When was the last time you talked to God?
I mean when did you really have a heart to heart talk with God?
When we pray, when we meditate, when we reflect on what we have done in our lives, or when we simply listen to His messages…during all those times we need to spend quality time with the Lord. There are places that help us achieve those precious moments with the Lord. The Sacred Heart Novitiate is one such special place.
As you enter its gates along Quirino Highway in Novaliches, Quezon City, and walk trough its long and winding path going to the main facilities, one immediately feels a sense of inherent splendor and tranquility. As you look up old acacia and mahogany trees lined up the road, you enter a cathedral of nature which exudes an aura of holiness. One cannot simply deny the loving presence of the Divine.
The Novitiate has been the spiritual oasis of countless souls
Walking through the Novitiate’s peaceful groundsIn the Novitiate’s vast 22 hectare grounds one could easily discover a quiet place to be in touch with nature, to commune with God. Several chapels, function rooms, conference rooms, mess halls and areas of prayer abound as well as a pool of retreat directors, religious and lay persons, adequate for virtually all kinds of requirement for an individual or group retreat. To reinvigorate the spirit as well as the physical body, sports facilities are also available like its basketball, and volleyball courts, a soccer field, swimming pool and pelota station (Does anyone still play pelota?)
Christmas lanterns hang along the hallowed corridors of the Novitiate
The first time I entered the Novitiate was during a De La Salle University sponsored seminar for college instructors like me then in the late ‘80s. Since then, I have always yearned at the opportunity to again experience its “energy” or what others have gone to call as “spirit”.
That chance was realized late this year from November 30 – December 2 when as Pastoral Formation Office (PFO) Coordinator for my Couples for Christ chapter, I headed the service team that conducted a Marriage Enrichment Retreat (MER) I in its premises. Months before, Sonny Boy (whom I accompanied during his basketball team practice in nearby Mater Carmeli School) and I went to the Novitiate to inquire about its facilities after nearly two decades of not being able to revisit it. I was so contented to feel the "spirit" of the Novitiate was still there, strong as ever.
That “spirit” is said to be the fruit of total experiences of numerous people "who have walked through its footpaths, prayed in its shrines, hugged its trees and inhaled its silences".
In need of quiet moments with the Lord?
Sacred Heart Novitiate beckons you…welcomes you to spend time with God.
3 comments:
nice article. i stayed in this place for 2years as jesuit novice. God bless
sir, i'd like to ask your permission for me to re-post your blog in my FB page.my intention is to encourage families, relatives, and friends to also experience the spiritual retreat in Sacred Heart Novitiate.
thank you
Nolan Llanora
Sir, I would like to ask for your permission to use one of your picture? I will use it as a background to a picture I am doing. I just went to a retreat in the Retreat House and I would like to share with friends the fruit of that retreat.
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