ROCA: An Institute for Contemplation in Davao

Regina Rosarii Contemplative Association-Davao or ROCA Davao is an organization of lay mission partners composed of thirty-five (35) members under the Dominican Sisters of Regina Rosarii established in August 2015. Its members meet daily online for thirty (30) minutes to pray and every Monday at 6:00 to 8:00 in the evening at the Blessed Sacrament Chapel of the Our Lady of Lourdes Parish for their Contemplative Sit.

On February 6, 2023, ROCA Davao installed its twenty-two (22) members with its new medal. It was followed by the launching of the book, “Abundance 3: Following Mary Women and the Power of Silence” written by Reynaldo P. Barnido, a Lay Contemplative of Regina Rosarii based in Manila. The book’s foreword was written by Sr. Eppie Brasil, OP, Foundress and Superior General of Dominican Sisters of Regina Rosarii.

During the book launching, Mr. Barnido explained that the book was inspired by the women in his life who showed him what inner power is. In her Foreword, Sr. Eppie described the book as a collection of both dance and blessing. It is all about abundance that when we feel blessed we dance. The book is sold at Php 200.00 during the launching and is now priced at Php 250.00.

Prior to the investiture and launching of the book, the group had a shortened contemplative prayer, followed by the holy mass officiated by Most Rev. George B. Rimando, D.D., Davao City Auxiliary Bishop and Vicar-General.

Vicky Anghag, Chief Coordinator of ROCA Davao said: “Contemplative prayer is the way of pure faith and nothing else. It is practiced, not felt. This is the essence of contemplative prayer. Its fruits are intuition or wisdom and compassion or love for others. The key to this experience is constant practice that slowly becomes a habit.”

“One of the benefits of contemplative prayer, a prayer of the heart, is that we desire to pray constantly and without ceasing. The prayer habit will help us become more serene and peaceful, always at rest in the heart of God”, Anghag further elaborated.

To become a member, one must go through different layers of formation on contemplation on a regular Contemplative Intensive Retreat at the Regina Rosarii Institute for Contemplation in Asia (Regina RICA) in Sampaloc, Tanay, Rizal. (Rowena Baldoza Villaflor, OLLP GKK SoCCom Coordinator)