RATIONALE OF THE CENTER

We are created for union with God through love, which is expressed as a thirst for God and is evidently present in the world today. This is a positive sign that we exist for God as the center and fulfillment of our human existence. The Center of Spirituality intends to guide this thirst for God, to promote the spiritual life among the faithful and to lead people into a deeper relationship with God through Prayer, Silence and Solitude.


AIMS OF THE CENTER

- To respond to the need of the church in asia for deeper formation and direction in the spiritual life, especially in the area of ascetical and contemplative prayer.

- To guide the people in the knowledge, appreciation and experience of the Teresian Spirituality, the lives and teachings of the Christian mystics.

- To provide viable opportunities for spiritual renewal according to participant's vocation and mission in life.

- To enrich the asian cultural-religious values in the light of Sacred Scripture and Church teachings.


PROGRAM 2009

April 5-11 HOLY WEEK RETREAT
Lent is a time to pay attention to the life of the soul. This retreat highlights prayer and silence to nourish the spiritual life, to alert the soul to the stirrings of the spirit and to intensify love and surrender to God and greater acceptance of others. -by Father Alan Rieger, OCD

April 24-26 FEMININE SPIRITUALITY-EDITH STEIN
A leader of the first rank in women's education whose voice, trained in philosophical discourse, spoke lucidly and confidently of woman's natural gifts, professional competence and dignity. Her incessant quest for truth led us through the passage where reason meets faith. She had sought the truth and found God. -by OCDS Community (Makati)

May 8-14 SPIRITUALITY OF COMMUNIION: A PATH OF RENEWAL FOR OUR COMMUNITY LIFE
A five days guided retreat in contemplation, reflection and prayer to help us, religious, to face the challenge to make our community life a credible, attractive, meaningful, inspiring and transforming witness for our broken world today. -by Sr. Raquel V. Sanchez, CMT

Aug. 10-16 CALL WITHIN I
This is a five-day psycho-spiritual integration retreat seminar for OCDS in which the participants are led to experience of prayer, silence and solitude which enables them to deepen their self-knowledge, be more committed and responsible in their choices, and recognized their need for continuing growth and integration through contemplative life prayer. -by Father Ernesto Montuerto, OCD

Aug. 17-Sept. 19 30 DAY RETREAT
The desert is a place away from noice living. To go to the desert is go beyond the ordinary humdrum acceptance of things and reflect on their deeper meaning, conveyed in prayer, silence and solitude. -by Selected Spiritual Directors

Sept. 20-26 ENLIVING OUR LIFE OF SERVICE
Priestly holiness is to be found precisely in the priest's ministry. Ministry is an essential part of his identity. This retreat-seminar is desigend to help the priest find holiness in the challenges of self-giving precisely in his ministry as a shepherds after the model Jesus The Shepherd. -by Father Nadz Ruanto, OCD

Oct. 2-4 LAITY: GIFTED TO SERVE THE CHURCH
The laity play an indispensable role in the mission of the Church. Circumstances demand an urgent response. This three day 'pause' allows one to examine how they may concretely use this gifts of the Holy Spirit, and to accept that the fruitfulness of their involvement depends upon living in union with Christ. This brings about renewed zeal and vigor to improve the wide range of the temporal and spiritual that they are confronted with. -by Edith Burgos, OCDS

Oct. 18-24 GUIDED RETREAT FOR MEN AND WOMEN RELIGIOUS
This GUIDED RETREAT is for Religious in preparation for SIMPLE and PERPETUAL PROFESSION OF VOWS. -by Father Rey Sotelo, OCD

Nov. 9-14 MID-LIFE TRANSITION
This seminar designed for those who are undergoing the mid-life transition from 35-50years old. It explores the different tasks that an individual needs to face the second half of life. This seminar helps the person to integrate the different facets of his/her unique personality. -by Father Chito Reyes, OCD

Dec. 6-12 ADVENT RETREAT
A Carmelite retreat to prepare one's self to welcome the birth of the Prince of Peace and king of our hearts. -by Father Dan Fauste, OCD


"Being alone draws me aside so that I can love Christ at the center of my being..."


OTHER SERVICES


DIRECTED RETREAT Participants meet daily with their spiritual director to dialogue about their personal experience with God. Directed retreats can also be made by arrangement during any advertised retreat time.

GUIDED RETREAT Includes a common input session on a prayer theme, and common evening prayer. Individual spiritual director available.

PRAYER WEEKEND A two day silent retreat. Common input on prayer or spiritual life. Personal spiritual direction as available.

PRIVATE RETREAT or DAY/s of QUITE PRAYER Can be made by arrangement during any advertised retreat time.


CONTACTS
DISCALCED CARMELITE FRIARS
"Our Lady's Hill"
P.O Box 606
6100 Bacolod City
Tel/Fax (034) 703-8834
Tel. no. (034) 710-0002