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Annual University Retreat
The university-wide retreat is a major activity during the first semester intended to facilitate a deepening on Ignatian spirituality among XU administrators, faculty, formators and staff. It is offered in a live-in or live-out mode and is conducted by a pool of facilitators that include Jesuit priests, sisters, XU campus ministers, Jesuit lay collaborators and friends who are trained in Ignatian retreat-giving. In general, the process is designed to help integrate the personal and professional dimensions of one’s experiences as collaborators in a Jesuit educational institution towards a deepening appreciation of the meaning and implications of being an Ignatian
Live-In Directed Retreat
With a required particular number of years of service in the university and attendance in specific Ignatian formation activities, a university faculty, formator and a staff could avail of a live-in retreat either for three days, five days or eight days as part of an ongoing spiritual formation. Except for the three-day schedule which is simultaneous with the university annual retreat, the five- and eight-day retreats are offered during the semestral break and in summer. Priority considerations are given to those who signify their interest ahead of time through the faculty profile sheet or the individual reply to the e-mail blast information. Specific slots are allotted for particular schedules and interested participants are accommodated for screening and preparation on a first-come-first-served sign-up basis.
Triduum Retreat
Originally intended to provide a follow-through spiritual activity for XU alumni, the Triduum retreat has evolved into becoming a significant annual spiritual formation activity of the University for the local Church of Cagayan de Oro. It has created a loyal following of no less than five hundred people on the average which includes not just XU alumni but also their families, friends, covenant communities and those who are sincerely seeking for a deeper prayerful experience in their Holy Week experience and Easter celebration. Prayer orientations and reflection points proper of the day are usually given in the morning of Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday. Afternoons are intended for the Sacrament of Reconciliation, Station of the Cross and/or preparation of the liturgical services. Retreatants are free to continue with the reflection on their own and participate in the Liturgical services either in the University Church or in their respective parishes. A minimum registration fee is required and interested participants could register ahead of time in the Campus Ministries Office.
Advent Recollection
One of the most important seasons in the Catholic Calendar is Advent. Advent is from the Latin word adventus meaning “coming”. It is time of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus at Christmas. Also a time to reflect on the Second Advent, including themes of accountability for faithfulness at His coming, judgment on sin, and the hope of eternal life (from Christian Institute Resource). That’s why it is fitting to have a good preparation through prayer and reflection (recollection). The recollection includes an input, prayer and mass. The schedule usually starts at 5:00pm and ends at 7:00pm.
Lenten Recollection
Accordingly, Lent is the most important season in the Catholic Calendar. It is very important because of the Paschal Mystery of Jesus Christ (Passion, Death and Resurrection) wherein the person may receive overflowing graces from the Lord. Lent is from latin Quadragesima meaning Fortieth (40 days). It is a solemn religious observance in the liturgical calendar of many Christian denominations that begins on Ash Wednesday and covers a period of approximately six weeks before Easter Day. Lent is the preparation of the believer through prayer, penance, repentance of abstinence, fasting, sins, almsgiving, moderation, and self-denial. It’s not uncommon for people to give up smoking during Lent, or to swear off watching television or eating candy or telling lies. It’s six weeks of self-discipline. The key is to focus on repenting of sin and consecrating oneself to God. (www.Catholicism.About.com). Because this is very essential, it is good to have preparation to gain the graces promised by observing it religiously. And beautiful preparation is to spend time in prayer and solitude. The recollection includes an input, prayer and mass. The schedule usually starts at 5:00pm and ends at 7:00pm.
The Retreat In Daily Life (RDL) Program
The Retreat in Daily Life Program provides spiritual guidance to men and women seeking God in their daily routine through guided prayer based on the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. Retreatants find time for daily prayer for a period ranging from 14 to 35 weeks. They meet with their retreat directors regularly, and are guided through the different phases of the Exercises.
note: text as adapted from: http://www.cisphil.org/services/retreats/retreat-in-daily-life)
Definition and purpose of the exercises according to St. Ignatius
“Just as strolling, walking and running are exercises for the body, these Spiritual Exercises are ways of examining our awareness or consciousness, meditating, contemplating, praying vocally and mentally, and other spiritual activities. Their aim is to ready us for freedom, to be freed from all self-centered desires and to be able to discover in our own lives God’s own desiring and willing.”
Also included in the program are the following:
- Program launching and Prayer Workshop: done on the 1st or 2nd week of September.
- Advent and Lenten Recollection
How long is the program?
- RDL for Beginners (13-14 weeks) or 18th Annotation Retreat
- Spiritual Exercises in Daily Life (30 - 34 weeks) or 19th Annotation Retreat
The program usually begins on the 1st or 2nd week of September. The RDL for beginners ends at the 2nd week of December while the Spiritual Exercises in Daily Life ends in April at the following year.
Who may apply to the Retreat in Daily Life?
Applicants are those who are…
- able to make a firm commitment to the retreat
- able to allocate time for formal prayer of 30 minutes to 1 hour each day
- willing to pray the suggested prayer materials of the retreat
- willing to reflect on and journal their prayer experiences and to share the fruits of their prayer with the retreat guide
- willing to be guided by a competent lay/religious priest or nun retreat guide
The Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius in Daily Life
Undergoing the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola can be a most profound and transforming spiritual experience. It is a time for intimate contact between God and the person making the Exercises.
For persons who cannot take time off to devote thirty days to do the retreat, St. Ignatius offered the Spiritual Exercises in daily life. The retreatants do not leave their homes and places of work. They keep their regular schedules but commit themselves to a daily prayer period of 30 minutes to one hour and meet weekly with their retreat guide.
The Retreat in Daily Life for Beginners (18th annotation) is an adaptation of the Spiritual Exercises and is most suitable for those who are starting in their spiritual journey, or those who want to attend to their spiritual thirst or hunger. The Retreat Daily Life for Beginners runs for 14 weeks.
The Spiritual Exercises in Daily Life (19th annotation) is for those who experience a compelling desire to know, love and to pattern their life after Christ. The Spiritual Exercises in Daily Life runs for 35 weeks.
List of Spiritual Guides for (as of school year 2014-2015)
- Fr George Esguerra SJ
- Fr Richard Ella SJ
- Fr Matt Sanchez SJ
- Suzette Valmores
- Sr Ranette Angot ODN
- Sr Lucero Marquez ODN
- John Dwight Pimentel
- Mona Lisa Pangan
- Michael Acenas
- Gaspar Caluna
- Rogelio Lee Jr
What kind of journey can I expect from the Spiritual Exercises?
- Discovering who you really are
- Directing yourself toward God
- Noticing God’s action in your life
- Responding to the movements of your heart
- Discovering the nature of
- your deepest desire
- Seeking God’s will
- Becoming free of all that distracts you from your deeper desire
- Making choices in line with your truest self
- Connecting your lived experience with the life, death and resurrection of Christ
- Responding to God’s love for you
- Finding God in all things
Source: Silf, Margaret. Inner Compass, p. 15
Faculty, Staff & Alumni Spiritual Formation
Partnership for Evangelization
Chaplaincy
Strengthening & Development
Inter-Religious & Cultural Dialogue
Student Spiritual Formation
OSA offers the following services to help students in their financial needs while studying in the University:
- Student Assistantship Program
To provide financial assistance to qualified and deserving college students through campus employment, OSA conducts recruitment, screening, and deployment of student assistants to the different offices/units in the main and satellite campuses. Student assistants are not considered casual employees of the University. They receive monetary allowance based on the number of hours that they render. Such monetary allowance is applied on their tuition and matriculation fees. (A complete policy on XU Student Assistantship Program is available at OSA.)
- Student Assistance Fund (SAF) Loan
Short-term loans for tuition assistance during major exams (except final exam) and allowance for board and lodging are administered by OSA in close coordination with the Finance Office. Loan applications must be endorsed by the student’s parents or guardians and approved by the Director of Student Affairs.
- XU Band Scholarship
OSA supervises the recruitment, screening and training of band members who qualify for XU Band Scholarship in coordination with the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid (OSFA). The XU Band Instructor takes care of the auditions and applications for band scholarships while the Director of Student Affairs handles the approval and monitoring of academic requirements.
Campus Ministries Office
ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
FABELA, Danikka Rose M |  |
DAGUS, Kevin Delos R |  |
GARDUQUE, Janille Mariz A |  |
OCLARIT, Annie Fe B |  |
PANGAN, Mona Lisa D |  |
PIMENTEL, John Dwight B |  |
BOLECHE, Maria Cristina O, Sr, RA |  |
TALAMPAS, Mary Francis C, Sr, RA |  |
CANGOT, Ranette, Sr, ODN |  |
STA CRUZ, June Lyn B |  |
VILLANUEVA, Angelo Zayne C |  |
Under OSA is the Student Activities and Leadership Development (OSA-SACDEV). It is dedicated to providing students with quality programs, services and leadership opportunities that enrich the students’ classroom experience and non-academic endeavors. More so, it oversees the recognition and management of over 70 student organizations composed of the Central Student Government (CSG), College Councils, Co and Extra-Curricular Organizations, Media/Publications Organizations (Crusader Publication and Crusader Yearbook) and Professional Organizations among others. It also works for the individual development of students through training programs that in accord with developing their leadership and management skills.
Central Student Government (CSG)
is the highest governing body of all XU students in the tertiary level. It addresses, promotes, protects and preserves the needs, dignity, ideals, and aspirations of the students pursuant to the mission of the University in forming men and women for others. In fulfilling this function, CSG works with the Assembly of Extra-Curricular Organizations (AECO) and the eight undergraduate college councils.
CSG provides student leaders a first-hand experience on governance. The Directorate, which is the legislative branch of CSG and composed of the elected presidents of the college councils and convener of AECO, formulates student-related policies and implements programs and projects that address campus issues, facilitate faculty-student interaction and promote student awareness.
College Councils
are composed of students who are enrolled in a particular school or college. College councils promote the rights, welfare and responsibilities of their members and implement programs and projects that primarily benefit them and the larger community. These include collaborative projects with other organizations, college month or week-long celebrations, intramurals and outreach projects.
The college councils are affiliated with their respective college dean’s offices where they also serve as arm and coordinating body for the implementation of programs and policies promulgated by the school/college. They are also complemented with a number of co-curricular organizations harmonizing the students’ academic formation.
Co-Curricular Organizations (Co-Currs)
are organizations composed of students enrolled in a specific field or discipline. They focus on a particular academic area and initiate programs and projects that are designed for (but may not be limited to) the promotion of their field of study and academic enhancement of their members (e.g. special lectures, seminars, or fora). In addition, co-currs liaise between students and the academic departments in matters concerning their studies (e.g. curriculum, policies specific to their course, etc).
Extra-Curricular Organizations (Extra-Currs)
are organizations primarily designed to cater to students’ special interests. They are open to all students regardless of what college or academic program they belong. They specialize in a specific field of interest such as leadership, social awareness, fellowship, community service, sports, arts and culture, and many others. While majority of these organizations are under OSA, companies such as the Glee Club, Cultural Dance Troupe, Dulaang Atenista, The Xavier Stage, and Xavier Philharmonia are housed under the Xavier Center for Culture and the Arts (XCCA).
Assembly of Extra-Curricular Organizations (AECO)
which is considered a council, governs a wide variety of extra-curricular organizations for students to choose from, may it be for the arts such as theater, music, or visual arts; environment; socio-cultural, service-learning; or something more physical such as athletics clubs and teams, physical contact sports, or mountaineering. A convener of AECO is chosen by the presidents of the different extra-curricular organizations and sits in CSG’s Directorate.
Media/ Publications
are organizations whose projects are realized through audio, video, print, or on-line publication. These groups primarily advance student needs and express student views. They accept students enrolled in any course.
Religious Organizations
organize programs and projects which serve as support for students in a particular religious denomination. They implement programs and projects that are in accord with the promotion of faith and justice. They accept members regardless of course. Religious organizations are directly under the Campus Ministries Office.
Program-Based Groups
are directly affiliated with a particular unit in the University. These are specialized groups mandated to promote a special advocacy. Their membership requirements include a commitment to work for and an interest in a particular cause. Such cause may be social in nature.
Professional Organizations
are composed of students enrolled in the graduate courses. They seek to further a particular profession or field of expertise, the interest of the individuals engaged in that profession and the community’s interest. They offer activities such as lectures, fora, academic tours and outreach projects among others.
With the mission of forming leaders with competence, conscience and commitment, OSA collaborates with students in exploring avenues for personal growth, social responsibility and skills development. It has a Student Leadership Development Program (SLDP) that applies the University’s 3C’s model (competence, conscience and commitment). Under this umbrella program are the following:
Change Leadership (CL)
is meant for current organization presidents and other interested students who are holding key positions in organizations. It is concerned with the driving forces, visions and processes that fuel large-scale transformation. It introduces the concept of transformational leadership as a potent tool for effecting faster, smarter and more efficient changes in student organizations and for creating positive and valuable change in the larger community. It aims to form masses of leaders who aspire to make something happen in the community they serve. It empowers more and more students who carry the ultimate goal of creating a better world and just society for the self and for others.
Ateneo School for Upcoming Leaders (ASUL)
is a student leadership formation program that seeks to gather, nurture and empower a community of “potential” leaders who show influence among their peers. This program shares an integral part in forming the students’ conscience by inspiring them to take active leadership role in the University.
ASUL explores leadership issues through transformative learning that exposes first year and second year students to a broad spectrum of people and organizations within and outside the University. Participants build their knowledge and network by meeting students from the different schools and colleges and listening to the experiences and insights shared by formators and faculty members in the University. They are also exposed to different organizations and foundations outside the University. Participants learn through indoor and outdoor discussions and activities, exposures, immersions, participant observations, individual and small group reflection sessions and peer presentations and outreach programs.
Atenista Ako Movement
is dedicated to promoting Ignatian values and inciting university spirit. Its focus is on the resolution of evident but undermined campus problems by encouraging positive attitude among students. The program encourages students to not just live by the essence of being Ateneans but commit to the values lived by St Ignatius in their day-to-day lives.
There are three things that serve as basis for operation of the movement: 1.) Sense of Identity, 2.) Sense of Ownership, and 3.) Promotion of University Spirit. These things, when successfully acted upon are aimed at attaining change in campus culture.
STREAMS-Pathways to Higher Education
is an opportunity given to students who wish to fulfil a sense of social responsibility. In STREAMS, the volunteers are exposed to social issues, particularly on education and are given the chance to provide opportunities for graduating public high school students obtain and complete higher education.
STREAMS explores educational concerns through transformative learning that exposes high school participants to a broad spectrum of opportunities that nurture their full potential to attain quality higher education. Participants gain more knowledge through the facilities and resources that the University provides; acquire new skills through personality development and leadership formation sessions; and increase their network by meeting students from different schools and student leaders and key administrators of Xavier University. On the other hand, student volunteers running the program gain more opportunities for community development work and skills training through the formation program provided for them and the actual delivery of their respective roles and responsibilities.
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