My 2007 Holy Week in SVD Tagaytay (1)

My 2007 Holy Week in SVD Tagaytay
 
April 4, 2007 Wednesday
 
My niece, Eloisa, offered to give me a lift to Tagaytay for my scheduled retreat from Holy Thursday to Easter Sunday.
 
It was a day early but I took the offer instead of risking to travel to Tagaytay by public transport. I contacted Fr. Meng, SVD who was kind enough to accommodate me in spite of the short notice. I asked him,"Is there room at the inn, Fr.Meng?"
 
5:20 am I was picked up from my apartment. From then on, it was a non-stop "kuwento", afterwhich I popularized the expression "anyway". Ha ha ha!
 
At 7:30 am, we arrived in Tagaytay. We drove close to a tricycle driver and asked for directions. "Mama, saan po ang Divine Word?" To which he replied, "Sa SVD!" Ha ha ha!
 
We reached the SVD Compound, 8 hectares of beautiful and luscious green. We were met and directed courteously by the guard.
 
Fr. Meng was there to meet me. He then ushered me to my 5-bed-room. I told him I am on my own. I was then transferred to a 3-bed-room in Arnoldus Zentrum on the third floor. The church was only few steps when you go out of the building.
 
We agreed to meet at 10 for a getting-to-know-you talk.
 
Meanwhile, I spent the two hours taking photos of the beautiful garden. I hope you enjoy them as much as I did.
 
Quotable quotes from my stay:
 
"Married couples have first priority in heaven......because they have been through hell."   Fr. Jerry Orbos, SVD
 
"LAST SUPPER:
Jesus: "Ikaw Pedro kahit di pa tumitilaok ang tandang, idedeny mo na ako ng 3 beses kaagad. At ikaw Hudas, Hudas hoy Hudas! makinig ka at huwag basa ng basa ng text." texted by a friend
 
"To those I have wronged, I ask forgiveness. To those I may have helped, I wish I did more. To those who helped me, I sincerely thank you." texted by a friend
 
"kung ikaw ay mataba
ang bilbil kitang kita
mayroon ka pang pag-asa
God bless you
Mama Mary loves you" sang by Fatima, blind girl
 
"kung ikaw ay walang pera
at ikaw ay may utang pa
mayroon ka pang pag-asa
God loves you
Mama Mary loves you"
 
"kung ikaw ay soltera
at wala pang asawa
mayroo ka pang pag-asa
God bless you
Mama Mary loves you" sang by Fatima, blind girl
 
"the more fear we have, the farther we are from God. the closer we are to God, there is no more fear."
 
"sins give us fear. "
 
"Let us make a commitment not to hurt anyone as we pass by."
 
"The truth will set you free."

Allow me to welcome you to the Divine Word Missionary (SVD)Compound in Tagaytay. You need not worry, it is my first time, too. I have heard so much about the SVD
Retreat Centre in Tagaytay for so many years. I only had the opportunity to experience it this year. Fr. Bernard Espiritu, SVD New York recommended it to me.
Fr. Emmanuel Menguito, SVD Tagaytay accommodated my request for a Holy Week retreat. And what an experience of a lifetime it was!
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Welcome to SVD!

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The tennis courts.

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A friendly sign directing to the Retreat Centre.

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The SVD Retreat Centre

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My room at the Zentrum Centre

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My beds, yes beds!

Fr. Meng was there to meet me. He then ushered me to my 5-bed-room. I told him I am on my own. I was then transferred to a 3-bed-room in Arnoldus Zentrum on the third floor.
The church was only few steps when you go out of the building.
 
We agreed to meet at 10 for a getting-to-know-you talk.
Meanwhile, I spent the two hours taking photos of the beautiful garden. I hope you enjoy them as much as I did.
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The bathroom. It flushes!

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St. Arnold Janssen's (founder) bust in the gaden.

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Part of the beautiful SVD garden

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A gardener who maintains the garden.

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The Holy Spirit Church

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The church when I arrived on Wednesday

This a home to many pilgrims. Thousands of people must have come and gone from Holy Thursday to Easter Sunday. On Holy Thursday, I sat at the back. I was in awe seeing hundreds of groups: families, workmates, neigbourhoods, friends, classmates came and did the Visita Iglesia and the Stations of the Cross.
They came in buses, jeepneys, cars, vans, tricycles, etc. I was really tempted to take a video of what was happening around me. But my heart tells me, "you have already captured these scenes in your heart. Let it remain there."
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The SVD compound is a home to many. Everyone is welcome. The priests and seminarians even provided public toilets for everyone. They are well-marked for everybody.Gone are the days when seminaries were off limits to the public. They welcome, they shared and happy to be of help to everyone.