Browsing through and gleaning from the annals of our history, we realized that as the Sisters of our Manila Priory grew in number, the convent in Baguio became not just a home for our elderly Sisters and a favoured vacation place during the summer months but also the venue for retreats and conferences. Because of this, Sister Assumpta Filser,OSB, the Prioress in the 1960's initiated the construction of a building with enough rooms to accommodate the Sisters for various purposes. Unfortunately, the strong earthquake of 1990 destroyed this building. The present structure of St. Scholastica's Convent that was built after the earthquake provided our aging and sick Sisters that time with better facilities befitting their health condition.
With the advent of social media, young and old alike desire to connect with as many "friends" as possible. Too often than not, these connections are empty and hollow; competing for attention, joining the "rat race" to material success; not realizing the authentic connection that is God in and through the community. With all this, the world has become a place of noise and clutter. People find it difficult to be contented, to be still, to be quiet and listen to the voice of God. With modern technology, people thought and would like to believe that life would be made easier and faster and less burdensome. But technology has never been and will never be the answer to people's woes; the needs of the century had become so complicated ... the intermingling of different cultures, the signs of the times, people with their various needs and concerns continue to search and thirst for meaning and purpose of life ... for answers to deeper questions ...
Since its foundation in 1917 here in Baguio City (102 years and counting), St. Scholastica's Convent and Retreat House has been strengthened by the same Benedictine spirituality that has invigorated our German, Filipina and all Missionary Benedictine Sisters who came before us. The energy that springs from their heart and soul, has remained with us all throughout these years. This momentum, springing from the Spirit of our Lord Jesus Christ, has been the driving force that has brought St. Scholastica's Retreat House — Baguio City in its ultimate place today - that of a center of spirituality, transitioning into a full blown Retreat House offering Benedictine hospitality to those who seek God, and the truths about life, about love and the mysteries of God and His creation.
St. Scholastica's Retreat House is a place of recollection and prayer for those who are SEEKING GOD in quiet and solitude. We ask your cooperation in maintaining the atmosphere of SILENCE so essential for those who seek to experience God's loving presence in and around them.
In order that the goals and objectives of your Recollection and Retreat would be fulfilled, we ask that you:
• Respect each other's need for silence, recollection and prayer.
• Be sensitive as well to the presence of other groups in the house with you.
• Observe silence when you are in or near the Chapel area, prayer room, dormitories and private rooms.
• Speak only in a modulated tone when conversing in the common areas.
• Stay in the garden and driveway for longer conversations with a companion or when you want to use your mobile phones.
• Gently close the doors of your sleeping quarters, comfort & bath rooms and conference rooms to avoid banging.
• Use cell phones only in the garden and driveway and turn off/switch them to silent mode during talks, conferences, and sessions.
The main doors are closed at 10:00 PM. Please inform the Office when sessions are to be scheduled beyond 10:00 PM. The main gate is closed at all times but a guard is always nearby. Please inform the office in case of late arrivals. After 10:00 PM, the driveway is to be cleared of retreatants.
Smoking is not allowed inside the buildings compound. Please park your vehicles in the proper parking area. Drivers are encouraged to be provided with proper board and lodging. "Seek first the kingdom of God and His justice, and all these things will be given you as well. Those who fear Him lack nothing."
Meals are served buffet-style. Please get only the food that you can consume at a particular time to avoid waste.
We ask that you inform the Office in the following cases:
When for important reasons, adjustments are to be made for meal schedule, in consideration for the kitchen and refectory staff;
When you have visitors who will share a meal with you;
When you have requests, comments and suggestions regarding the kitchen service, please do not go directly to the kitchen.
Check – in time is one hour before the scheduled meal (e.g. 11:00 AM, if lunch is the first meal)
Earlier arrival should be arranged with the office. Use of conference room/other facilities, sleeping quarters, earlier than check-in time will be charged P1,000/hour.
If the last meal is breakfast, departure time must be between 8:00-9:00 AM. Otherwise, extra hour for use of facilities, sleeping quarters, conference room will be charged P1,000 per hour.
If the last meal is PM snacks, departure must be between 4:00-5:00 PM. Extra hour for use of facilities, sleeping quarters, conference room will be charged P1,000 per hour.
All are requested to follow the time for meals. The dining room closes at 9 PM. Retreatants are expected to check-in before 7:00 PM if their first meal is supper.
Please observe our 10:00 PM curfew. Otherwise, our security guards will be reminding you from time to time. Please turn off all lights in the conference rooms when not in use.
Please maintain order and cleanliness in the shared baths and comfort rooms. WATER IS LIFE. To avoid wasting water, tightly turn off all water fixtures after use. We would greatly appreciate your reporting to the Office electrical and plumbing problems you encounter in the sleeping quarters and session halls to facilitate repairs.
Permission is needed for transferring furniture and other items. After use, they should be returned to their original places.
"Necessary items are to be requested and given at the proper time so that no one may be disquieted or distressed in the house of God."
Office hours are from 8:00 AM to 12:00 NN and 2:00 TO 5:00 PM. All inquiries as well as requests are to be coursed thru the group coordinator who will present them to the Office during office hours.
Please provide the Office a copy of your daily schedule upon registration for proper coordination in the use of the facilities.
"In drawing up regulations, we hope to set down nothing harsh, nothing burdensome. The good of all concerned, however, may prompt us to a little strictness in order to amend faults and safeguard love." (Rule of St. Benedict)
Before leaving the retreat house, we ask that you:
• Make order in your room and do not leave personal belongings behind; the Center is not responsible for any loss/es
• Leave your room key in its door knobs; otherwise you will have to pay extra for lost keys, etc.
• Leave all beddings, linens or folded blankets on the bed;
• Put trash cans outside the room, leave doors open, turn off lights and water fixtures;
•
Room Accommodation: Rates include 3 meals and 2 snacks (served buffet style) use of Conference Rooms, Sound system, Chapel and Mass
| ROOMS | 2-DAY STAY | OVERNIGHT STAY |
|---|---|---|
| Single occupancy with own BR/CR | ₱ 1,800.00 / day | ₱ 1,850.00 |
| Double/Triple Occupancy with own BR/CR | ₱ 1,600.00 / day | ₱ 1,650.00 |
| Single occupancy with common BR/CR | ₱ 1,500.00 / day | ₱ 1,550.00 |
| Double occupancy with common BR/CR | ₱ 1,400.00 / day | ₱ 1,450.00 |
| Dormitories with common BR/CR | ₱ 1,300.00 / day | ₱ 1,350.00 |
| OTHER CHARGES: | |
|---|---|
| Day Recollection Includes 2 snacks, lunch and use of Conference Room and Chapel | ₱ P700/head |
| Use of Conference Rooms only (per day) | |
|---|---|
| Sr. Assumpta Hall (150 pax capacity) | ₱5,000.00 per day |
| San Rafael (100 pax capacity) | ₱4,000.00 per day |
| Multi-purpose Hall ( 70 pax capaccity} | ₱2,000.00 per day |
| RATES FOR TRANSIENTS: | |
|---|---|
| Dormitories with common CR/BR (10 pax in one dorm) | ₱450.00 per head per day |
| Private Room with own CR/BR - (Single occupancy) | ₱600.00 per day |
| Private Room with own CR/BR - (Double/Triple Occupancy) | ₱500.00 per head per day |
| Use of Amrhein 2 bedrooms with 7-10 pax with cooking facilities | ₱4,000.00 per day |
| Food upon request: Breakfast, Lunch, Supper | ₱400.00 per meal |
REQUIREMENTS:
1. Fully Vaccinated. Please bring your Vaccination ID.
Together with you, we, Missionary Benedictine Sisters of Tutzing, stand on holy ground where our German and Filipina Sisters used to have their moments of quiet, rest and relaxation for so many years. With you in our midst, we feel that they have lovingly left their prayers here. So we offer you our "ORA ET LABORA" as we strike that balance in our PRAYER AND WORK. And finally, as we try to "connect" and build a faith community, we offer the Gift of Silence and Solitude as our Gift to the world...
Once again, we invite you all to a spiritual journey here at
St. Scholastica's Retreat House - Baguio City.
