My Joy May Be In You

​A Verbum Dei National Disciples Retreat held in Tagaytay City

​Twenty-nine (29) Verbum Dei Missionary Disciples from the Manila-Pasig, Pansol, Tagaytay and Cagayan de Oro Communities journeyed together to the National Disciples Silent Retreat from May 1 to 5, 2024, at the Verbum Dei Retreat House in Tagaytay.

Accompanying them was a team of missionaries from various communities – Fr. Michael Cheong (Pansol), Sr. Maribel Martin (Cebu), Sr. Angela Bedoya (Manila-Pasig) and the Missionary Married Couple Cookie Abrio (CDO).

It was indeed a joyful encounter for the missionary disciples as they were able to receive and deepen their understanding of the four (4) different sources of spirituality.

Indwelling with the Trinity. The first source of spirituality was introduced in the afternoon of Retreat Day 1, after the dynamics and the introduction of the theme in the morning. The Holy Trinity was then explored by likening it to a family that lives within the hearts of God's people – diverse but one. If we live with them, we can be one with them.

Eucharist. A loving encounter between a person and Jesus is perfected in the presence of the Eucharist. It is always available for all of us – waiting. A source where we can always go when we need to be close to God. A reminder that our life is a school of presence – learning and remembering that He is always present for us, wanting to be close to us.

Mystical Body of Christ. The map in our altars signifies the many different realities of our brothers and sisters all over the world, making us remember that we are a part of the whole body of Christ – all of different parts and functions but still forming one whole body. We are invited to remember that we do our mission not in the world but in Christ – in his body.

Mary. Another source of spirituality in Verbum Dei is none other than Mother Mary – the one who makes the Word of God flesh. A source of spirituality who accompanies us and prays with us in our following of Jesus. We are all invited, just like the disciple Jesus entrusted his mother to, to take Mary again into our homes.

Daily morning prayers, guidelines, rosaries, masses, and exams of prayer were also in place each day during the duration of the retreat. All were also asked to give a thank-you note to each source and were then asked to place their commitment to a specific area they are called to focus on praying for – Verbum Dei Family, Youth, Peace and Justice, or Families.

By the end of the silence after the morning guidelines of May 5, the missionary disciples were asked to share one experience and one Word of God that touched them the most. The joy in each one is evident, though in different shapes and forms, as they express themselves to one another.
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The retreat was a beautiful reminder that we can draw from many different sources of spirituality depending on our current reality and needs. But no matter what we need from the Lord for our own spiritual nourishment, one thing is clear – He desires that His joy may be in us!