Don Bosco Philippines South Province

by: Prenovice Andrew Espanzo

Nine prenovices of the Salesian Province of the Philippines South (FIS), five religious sisters from different congregations, and one lay member of the Association of Mary Help of Christians (ADMA) participated in the Prayer Ways Seminar-Workshop 2026, held from October 19 to 24 at the Schoenstatt Spirituality Center in Lawaan III, Talisay City, Cebu. Facilitated by Fr. Joseph Kunle Ogundana, SDB, Prenovice Director, the seminar carried the theme “The Art of Seeking God in Prayer,” inspired by Matthew 6:6: “Your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”

The sessions explored the universal call to prayer, prayer in the fullness of time, and prayer in the time of the Church. They also presented Jesus Christ as the model of prayer and examined the spirituality of saints whose lives and teachings offer different approaches to seeking God.

Participants explored the spirituality of St. Teresa of Avila through a workshop on her Interior Castle. They also engaged in nature meditation inspired by St. Francis of Assisi, exercises drawn from the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola, and reflections on the spirituality of St. Francis de Sales. A desert experience provided additional time for silence, meditation, and personal reflection. These activities complemented the sessions by inviting participants to deepen their personal engagement with prayer.

The five sisters represented three congregations: the Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, the Augustinian Sisters of Divine Love, and the Franciscan Sisters of Divine Mercy. Their participation brought together members of different religious congregations and a lay association in a shared pursuit of a deeper encounter with God through prayer.