province retreat

On 18-27 May 2006, we had our province retreat at Mirador Jesuit Villa in Baguio. One third of the province attended the retreat. Fr. Danny Huang, SJ was our retreat master who gave us fruitful points taken from the lives of St. Ignatius of Loyola, Francis Xavier, and Peter Faber. During the last day of the retreat, I was praying and looking at the sunset in Mirador, I was in deep consolation of His love for me. Here is a short poem that I have written after that prayer period, remembering how God has been my grandmother, who took care of me for many years even until now.

Lola Kong Hesus

Sa daloy ng malamig na hangin
Nakalimutan ang pag-ibig na
ipinakita, binigyan, ipinadama
Ng isang lolang nag-aruga sa
isang batang naulila.

Kahit masugat-sugat ang kamay
sa paglalaba
Kahit masunog-sunog ang kamay
sa pagluluto
Kahit makulubot-lubot ang kamay
sa paghihimlay
Naghihintay, naghihintay
sa isang batang ulila na napaulila
Ang kanyang pagdating.

Naiba ang daloy ng hangin
May nakita akong matandang ale
nakapula sa may bangin
Naghihintay rin na makapiling
Kahit sa alaala matatagpo rin
Lola, hindi kita nalimutan

Bawat sulok ng mundo ako'y
mananaog
Bawat buhay ng tao ako'y
makikinig
Bawat dasal ng ulilang ito
mabibigkas
Hahanapin, hahanapin
Ang pagmamahal na dulo't n'yo
Habang buhay nanaisin

Arthur W. Nebrao, Jr., SJ
26 May 2006
Mirador, Baguio