Two deacons and two fifth year Theology seminarians of the Archdiocese of Caceres completed a thirty-day Ignatian Retreat at the Holy Rosary Major Seminary, which was conducted from May 17 to June 17 this year.
Accompanying them in their spiritual journey as retreat master is Fr. Anthony Imperial, member of the Archdiocesan Commission on the Clergy. The month-long retreat is usually considered a necessary preparation for every candidate to the diaconate and priesthood.
A retreat in the Ignatian tradition is a process of prayer and reflection that follows the rhythm of revelation from creation, sinfulness and reconciliation to the life of Jesus; his passion and death; and his resurrection. Such retreat climaxes in a prayer that celebrates our participation in the loving engagement of God with the world, or the so-called Contemplation to Attain Divine Love.
The Archdiocese of Caceres is blessed with priestly vocations. The following deacons and seminarians finished the above-mentioned retreat:
Rev. Jayson Gaite of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Parish.Santiago Iriga City, Camarines Sur
Rev. Felipe Dalanon III of St.Therese of the Child Jesus Parish, San Jose Pili, Camarines Sur
Sem. Angel Dorosan of Sto. Domingo de Guzman Parish, Sto. Domingo, Nabua
Sem. Robert Bañal of St. Paschal Baylon Parish, Tinambac, Camarines Sur
Two other deacons, Rev. Mark Anthony Beria of the Immaculate Concepcion Parish, Naga City, and Rev. Nellou Nierva of the St Anthony of Padua Parish, Camaligan, Camarines Sur, also finished the same retreat earlier.
According to Fr. Joey Gonzaga, Rector of the Holy Rosary Major Seminary, the 2020 Ordination to the Diaconate will be held on July 4, while the Ordination to the Priesthood is set on August 8.