Freed for God: Experiencing the Liberating Mercy and Love of the Lord

On March 28, 2026, the Philippine Jesuit Prison Service Foundation, Inc. (PJPS), in collaboration with the CBCP Episcopal Commission on Prison Pastoral Care, gathered hearts and souls at the Our Lady of Lourdes Chapel in Filinvest Alabang for a grace-filled Lenten recollection entitled “Freed for God: Experiencing the Liberating Mercy and Love of the Lord.”

In the stillness of the afternoon, participants were invited into a sacred journey, one that moved from seeking, to healing, and finally, to responding. Through prayer, music, and powerful testimonies, the recollection became more than a program, it became an encounter.

The reflections opened with soul-stirring music from the Bukas Palad Music Ministry, leading everyone into a space of longing and surrender. Their songs echoed the quiet cries of many hearts searching for God’s light amid struggles and uncertainties.

At the heart of the recollection were stories of grace.

We listened to the courageous testimony of Jun Lozada, who shared how choosing truth over comfort led him through suffering, yet ultimately revealed a deeper freedom rooted in God’s mercy. His witness reminded us that true liberation is not bound by circumstances, but found in fidelity to conscience and faith.

Equally moving was the story of Ate Dolly Pangilinan, who spoke on behalf of families who wait, endure, and hope. Her journey as the wife of a Person Restored to Liberty revealed that God’s love is not only present behind prison walls, but also within homes that carry the weight of separation and longing.

The recollection continued with testimonies of service and compassion through Ms. Roberta “Bobbie” de Vela, whose lifelong commitment to prison ministry embodies the quiet, faithful presence of Christ among the forgotten. Her witness affirmed that even in places marked by suffering, God’s mercy flows abundantly.

As the afternoon unfolded, hope took center stage through the voices of MusiKalayaan, a choir composed of PJPS scholars, children of Persons Deprived of Liberty. Their songs became a powerful testament: that from brokenness can rise new life, and from pain, a future filled with promise.

The recollection culminated in the celebration of the Holy Eucharist, presided by Bishop Oscar Jaime Florencio, uniting all present in thanksgiving and mission. It was a reminder that we are not only recipients of God’s mercy, we are also called to become instruments of His love in the world.

Indeed, “Freed for God” is not just a theme. It is a call, a call to recognize that no matter our past, our wounds, or our limitations, God’s mercy has the power to restore, renew, and send us forth.

With grateful hearts, PJPS thanks all partners, volunteers, speakers, and participants who made this sacred gathering possible. We also extend our sincere appreciation to Filinvest City and the Our Lady of Lourdes Chapel for generously opening their space and allowing us to hold this meaningful recollection in a place of prayer and encounter. May this experience continue to inspire us to walk with the marginalized, to serve with compassion, and to live lives truly freed for God.