This phenomenological study explores the lived experiences of college students encountering the Sacred in the context of Theological learning within Catholic higher education in the Philippines. Grounded in the conviction that Theology courses are not merely academic requirements but privileged spaces for faith seeking understanding, the research seeks to uncover how students experience, interpret, and give meaning to moments of transcendence, insight, or transformation that emerge in the Theology classroom. Guided by the principles of hermeneutic phenomenology, in-depth interviews and reflective narratives were gathered from students enrolled in Theology courses across a Catholic tertiary institution. Data were analyzed using van Manen’s (1990) thematic approach to illuminate the essence of Theological learning as a lived encounter. The findings reveal that the experience of encountering the Sacred manifests through moments of interior reflection, dialogical engagement, and a deepened awareness of self, others, and God. These encounters often lead to renewed moral sensitivity, faith awakening, and an integrated sense of vocation and purpose. The study concludes that the Theology classroom can become a transformative space where faith and reason meet, allowing students to experience learning as an encounter with the Sacred rather than a mere academic exercise. The insights generated affirm the indispensable role of Theology courses in sustaining the formative mission and Catholic identity of higher education institutions in the Philippines.

Authors:
Aldino Gonzales, De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, Philippines

About the Presenter(s)
Dr. Aldino Jiao Gonzales, Program Coordinator, Bachelor of Holistic Disciplines (B-HOLD), School of Multidisciplinary Studies, De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, Manila, Philippines.

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