The Sacred Heart Novitiate: Communing with God in an Oasis of Peace

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

For the last seventy years, the Sacred Heart Novitiate which houses the Jesuit Retreat House and Seminar Center has been the spiritual abode of countless Jesuits and lay persons that have allowed their spirituality to be enriched by its sanctity.

Walking through the Novitiate’s peaceful grounds

In 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?)

At my back is one of several chapels – this one housed at the Retreat House wing

In addition, the Retreat House every year reserves the period from the last Monday of October to the third week of November for those making the Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius – a full thirty (30) day spiritual retreat.

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.

In the stillness of our hearts, the God of silence speaks…

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.

The Grand Slam: Shakey's humungous 4-in-1 Pizza

You’ll also look wonderfully amazed at this

humungous 18 inch pizza

The makers of the country’s “greatest” pizza just turned the heat up with the introduction of its newest innovative food product – the “Grand Slam”!

The Grand Slam is one huge 18 inch pizza composed of four favorite pizza flavors namely Classic Italian Sausage, Pepperoni, Friday’s Special (and my personal all - time favorite…) Shakey’s Special.

For a little over six hundred pesos, Pizza fanatics like me can munch away on this gargantuan creation served with either a free pitcher of House Blend Iced Tea or soft drink in a friendly neighborhood Shakey’s Pizza Restaurant near you.

If you have some disposable income lying in your pockets and have a craving for pizza then you may want to take on this hot mama!

I’ve said it once; I’ll say it a hundred times….pizza is what saints eat in heaven. …..and I’m not surprised if the Grand Slam is on the heavenly menu!

Faith with a party perfect pizza!