Spirituality | Saint Pedro Poveda College

POVEDA Spirituality Center (SpiCe)

The POVEDA Spirituality Program forms persons who look at and act in the world with Christian criteria and are able to work with others in transforming society, who, like Jesus, are persons for all. It adopts the pastoral cycle approach, see (ver) – pray (orar) – judge (juzgar) – act (actuar) in its approach of being and doing in society.

The Campus Ministry, under the Poveda Spirituality Center, responds to the spiritual and pastoral needs of the whole institution and promotes spiritual growth of every member in the community. It provides the worship dimension of the faith development of the students and other members of the school community.

CAMPUS MINISTRY OFFICE

The Campus Ministry Office (CMO) animates the faith and worship dimension of the POVEDA community, drawing inspiration from the life and writings of St. Pedro Poveda, our patron saint, and the Teresian Spirituality. This Catholic faith community is nurtured through spiritual formations, liturgical celebrations, sacraments, and prayer services.

Celebration of the Holy Eucharist

St. Pedro Poveda said, "Without the Holy Eucharist, you cannot sustain a true spiritual life.” As one of his three great loves, the Eucharist lies at the heart of our faith. At Poveda, we aim to cultivate this devotion in every student and educator. Through Institutional, Class, Recollection, First Friday, and special event Masses, the CMO offers the school community regular opportunities to grow spiritually and deepen their faith.

Prayer Services

At Saint Pedro Poveda College, we uphold St. Pedro Poveda’s teaching that "Prayer is our only strength." For Kinder to Grade 2 students, prayer services are essential in nurturing their spiritual growth and preparing them for the Eucharist. Held during liturgical events, class feast days, and key TA celebrations, these services use stories, songs, and interactive prayers to help young Povedans understand the value of prayer and build a strong spiritual foundation.

Retreats and Recollections

Forming Christ-centered individuals, as envisioned by St. Pedro Poveda, involves intentional spiritual reflection. He once asked, "How many hours have you dedicated to reflecting on yourself?"—a reminder of the value of inner growth. Recollections for PreK to High School students and educators offer space for deepening faith through creative, prayerful activities. Each session is designed to meet participants where they are in their spiritual journey, guiding them with relevance and care.

Sacraments

CONFESSION

In order to assist in the formation of Povedans towards conversion and renewal of faith, the Poveda Spirituality Center offers the Sacrament of Confession to all year levels. Additionally, for educators, Confessions are offered during Advent and Lenten recollections.

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION OF GRADE 3 STUDENTS

As a Catholic school, one of the essential features we offer to Povedans is the preparation for this special occasion of receiving Christ for the first time in their journey as budding
Christians, typically in Grade 3.

CONFIRMATION OF GRADE 9 STUDENTS

Grade 9 students prepare for Confirmation with Confession during their recollection. Parents and sponsors attend a required Spiritual Enrichment session.

Celebrations of Marian Feasts

The Teresian Spirituality centers on deep devotion to the Blessed Mother, inspired by St. Pedro Poveda’s love for her. He believed that consecrating ourselves to Mary brings renewal and greater fervor. We honor her through Marian and liturgical celebrations, such as the Holy Rosary and Block Rosary in October. These devotions inspire humility, obedience, and faithfulness, guiding us to live out the virtues of Mary in our daily lives.

Spiritual Enrichment for Parents

Home and school share the goal of educating and nurturing children, which requires strong collaboration. As stated in Identity and Mission of the Educational Centers of the Teresian Association (Poveda, 1914), parental support is essential. The Spiritual Enrichment for Parents (SEP) fosters a Christian community, guiding parents alongside their daughters in the faith. SEP sessions align with the recollection schedule and grade-specific themes, such as First Holy Communion for Grade 3 or Confirmation for Grade 9.

Daily Prayer Guide and Prayer Booklet

The Prayer Guide is a monthly digital resource for educators and high school students, based on the Liturgy of the Hours. It includes the Pope's monthly intention, writings of St. Pedro Poveda, and reflections from TA members. The Prayer Booklet is a digital collection of prayers in English, Filipino, and Spanish, featuring prayers by St. Pedro Poveda and Teresian Association members.

SOCIAL ACTION OFFICE

The SAO translates Teresian Spirituality into action, empowering individuals to address societal issues with dignity, inclusion, and compassion. Its mission is to form Povedans as "Persons for All," promoting values of justice and service within and beyond the school community. Programs follow the Povedan Pastoral Spiral (PPS), inspired by St. Pedro Poveda’s mission to support the marginalized.

POVEDAN Pastoral Spiral

The Povedan Pastoral Spiral (PPS) is a process of reflection and action, particularly in the context of social justice and pastoral work. It is inspired by the SEE-JUDGE-ACT method
endorsed by the Catholic Church. The PPS emphasizes continuous growth in faith, leading to a deeper understanding and broader perspectives on social situations.

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Malay Programs

The Malay Program is a progressive formation program from Kinder to Grade 12 that promotes self-awareness, social consciousness, and community engagement. It nurtures respect, compassion, and a commitment to justice and service at every stage of a student’s growth.

The Malay Programs are:

Malay-Sarili (Kinder to Grade 3): Focuses on self-awareness and relationships with family, friends, and the community.
Malay-Kapwa (Grades 4 to 6): Develops social consciousness through interactions with the immediate people outside of their family.
Malay-Lipunan (Grades 7 to 12): Deepens awareness of social, cultural, and economic issues through immersive experiences and community service.

Malay Programs

This program engages the POVEDA community in addressing social and Church concerns through various initiatives:

Solidarity Week: Celebrated in December to honor St. Pedro Poveda and promote solidarity across the school.
Pro-Life Week: Held in February to uphold the sanctity of life, including participation in the Walk for Life.
Living Laudato Si: Promotes care for the environment, especially during the Season of Creation (Sept–Oct).
Voter’s Education: Encourages responsible citizenship rooted in Gospel values and Church teachings.
Mass Action: POVEDA joins public actions aligned with the Church’s stance on social issues.

Community Extension Program

This program allows the POVEDA community to share resources and skills with partner communities through meaningful outreach.

Employees’ Panagpuan: Educators encounter marginalized groups to foster solidarity and Gospel-centered service.
Victoria Diez Summer Immersion: Volunteers offer their time and talents to TA-assisted communities during summer.
Support Staff Development: Spiritual and personal formation for maintenance staff, EMTs, and security personnel.
Kasambahayan Program: Holistic development for childminders and drivers to enhance personal and work skills.
Elisa Giambelluca Educational Assistance: Provides aid to deserving students while encouraging Povedan student solidarity.
Outreach Activities:

Brigada Eskwela – Participation in public school prep.
Relief Operations (Damayan) – Aid for disaster victims.
Donations – Support for NGOs and Church initiatives.
Medical Missions – Health services for partner communities led by PPA.