‘Like Cursillo, the objective of the three-day retreat is not just to hear about a religious experience, but to live it.’
Think of celebrities like Robi Domingo, Gab Pangilinan, Mike Shimamoto, Kakki Teodoro, Toma Cayabyab, Vic Robinson, Quiel Andrew Quiwa and others, gathered for a retreat. Add to that the group of Mhel Garrido and Jed Pantig providing the music, with even Basil Valdez serenading everyone with beloved hits. This is our vision of a “Media Days with the Lord.”
For years, Fr. Tito Caluag and I have discussed reviving the Ateneo Days with the Lord (DWTL). But how can we bring such a special retreat to life in the age of social media?
The “Days with the Lord” (DWTL) began in 1966 at the Ateneo de Manila High School in Quezon City, Philippines. It was designed by a group of young Jesuits, led by Father Francisco Glover, S.J., to meet the spiritual needs of students that were not fully addressed by the annual senior retreat. It blends elements of the Cursillo weekend and the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises.
At the time, much of the elite Catholic community in the Philippines had experienced “de colores,” and many of the Days’ founders were deeply influenced by their own Cursillo experiences. Drawing inspiration from these, the Jesuit team designed a spiritual experience for students, incorporating the Ignatian retreat format with a Cursillo-style atmosphere.
Like Cursillo, the objective of the three-day retreat is not just to hear about a religious experience, but to live it. It aims to help participants recognize Christ’s personal love for them, and to open their hearts to respond freely to that love. Unlike the Ignatian Exercises, however, the Days is not centered on silence and solitude. Instead, it unfolds in an informal, joyful, and communal environment, fostering camaraderie, sharing, and Christian love in action. Instead of a retreat master guiding the meditation, young people joyfully share their personal experiences. The DWTL also includes familiar Cursillo features like palancas, mananitas, a disco and the “fourth day.”
DWTL communities are composed of students and young professionals who aim to bring a youthful encounter with Christ to people from all walks of life. They conduct spiritual workshops and promote love and devotion to Jesus Christ, present in the Eucharist.
DWTL communities can be found in various major schools in Metro Manila, including Ateneo de Manila University, St. Pedro Poveda College, University of the Philippines, De La Salle University Manila, St. Scholastica’s College Manila, Miriam College, Assumption College, Immaculate Conception Academy (San Juan), Xavier School (San Juan) and Don Bosco Technical College.
The group also includes non-school-based communities such as Yuppies DWTL, Christ the King DWTL, True Light DWTL, Divine Mercy DWTL, Walk with Jesus DWTL and Agape DWTL.
Some DWTL communities, however, have been inactive for years due to a lack of leadership, resources, time and Jesuit support. The surviving groups are those whose alumni remain active or have successfully maintained their networks.
To revive DWTL at the Loyola campus, an alumni core group is organizing a Mass at the Kostka Chapel of Ateneo High School on Saturday, March 29.
Dazers are asked to gather between 5 and 5:30 p.m. at the Promenade (the area in front of the Ateneo High School quadrangle) to collect their name tags and connect with fellow Dazers from other batches. A procession will follow from the Promenade to the Chapel.
The Mass will be celebrated by Fr. Jonjee Sumpacio, a former AHS Dazer and rector. It will also be streamed live on the Radyo Katipunan Facebook page.
Expect to hear the classic DWTL songs during the Mass, such as “Day By Day,” “Shalom,” “Take and Receive,” “Prayer for Generosity,” “Holy,” “Si Kristo Ay Gunitain,” “Ama Namin,” “Kordero ng Diyos,” “Theme From the Cardinal,” “Panalangin Ng Pagiging Bukas Palad,” “Tanging Yaman,” “Lead Me Lord,” “Lift Up Your Hands,” “Anima Christi,” “One Bread, One Body,” “Hindi Kita Malilimutan,” “You And I” and “Bumaba Ka sa Bundok.”
Choir volunteers can approach Mhel and Jed at the choir box early on Saturday.
This Mass, organized by Revi De Mesa, Gerry Sison, Jed Pantig, Martin Lichauco, Bernie Santos, Dan Soliven, Rufi Parpan, Marvin Tiburcio, Ding Gaddi, Mhel Garrido, and Philip Anonuevo, is the first step toward a full and dynamic revival of DWTL, especially in time for its 60th anniversary next year.
Over the nearly six decades, DWTL has offered an invitation to prayer, friendship and service to the Lord. As one of its founders, Ed Garcia, humbly put it, “It has helped create conditions more conducive to the formation of loyal and steadfast companions of Jesus, and of Jesus.”
It will be a joy to hear all Dazers proclaim and live out the mantra: “Basta Ikaw Lord!”
