Story & Photos By Rachel Mae De Gracia
The pioneering college Thomasians, BS Criminology and BS Entrepreneurship students, had their first Recollection at Monteagudo Recoletos in Barangay Rizal, with Rev. Fr. Monday Benjamin Edobor, OAR, as the retreat master.
The Recollection series for the college students was held last March 21, 22 & 23, 2023 and it was the first time that Monteagudo Recoletos was re-opened to students after the pandemic.
Filled with excitement, Thomasians rode the iconic red school bus to take a brief respite from schoolwork and focus on their spiritual health. The 10-minute hike to the retreat center was also a fitting physical preparation for the recollection. With the tranquility of the setting, Thomasians fully participated in the recollection.
College students reflected on themselves with forgiveness as the core topic, a theme fitting for this season of Lent. Fr. Edobor emphasized the need to forgive so that our Father in heaven will forgive us, using the parable of the unforgiving servant as an example.
“The best example of forgiveness is Jesus Christ,” he reflected as he cited that Christ himself said, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34)
In the activity “The Tree of Forgiveness,” participants freely shared their thoughts on forgiveness and demonstrated their creativity and comprehension. A Holy Mass celebrated in the Underground Chapel commenced the spiritual activity.
