Silence, Word, and Encounter: Wellsprings of Mission

Paulines Rekindle Zeal in Annual Retreat

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Tagaytay City & Alfonso, Cavite — Amid the speed and noise of our times, the apostles of communication sought the quiet presence of Jesus Master, the Divine Communicator. The priests and brothers of the Society of St. Paul (SSP) entered this sacred silence during their Annual Retreat, themed “Conformed to Christ, Him We Proclaim”, under the guidance of Fr. Norman Melchor Peña, Jr., Director of the Center for Pauline Spirituality and Animation (CPSA).

The first batch, held August 1–6, 2025, gathered perpetually professed members of the Congregation at Maryridge Renewal Center, Tagaytay City. Leading them was Fr. Dionisio Miranda, SVD—past president of the University of San Carlos in Cebu City, former Provincial Superior of the Society of the Divine Word, and professor of moral theology. Fr. Miranda explored Filipino spirituality through the lens of the Ama Namin (Our Father), interweaving it with Jesus’ approach to discipleship—as trainer, instructor, mentor, formator, and mystagogue—and St. Paul’s apostolic zeal. He invited participants to live and communicate Trinitarian spirituality within the cultural realities of today.

The second batch, held August 10–15, 2025 at the St. Paul Center for Renewal in Alfonso, Cavite, was led by Msgr. Pedro Gerardo Santos, a renowned Catholic educator, professor of moral theology and catechesis, and parish priest. Drawing from the life of Blessed James Alberione—whom he described as “frail yet one of the most fruitful men of our time”—Msgr. Santos highlighted the founder’s extraordinary vision to establish ten religious congregations and institutes despite physical limitations. Alberione’s missionary fruitfulness, he noted, was anchored in three “theologies”: the Theology of Bended Knees—praying, listening to the Word of God, and discerning with the Holy Spirit during Mass and Visit to the Blessed Sacrament; the Theology of the Armchair—tirelessly writing and pioneering new initiatives; and the Theology on the Move—founding and nurturing communities across nations.

Msgr. Santos also reflected on the five signs of holiness outlined by Pope Francis in his Apostolic Exhortation on Holiness in Today's World, Gaudete et Exsultate, illustrated through personal experiences: inner strength from the Lord (pagkakaugat kay Hesus) producing patience, perseverance, and humility; a joyful sense of humor (pagkamasiyahin) flowing from an ordered and surrendered life; a spirit of community (pakikibahagi) that meets the human need to belong, support, affirm, forgive, and be forgiven; constant prayer (pananampalataya) that keeps one open to God in all seasons of life; and passionate boldness (pagiging matapang at matatag)—creativity, courage, and clarity in communicating Catholic doctrine and social teaching while remaining innovative in the age of Artificial Intelligence.

He urged the Paulines to “be more and give more”—to be "mystics, prophets, and servants"; to be “geniuses, experts, and trailblazers” in using social media as a “new powerful way to fight evil” through the proclamation of truth and the witness of holiness.

This year’s retreat was not merely a pause but a sacred resetting of mind and heart. It rekindled the Paulines’ commitment to be not just active messengers, but contemplative communicators—carrying Christ’s light with renewed fidelity, whether in personal encounters or across the boundless reach of the digital age.