Ignatian Youth Camp 2024: A crucible of transformation

I embarked on my journey with Ignatian Youth Camp
burdened by a fractured sense of self,
ensnared amidst personal turmoil,
besieged by academic demands and emotional upheavals.

Yet amidst this chaos,
I clung to a singular aspiration,
beseeching divine intervention
to guide me towards one goal: rediscovering my true essence.

As I entreated the heavens for assistance,
the timing of the opportunity felt providential,
as if orchestrated by a higher power.
I sensed a divine nudge, urging me to play my part in this unfolding narrative.

With trepidation concealed
beneath a facade of positivity,
I took the leap and applied for the Ignatian Youth Camp.
Thus far, it stands as the most pivotal decision of my semester.

The camp did not merely facilitate a reunion with myself;
it also served as a conduit leading me back to God,
whom I had distanced myself from amidst the clamor of life's charades,
erroneously perceiving divine retribution in my trials.

Within the sanctuary of the camp, epiphanies blossomed.
God's omnipresence revealed itself
amidst the ascent of Mt. Tipolog, in the caress of the mountain breeze,
the camaraderie of fellow hikers, and the picturesque vistas.

His presence resonated within the confines of Magis Villa,
embodied in the embrace
of newfound companionship
and the harmonious melodies of hymns.

In the crucible of the daily grind,
I felt His sustenance fortifying me,
sustaining me through the rigors of sleepless nights
and physically demanding activities.

It became unequivocally clear; His guiding hand had steered me through the trials of the camp.

The encounter with my authentic self unfolded with divine precision.
Rediscovering dormant passions—dance, hiking, socializing, and singing—

felt like a divine revelation,
resurrected from the ashes of neglect wrought by academic exigencies.

Even more astonishing was the rekindled intimacy with God.
The daily examen emerged as a cherished ritual,
a sacred dialogue wherein gratitude flowed freely,
and vulnerabilities found solace in His presence.

It was within these moments of communion
that I found solace,
recounting the day's blessings and tribulations
with unabashed sincerity.

Ignatian Youth Camp, a crucible of transformation,
remains etched in my memory.
Post-camp, a metamorphosis ensued;
an emergence into newfound vitality.

Engaging more actively within my faith community,
extending kindness to myself and all of God's creation,
and cultivating a deeper sense of gratitude—
the fruits of this profound experience continue to shape my journey.

by: Evea Marie Villamin Alviso, 3-BS Health Sciences

Photo from the delegates