A notable ‘first’ and an abundance of grace.
The Center for Ignatian Spirituality Philippines (CIS), in partnership with Jesuit Music Ministry (JMM) hosts “Thy Love and Thy Grace”, an online prayer concert featuring Himig Heswita, this March 12th, Saturday at 8 pm.
Live-streaming via the Facebook pages of JesCom, Radyo Katipunan 87.9 FM, and to be cross-posted by several social media partners, CIS’ dedicated effort in staging its first concert aims to raise funds for the benefit of its Training Programs on Spiritual Direction for the local Clergy.
“JesCom-JMM’s professional experience and expertise are significant in helping make this project possible,” remarks CIS Executive Director, Fr. Xavier Olin SJ of the timely collaboration between the two Jesuit-led organizations.
“Considering that this is the Center’s way of celebrating the Ignatian Year, we felt that it is important that we are able to have an offering that will allow the viewers to enter into a time of prayerful reflection, and consider participating in the formation that we hope to give to our Clergy.”
In spite of the ongoing challenges brought upon by the COVID 19 pandemic, CIS’ ministry as a resource, formation, network, and renewal center continued to thrive, discovering new ways to be of greater service while forging valuable partnerships along the way.
“We started offering online our yearly Retreat in Daily Life (RDL) and Study Circle (our flagship Module in the Guides’ Formation Series) in 2021. The limitations in going online have clearly been compensated by the increase in the reach of the programs,” recounts Fr. Olin of CIS’ creative response that has allowed them to draw participants beyond Metro Manila and even overseas.
“Interestingly, it was during this pandemic that new partnerships like the one with Ateneo Senior High School, have been forged,” he adds, relaying how the online shift provided CIS a solid template moving forward.
“And just when we thought that we might have to wait until the pandemic is over, before we could resume our outreach programs, we were able to offer a 4-month spiritual accompaniment program to Unang Hakbang Foundation (UHF).”
Indeed, CIS’ recent successes offer important lessons on faith and perseverance, both key values to take to heart as the celebration of the milestone Ignatian Year carries on.
“St Ignatius of Loyola- fallen, wounded, broken in body and spirit — an important image in this Ignatian Jubilee Year — reminds us how ‘Life Interrupted’ can be a great opening to the working of Grace in our lives,”reminds Fr. Olin in the build-up to “Thy Love and Thy Grace”– words taken from the Jesuit founder’s famed Suscipe prayer.
“We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all of you who have helped make this concert possible. Thank you for your presence, prayers, and generous help. Ignatius and his spirituality have much to offer to us in these pandemic times!”
“Thy Love and Thy Grace”, an Ignatian Year online prayer concert organized by Center of Ignatian Spirituality Philippines (CIS), in partnership with Jesuit Music Ministry (JMM), airs on March 12th, Saturday, 8 pm.
Make a donation by visiting the link: https://jescom.ph/product/donate-to-thy-love-and-thy-grace/
