National retreat for priests slated in Cebu

CEBU, Philippines — The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) Episcopal Commission on Clergy is inviting all religious and diocesan priests to join the National Retreat for Priests (NRP) on November 7-9, 2023 at the IEC Convention Center in Cebu City.

In a press conference yesterday, Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma said around 3,000 religious and diocesan priests from the different archdioceses and dioceses in the country are expected to join the said retreat.

Palma is confident that the diocese can successfully host the delegation.

The retreat has a theme, “Priesthood: A Call to Holiness,” was supposed to be held during the 500 Years of Christianity amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, among others.

Palma said that around 700 priests from the Archdiocese of Cebu are expected to join the retreat as he urged the diocese and the religious to join the event.

Hosted by the Archdiocese of Cebu as part of the ongoing clergy formation in the Philippines, Sister Briege Mckenna, author of the book, “Miracles Do Happen” will be the event’s main speaker.

The Irish nun is known worldwide for the gift of healing and her ministry for priests.

Sister Briege has been giving retreats for priests for the past 50 years in over 100 countries. In the Philippines’ retreat, she will be joined by a Spanish priest, Rev. Fr. Pablo Escriva de Romani.

The retreat will be done in collaboration with the Marian Solidarity and CHARIS Philippines.

“After having concluded the celebrations for the 500 Years of Christianity in the Philippines, we now turn once again to the Lord as we continue with this Synodal journey, in deepening and spreading the Faith that we have received. It is in this light that we spend these days of retreat and reflection on the Priesthood and the call to holiness. It is my prayer that you journey with us in this NRP 2023, and that these days be helpful, meaningful, and fruitful, as we carry on with joy in our priestly ministry,” said Palma, in his message to the upcoming event.

Fe Barino, the Overall Working Committee chair of the NRP 2023, also said that so far there are 22 Archdioceses and Dioceses have already registered wherein seven from Luzon, eight from the Visayas and seven from Mindanao.

Barino said since the venue is limited, the event would be a first come, first serve basis

Barino added that the registration fee is P2,500 which include kits, IDs, lunch and snacks for all three days of the event, and transportation to and from the venue.

The registration fee does not include accommodation.

The committee is urging the priests to join and registered their intention to join by contacting the email address [email protected] or contact Barino at her cell phone number 09173216717, or Kathrina Buletin, the NRP 2023 General Secretariat chair, at her cell phone number 09957662168.

The Catholic faithful are requested to pray for the success of the retreat as prayer for the NRP 2023 will be said in all masses starting August 6 to November 11, 2023. — Rowena D. Capistrano (FREEMAN)