I remember a conversation I had with my husband, Domeng, several days after our Marriage Encounter Weekend (MEW) in April  2007. At that time, I was still euphoric from the meaningful ME Weekend that Class 68 & 82 sponsored for our batch, ME Class 85. I was excited to pursue an active membership in Magis Deo. When I told him about my feelings, his reaction disappointed me. He did not share the same enthusiasm.

He reasoned with me that active membership in the community entails a lot of commitment and sacrifice. For him, it meant a whole hearted giving of oneself. He knew how busy I was with work and more work that it would be completely impossible for both of us to partake in the joys and struggles of service to the community. I took it as a challenge. As much as possible, I made it a point to be available for all our batch activities. 

After ten reunions and prayer meetings, a fund raising last Christmas, and planning-brainstorming sessions and tiring song practices with our Magis Deo elders, our group was ready to sponsor a Marriage Encounter Weekend for Class 88.

On Friday, March 9, 2007, we found ourselves at the BLD Covenant House in Dasmariñas, Cavite nervously excited to do God’s work. Ed and Sol Macalalad, our Shepherd Couple steered and guided us along the journey of our MEW Sponsorship. We knew the tasks to be done, but we could only rely on prayer power for a smooth and organized MEW. Since there are five couples in our batch, each was given a committee. Jojo & Lucy Almodovar headed the Conference Committee; Pete & Dory Gestoso took charge of Facilities while Teng & Gaya Antonio handled the Food Committee. Percy and Chit Garcia, along with Domeng and I, comprised the Secretariat Committee. Two more committees, Liturgy and Music, were given to us. Too much on our plate? Not when shared with our batch mates. Helping and reaching out was automatic and spontaneous. Besides, our Magis Deo elders prepared us well.

 Jane and Jojo Aldeguer gave a thorough walk through of the MEW flowchart two weeks before the actual event. In our meeting with them, Jane was very careful to point out little problems that we might encounter along the way. The presence of Tita Josie and Tito Ike Lamas, ME Ministry Head; Ramie and Mimi Santos, and Cesar and Marivic Pareja, Team Couples for that MEW; Tito Mon and Tita Glo Umali, and Tito Eli and Tita Edith Prieto of the Music Group, during the three day ME retreat was a big morale booster for all of us. Their reminders were all necessary to keep us alert and awake. Their support was indeed tremendous. I can not imagine how we could have survived that weekend without them. They filled in the gaps and connected broken ends. The long and short of it, it was a successful MEW for Class 88.

There were fifteen couples present that weekend. The 16th candidate was a Jesuit deacon, Bro. Pham Hoa Lac, S.J. who will soon be ordained in July 2007. Bro. Pham is from Vietnam. He was impressed at the ME program that Magis Deo conducts for Filipino married couples that he dreams to have a similar formation program in his native country. The Spiritual Director that weekend was Fr. Ted Gonzales, S.J. According to Jojo and Lucy who sat all through out the sessions, Fr. Ted just got better. He had new exercises and activities to liven up the relatively younger batch of ME Class 88.

As I now look back at the recently concluded MEW that our batch sponsored, I can say that it was not only a successful MEW. It was a MEW touched and blessed by God as well.

For the candidates, the MEW was a weekend of love, forgiveness acceptance and healing. One couple found the answers to the questions that long beleaguered their marriage; a husband exerted great effort to actively participate because he knew how important the MEW was for his wife; a young husband realized his mistakes and was made aware of his responsibilities as spouse and father; another couple was inspired to continue in the ministry as coordinators.

For us, auxiliaries, it was a MEW that was both meaningful and life affirming. Jojo and Lucy were filled with gratitude to have participated in the MEW. The acceptance and openness of the community made them feel that they truly belong in Magis Deo. Pete and Dory experienced once more the miracles of marriage. Teng and Gaya were both tired, but there was an overflowing of happiness in their hearts for having served God in a most humble yet significant way. Percy and Chit marveled at the group’s cooperation, team work and systematic approach to accomplishing tasks. Ed and Sol were both lost for words as they witnessed how each couple sincerely gave their time, talent and treasure to the MEW.

Indeed, God made his presence felt in the hearts and lives of the candidates and the auxiliaries too. He is alive. And He loves us unconditionally.

Domeng and I went home that Sunday night exhausted to the bone. But, deep in our hearts, we both felt the contentment of giving back to others what others gave us. For the first time, I saw my husband in a different light. There is so much to discover about him and in him that to love him is my simple way of serving God.

(Zara Gagatiga of ME Class 85, the sponsor of ME Class 88 and the wife of Domeng Gagatiga mentioned in this article)