FIRST PAULINIAN PRAYER CONGRESS

BE CLOSE TO JESUS, STAY CLOSE TO JESUS, ONLY JESUS, FOREVER JESUS. This
was the first phrase that struck me during the congress. Its like, it explains it all. It made me feel
better that day. This phrase gave me a new and better outlook in life. Honestly, I dont have any
idea of what this prayer congress is all about. But since I am a member of the guidance buddies
which were assigned to be the animators, then, I really have to go. I wasnt feeling better
emotionally during the past few days because of my struggles in school and family problems.
But I keep on telling myself to stand firm in my faith to the LORD. But I know it is only in my
mind, but in my heart, I already started questioning why God let these things happen in my life
and I started to doubt my own capability as well

The Paulinian Prayer Congress started with a very solemn prayer and entourage by the sisters.
All the speakers in the morning were sisters. And I only knew then that it is the anniversary of
the SPC congregation. That is why almost all of them talked about the history of the
congregation which is honestly, I already find it boring. But then, when these sisters started
talking about life, and giving those inspirational quotes, I suddenly find it exciting. Because, I
was really down that day, and the sharing of the sisters inspired me to be optimistic and have
stronger faith in God. Listening to them almost made me cry but I forced myself not to. There is
this awesome sister; she is the last speaker in the morning. She talks like a normal person and
naturally funny. She inspires me because, she said shes not into preaching or sharing a talk but
then she has to because she was assigned to. And they have the vow of obedience. She talked
about their mission and the calling of being a sister. And then I realised, I am like her. I wasnt
prepared of the trials that God is giving me right now and I dont want all these bad things
happening in my life either, but I have to face it and conquer it because this is what I am tasked
to do in my life. Besides, God wont give me a trial that He knows I cannot solve.

The afternoon event was also inspiring. Some of the events were the sharing of the students who
represented SPUD during the Paulinian Bible Quiz Bee and a sharing of the family which moved
me because I am having an issue with my family during that time. But the most touching,
entertaining and motivating portion were with the sharing of Fr. Ram. His talk was more like a
summary of all the sharing that day, as what I have understood. Anyway, Ill focus more on the
impact of his talk to me. I even posted in my facebook status one of the phrase he said. It was
do not worry about tomorrow, it might never come. Its like saying, live in the moment. And I
am this kind of person that no matter how optimistic I look in the outside but really a worrier
in the inside. I really worry a lot. And I always think of the future especially negative ones. And
when this phrase came out from the mouth of Fr. Ram, suddenly I said to myself, very well
said. It is exactly what I needed to hear that day, aside from those inspirational quotes of course,
but that phrase just made me feel better. And so the Prayer Congress was ended by a mass, a
perfect ender, indeed.
Right from the start of the prayer congress where all I thought of was to attend because I am
required to and having a really heavy feeling inside me because of life problems. I dont even
have any idea of what that congress is all about. Who would have thought that I would end up
my day motivated and having a strong faith in the Lord. That prayer congress really moved me
closer to the Lord and I must say, the bottomline of that prayer congress for me is BE CLOSE
TO JESUS, STAY CLOSE TO JESUS, ONLY JESUS, FOREVER JESUS.
 A REFLECTION TO
THE
FIRST PAULINIAN PRAYER
CONGRESS
VISAYAS AREA
ST. PAUL UNIVERSITY
DUMAGUETE
OCTOBER 8, 2016

SUBMITTED BY: DEZIREE JOY M. VERA CRUZ

SUBMITTED TO: MRS. ARACELI TUMACOLE