BACACAY, Albay, Nov. 11, 2009— In response to the resolutions passed during the Second Bicol Priests’ Congress calling for greater camaraderie and cooperation among the priests within the Metropolitan See of Caceres, the first-ever retreat for the region’s priests entered into its third day today at the Bethlehem Pastoral and Human Resource Development Center, this town.
The retreat’s theme is “Pading Bicolano sa Irarom kan Pangataman ni INA” (Bicolano Priests under the Care of INA, referring to the region’s patroness Our Lady of Penafrancia).
All but one of the speakers are Bicolano priests who were scheduled to talk about a variety of topics.
Professor Danilo Gerona talked about “A Historical Survey of the Penafrancia Devotion and Shaping of the Bicolano People.” Fr. Peter Berina talked about “Popular Religiosity n the light of the Penafrancia Devotion of the Bicolano People” while Fr. Wilmer Tria talked about “Renewal in the life and Ministry of the Bicolano Priests through the Devotion to Our Lady of Penafrancia.”
Fr. Andrew Reception discussed the importance of “Marian Inspiration in Building Priestly Solidarity” and Fr. Augusto Angeles talked about “St. John Mary Vianney: Model for the Bicolano Priest.”
Virac’s Social Action Center Director Fr. Laudemer Jose Gapaz will discuss “The Bicolano Priests’ Challenge to Social Responsibility and Virac’s Biblical scholar Msgr. Noe Delos Santos will talk about “Mary and the Word of God.”
The Bicolano bishops will take turns in presiding over the daily Masses during the retreat.
Bishop Joel Z. Baylon, the Bishop-Elect of Legazpi is the Chairperson of the Bicol Clergy Retreat.
The retreat was organized as part of the celebration of the Tercentenary of the Devotion to Our Lady of Penafrancia, as Mother of All Bicolano Priests, the year-long celebration of the Year of the Priests as declared by His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI and the 150th Anniversary of St. John Ma. Vianney, Patron of Priests and the Golden Jubilee of the Union of Bicol Clergy.
The retreat will draw to a close on Friday, November 13, 2009. (Fr. Louie Occiano)
