At the Loyola Retreat House, Rene B. Javellana, SJ—Jesuit priest, historian, and artist—curates a Lenten exhibit that invites reflection, prayer, and encounter with God through art. Fr. Rene bridges Christian faith, Jesuit spirituality, and cultural creativity, showing that even ordinary life can be a path to God.
Featured in the photo is his work, “ZenDok,” a thoughtful fusion of Zen sesshin—intensive silent meditation aimed at awakening deep awareness—and the Filipino sandok, a humble everyday ladle. In Zen practice, the kyosaku (striking stick) functions as a spark, nudging the mind beyond itself and awakening the participant’s deepest attentiveness. Fr. Rene’s sandok are filled with various religious and wise illustrations he drew.
For Christians, ZenDok invites a parallel experience: like Ignatian discernment or deep prayer, it points to God’s presence in silence, attentiveness, and everyday life. By blending creative stillness with ordinary acts as choosing which sandok to trigger thoughts and reflection, Fr. Rene shows that God can be encountered in both profound meditation and the simple rhythms of daily life.
This work embodies the Jesuit call to find God in all things, reminding us that prayer, creativity, and even the most ordinary tasks can become spaces where we meet God, awaken our hearts, and align our lives with His presence. #JoinTheJesuits
