NAGA CITY, Nov. 3, 2009─ The priests of the Bicol region is set to celebrate the Year for priests with a regional clergy retreat that will focus on the life of St. John Mary Vianney on November 9-13 at Bethlehem in Bacacay town, Albay.
The retreat is centered on the theme "Revisiting the Priesthood in the Light of St. John Mary Vianney's Life and Example."
According to incoming Legazpi Bishop Joel Baylon, the retreat is expected "to encourage our priests in striving for the same spiritual perfection on which, above all, the effectiveness of their ministry depends."
Letters of invitation on the retreat have been sent to all bishops in the region encouraging their clergy to take part in the event.
Aside from the Catholic Church's celebration of the Year for Priests, the invitation has been inspired by two other important events in the local Church in Bicol: the golden anniversary of the Union of Bicol Clergy (UBC), and the preparation of the 300th year of the devotion to Our Lady of Peñafrancia on September 2010.
The Union of Bicol Clergy was organized in the late 50's. Fr. Teotimo C. Pacis, a Vincentian who became bishop of Palo, Leyte and Legazpi, initiated the organization of the UBC. He was then Rector of the Seminario del Santisimo Rosario.
Ever since it was established, the Holy Rosary Minor Seminary played host to the UBC every September. During gathering the clergy engage themselves in various sports competitions.
Meanwhile, about 160 priests in the Archdiocese of Caceres had finished their annual week-long retreat from October 19-23 at the Holy Rosary Major Seminary. Caceres Archbishop Leonardo Z. Legaspi, O.P. joined the clergy.
The retreat was themed "Revisiting the Priesthood in the Light of St. John Mary Vianney's Life and Example." (Fr. Louie Occiano)