OCM keeps spirituality aflame through online recollections and retreats

The Loyola Schools Office of Campus Ministry continues to nurture the spiritual growth of the community, proving that God is everywhere, even online.

Due to the onset of strict physical distancing protocols, educational institutions have had to migrate their teaching and other services online. While many aspects of university life such as classes can easily be reimagined as all-digital, the same cannot be said for ministry that deeply involves one’s religion and spirituality.

In an effort to bring ministry closer to the Loyola Schools (LS) students, the Office of Campus Ministry (OCM) has brought their recollections and the Coming Home Retreat to the digital platform.

“This online landscape is both foreign and familiar,” said Campus Minister Marckie San Juan. “It’s foreign because I don’t think I’ve used it in this ‘official’ way, but it’s also familiar in that I use Facebook and [similar apps].”

Although online retreats have previously been done by the likes of Pins of Light (which were led by Fr Johnny Go, SJ), adapting the entire faith and formation program over to the online setting remains a challenge. Some of the problems they face include Internet connectivity, technical issues, and the fact that facilitators have no control over the disposition of participants, as opposed to when retreats and recollections were conducted on-site. Given the different situations that students may have, some may not be getting the best experience due to unconducive environments.

The move toward the online platform will provide continuity for upperclassmen who have had their recollections before the pandemic, and also give way to introduce freshmen to Ignatian spirituality.

Furthermore, there also is the challenge of online fatigue or the tiredness that comes with the overuse of online communication platforms such as Zoom. To combat this, the OCM has converted the prayer workshop portion of the Coming Home Retreat into asynchronous modules that students can do at their own pace.

The Coming Home Retreat is well-loved by the LS community, especially because of Dr Bobby Guevara’s famous lecture based on the Parable of the Prodigal Son. But since retreats are meant to happen over the span of several days, campus ministers also encountered a challenge in trimming Dr. Guevara’s pre-recorded lecture while making sure that it does not lose its substance.

Despite much uncertainty and apprehension, the OCM was intent on making sure that students would be able to experience retreats and recollections grounded on Ignatian spirituality. Campus Minister Mike Ramirez mentioned that the Integrated Ateneo Formation Program is something that is present in the virtual recollections from start to finish. He said that the move toward the online platform will provide continuity for upperclassmen who have had their recollections before the pandemic, and also give way to introduce freshmen to Ignatian spirituality.

“We will meet where students are. Hindi naman kami pwedeng mag-retreats and recollections [We can’t hold retreats and recollections] face-to-face because people are not there,” said Campus Minister for Seniors Tina Igma-Sollorano. She added that this move was necessary because formation had to continue online, as Atenean education would be incomplete without it.

These retreats and recollections serve as a requirement for undergraduate students of the Loyola Schools, being integrated with Theology classes and programs under the Office for Social Concern and Involvement. Beyond these requirements, separate sessions are also regularly made available for other members of the community to continue nurturing their spiritual growth from home.

For more information, visit OCM’s official Facebook page.