In its 40th edition themed ‘Moving in God’s Direction’ in the era of Tiktok and Reels, the speakers invited to talk are ‘celebrity priests’ widely known to reach out to people in digital spaces as part of the so-called online evangelization.
Celebrity priests to talk in annual Cubao Lenten retreat
It’s a gathering of social media-savvy priests
Mar 29, 2023 00:24 AM
At a glance
Featured image: USING INFLUENCE FOR THE GOOD 'Celebrity' priests who are social media savvy will be addressing the laity during special events this Lent
By Neil Aventurado
The annual three-day Lenten recollection in the Big Dome of Cubao is back and the admission is still for free!
Two years after its last-but-online installation due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the much-awaited annual Family Lenten Retreat at Smart Araneta Coliseum will once again be held for the Holy Week.
In its 40th edition themed “Moving in God’s Direction” in the era of Tiktok and Reels, the speakers invited to talk are “celebrity priests” widely known to reach out to people in digital spaces as part of the so-called online evangelization.
Also speaking for the event will be charismatic motivational preachers Bro. Mike Ybiernas and Bro. Obet Cabrillas of The Feast, a weekly gathering of Light of Jesus, a Catholic community founded by Bo Sanchez.
Fr. Franz Dizon, a Malolos-based priest who has just celebrated his fifth sacerdotal anniversary followed by a strong 238,000 on his homily-packed page Sa Madaling Sabi, will discuss growing deeper in faith on Maundy Thursday.
The following day, as we commemorate Jesus’ crucifixion, Greenbelt Chapel chaplain Fr. Dave Concepcion, who has around 210,000 followers on his page Everything is Grace, will discuss how serving God translates to serving people.
“Proclaiming the Truth” will be the final topic for this year’s Lent recollection, which will be discussed on Black Saturday by Fr. Jowel Jamarsus Gatus, a Pampanga-based priest with 128,000 following.
Aside from motivational talks, families who sign up for the event will also witness an inspirational drama performance, directed by Mark Anthony Traballo. Usually starred by members of the parish youth ministry, their involvement in the drama presentations has been their creative way of sharing and spreading God’s word.
Veteran folk singer Noel Cabangon, singer-actress Jenine Desiderio, and “My Heart Will See You Through” singer-composer Marco Sison will grace the event with their angelic voices.
40 years of evangelization and bond
The annual family-themed Lenten retreat has been one of the largest and busiest events organized by Our Lady of Perpetual Help (OLPH) Parish under the Diocese of Cubao.
“For me, the Lenten retreat means a renewal of my spiritual life. It allows me to look deep inside myself and reassess what I have done for the past year,” said Msgr. Cesar Pagulayan, the longest-serving parish priest who initiated the idea of the recollection back in the early ’80s.
Pagulayan recalled, while having dinner with renowned Dominican spiritual advisor Fr. Sonny Ramirez, having suggested to the latter, “why don’t you give us the recollection [here in our parish] this coming Lenten season…how about doing it at Araneta Coliseum. [I told him, you know,] we can organize it.”
As Ramirez gave his thumbs up, Pagulayan immediately proposed the idea to Jorge Araneta, the prominent tycoon behind Araneta Group, which owns the then-largest roofed coliseum in the world.
Pagulayan, again recalled, that Ramirez had been known for giving recollections about family, so he thought it would be nice to make family as the retreat’s first theme. “And nagulat kami, andaming taong dumating (And we were surprised that a lot of people turned up),” Pagulayan added in a 2021 video.
He thought of it as a “very big success,” as the now-deceased monsignor saw the potential of evangelization, not only in the parish-community but also in the loves of “many people coming from all over” to Araneta Coliseum for the retreat.
On the other hand, what Johnny Cardenas, former parish pastoral council head, would always remember is the candle-lighting ceremony. “When you see the light going to the bleacher…when you see people shedding tears,” he elaborated. The candle-lighting symbolizes hope-giving and lighting of the community.
In the recent years prior to the pandemic, aside from talks and drama performances, OLPH Family Lenten Retreats have always been home to praise and worship songs and dances, youth activities, and family bonds. These things are the realizations of the recollection, have always hoped to help build the community, strengthen the bonds between people, and keeping the faith.
This year’s Lenten retreat will run from April 6 to April 8, from 7 a.m. until noon. Admission tickets will be free, as they were before. Just make sure not to bring food and drinks as these are prohibited. No worries as there will be food stalls inside the Big Dome.