiritually enlightening as well as eye opening for me.

I never had an experience like it before, in terms of spiritual awakening. We prayed, we did a benediction to the Blessed Sacrament of Christ Jesus, homilies.

For me, the event passed by so quickly even though it lasted for 4 some hours. When in prayer with fellow catholic collegians, my eyes were running down with tears because of the feeling of content, joy, fulfillment in my heart.

One word that really describes it is this: BEAUTIFUL.

I went to several other catholic religious retreats, but the experience of the first time will always be in my heart. Many of us would claim that we were 'Born Again' into the One True Church.

And to that, I give thanks to Christ Jesus and for his continual blessing and guidance of the Holy Mother The Church. And to the 1.2 billion Catholic Christian faithful.


In Jesus' Name.

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I have been to a lot of Catholic religious retreats back when I was still in the Philippines and the best place was at the Monastery of Transfiguration in Malaybalay, Bukidnon.  Not only did I go there for religious retreats but also just to simply "retreat" from the hustle and bustle of the big city.  The place was a perfect place to commune with God.  So solemn, so simple and so peaceful.  So placid.

There was one time, a Friday afternoon, after a very hectic week at work, I just drove up to the mountains of Bukidnon and went straight to the Monastery.  The monks accept me there like I am their lost ship.  I slept and slept but mid day the next day, one of my friend monks, Dom Joseph, knocked my window and told me that there was a prayer meeting at the chapel.  I dragged myself up, had lunch and went to the chapel.  Oh, that was so beautiful but what I enjoyed most was during vespers.   I remember I used to sit in the garden after the vespers and all I hear was the chirping of the birds and crickets and just the stars to light the sky.  I felt so secured. When our surrounding is quiet, God speaks in our hearts clearly.

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Dong, I'd love you to experience and visit the Monastery of Transfiguration, too.  One time, I went there, I saw Cory Aquino and a Cojuangco spending their weekends there too.  And the children's choir that used to sing during the masses, was another thing to look forward too then but just too bad it has been disbanded already.

Here's a link of the Monastery of Transfiguration in Malaybalay, Bukidnon.

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