Tagaytay City—Members of the Divine Word Institute of Mission Studies (DWIMS) Alumni Association, Inc., and the DWIMS Tagaytay Chapter of the SVD Lay Mission Partners gathered for a day of reflection and spiritual renewal last February 17, 2024.
The Lenten recollection commenced at 9:00 AM with a captivating and inspiring talk delivered by DWIMS founder and first Director, Rev. Fr. Edgar G. Javier, SVD. Fr. Edgar's words resonated with the audience, setting the tone for a day of introspection and enlightenment.
Following Fr. Edgar's address, Rev. Fr. Hazer Cango, SVD, took the floor to lead a session titled "Introduction to Methods of Bible Sharing." This interactive talk was met with keen interest as attendees delved into various methods of understanding and sharing the Holy Scriptures. The following group sharing session, grounded in the Biblical reading of the day, fostered a sense of community and deeper connection among participants.
After a nourishing lunch, attendees embarked on a spiritual journey by praying the Way of the Cross at the Stations of the Cross located in front of the DWIMS building. The Way of the Cross began with the opening prayer from Rev. Fr. Joseph Nguyen Duy Khuon, followed by each station led by a representative from the attending DWIMS alumni and SVD lay mission partners.
Afterwards, the Sacrament of Reconciliation was made available to attendees, presided over by DWIMS priests. This opportunity for reconciliation allowed participants to seek spiritual guidance and receive the sacrament of penance during the Lenten season.
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At 3:00 PM, Rev. Fr. Samuel "Sam" Naceno-Agcaracar, SVD, Director of DWIMS and Rector of the SVD Tagaytay Community, presided over the Holy Mass at the Manus Dei Hall. The Mass served as a poignant reminder of the significance of sacrifice and redemption, central themes of the Lenten season.
During the Holy Mass, Fr. Edgar delivered a heartfelt homily, encouraging attendees to “give everything, including (their) sins to the Lord” and to remember that “the heart is where the Lord stays within (them)”.
As the day drew to a close, attendees gathered for a short program to mark the launch of the official DWIMS website and social media pages.
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Read more about Fr. Edgar’s homily through the link below:
Read more about the launch ceremony for the DWIMS website and social media pages through the link below: