St. Benedict Monastery and Retreat House, away from the monotonous life we have in the city, where Class A students rest, relax, release, reflect and renew. Living here for almost 3 days was such a good experience. Many memories have been built in this place. A bonding that was tightened with beautiful experiences that cannot be exchange for any expensive things.
It was Wednesday at 1:00 pm we met on the UIC Bonifacio where we rode the bus who took us on the retreat house. I was really excited that time because it was my first time to have a retreat since in high school I graduated on a public school. I was really anticipating what is retreat all about. Around 1:30 the bus arrived and we excitedly jumped in and took our sits. Quarter to 2 the bus went off and traveled for 2 hours. Upon arrival, we happily jumped off the bus and enter the lodge area. My close girlfriends and me took the first 3 rooms on the second floor since boys room were located on the first floor and girls were upstairs. My roommate was Bernil for only two people will occupy each room. We were suited in the center of Jesa-Paulique’s room and Mavis-Felice’s room. When we were all well suited, we were oriented by our instructor, the sister who was on the lodge area and the priest who will be our mentor. Then we were invited on a 6pm prayer with the monks. After that we ate our dinner and have a session with father. The session went well and ended at 8:45. After that we went to our each room since they let us rest early for they knew that we were tired. But due to stubborness we did not sleep yet. Instead we had a chitchat. The boys were so bad because they scared us. Hiding beside the chapel and we thought them as ghosts. We shouted and the sister got out on her room with her flashlight. We knew that she was really angry for we were so noisy and we disturbed her sleep. We were all scrambling and were running fast to our rooms and locked our doors. Bernil and me mistakenly forgot to turn off our lights so the sister knocked and sermoned us and ordered us to go to sleep.
On the second day, which is Thursday, some of my classmates attended an early mass. I did not attend since i want to sleep more (hehehe!bad Sha!) and Im not a Catholic (much valid reason ^_^). At 7 am the bell rang which says its breakfast time. Everybody was running because the last person to arrive will lead the prayer. We had a good breakfast. We had fresh cow’s milk. Yum!yum!yum! Then we all took our bath and another session with father. Between sessions with father we ate. Its either breakfast, 2 snacks (one in the morning and the other in the afternoon. Hehe!), lunch and dinner. The evening part was the most memorable one after eating dinner. Its the climax of our stay in the retreat house. We were able to say thank you, sorry and I love you to the classmate who ought to recieve those words. There I have found how special I am to them. We also have reflected the lessons we have learned.After the session we took pictures and videos. We havent slept yet since we still want to enjoy.
At morning, the last day of our last stay, we had our last session with father. Next was the confession and the last activity was the mass. At the mass we have given our thanks to our mentor. I saw in him that he was touched by the thanksgiving letter Dayday wrote. Then, after the mass we ate our lunch and got home with a smile on each face. We had a very bountiful lunch since we had a 2 birthday celebrants. The monastery was really a generous place. ^_^
Such a memorable place i will not forget. I have found true friendship there, learned many lessons and specially build unforgettable memories. I will always cherished this memory and even treasure Class A people. They’ve been my bothers, sisters and friends who were always there. Thanks for the people whom I exchanged candles with. Thanks guys for the friendship and memories. Manggraduate tang tnan!..^^
P.S
I miss the bell which says its kaon time..hahaha! I also miss the viands..3-4 putahi..wenkz!wala sa among boarding house ana..T_T.
