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by Philipina A. Marcelo
On April 28, 2011, the Pontifical and Royal University of Santo Tomas, The Catholic University of the Philippines (UST) will be marking its 400th Foundation Anniversary - "400 Years of Unending Grace". And, on its
University Day, January 28, 2011 - the Feast of its Patron Saint, St. Thomas Aquinas - this oldest University in Asia will hold the highlight of its Quadricentennial celebrations! True to its Catholic values and aspirations, the University prepared for its "Q Celebration" with a spiritual event that proved to be a turning point for many Thomasians serving the University.On November 3-5, 2010, the Office of the Vice Rector for Religious Affairs and the Office of Campus Ministry organized the historical "Quadricentennial Retreat", where UST Administrators, Academic Staff and Non-Academic Personnel - all 2,000+ of us - came together at the SMX Convention Center at the Mall of Asia Complex in Pasay City to set the UST Q Celebration wheels in motion! The theme of the momentous event was "Tria Haec... Impelled by Faith, Propelled by Hope, Compelled by Love".
The three-day spiritual journey was divided into three parts, each with its own theme: (1) First day: "Impelled by Faith", (2) Second day: "Propelled by Hope", and (3) Third day: "Compelled by Love". All three days started with the community praying the Rosary and, except the first day, closed with the celebration of the Holy Mass. Each day was made unforgettable by a truly engaging Talk given by a very distinguished Man of God. Thomasian lay persons served as witnesses, sharing their experience(s) related with UST in heartfelt words that made each day an absolutely meaningful one.
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Impelled by Faith
The opening mass on the first day was celebrated by His Eminence Gaudencio B. Cardinal Rosales, D.D. - the Archbishop of Manila and himself a brilliant Thomasian. An alumnus of the UST Seminary, Cardinal Rosales considered the event to be a wonderful homecoming for him.
In his homily, Cardinal Rosales challenged the Thomasians to carry on the vision of the University's founder, Rev. Fr. Miguel de Benavides, O. P., to serve God in humility through high quality
Catholic education that is defined by love and compassion. While this might be a tall order to many, Cardinal Rosales said that doing this begins with small things - little baby steps. He then proceeded to remind the leadership of the University and all the Thomasian leaders in their respective fields that the main reason for the resilience of UST is Fr. Benavides's vision, which is a UST flourishing in the brilliance of its people, who are impelled by their Catholic faith. It is that same vision which Thomasians from many generations have set their sights to and committed their time and talents to. This is why UST remains to be the beacon of excellent Catholic education, not only in the Philippines, but in the whole of Asia - for four centuries now! Therefore, the importance of having a vision cannot be overemphasized, and that "leadership without vision is treason". Following the mass and other preliminary activities was the first Retreat Talk given brilliantly by another illustrious Thomasian, the Most Rev. Fr. Teodoro
Bacani, D.D. Bishop Bacani spoke about faith, and its importance as the foundation of service to God and His people. He said that Faith is PET. P = personal, E = ecclesiastical, and T = transformative. He stressed on the three aspects of transformative faith: passion for excellence, compassion for people, and submission to God. He reminded everyone that in spiritual life - a life that a Thomasian should hope to live - the only way to go "up" is to go "down" humbly - in service to God. And one excellent way to serve God with humility is through teaching, therefore teaching could be an apostolate. However, God is not asking us to do "superhuman" things, and that service to Him begins in small steps - in the right direction, small efforts - in the name of God. And, most importantly, Faith is Trust... Trust in God's Love.***
Propelled by Hope
The second day saw the Most Rev. Fr. Luis Antonio Tagle, D.D. tug at many hearts and bring enlightenment to many bewildered minds and souls. Bishop Tagle spoke about Hope, and the mysterious ways by which God renews us spiritually... through His love - in the form of Hopeful inspiration.
Since that day in November 2007 when I came back to UST after a long absence, restlessness and despair seemed to have settled in my heart and soul, and they were dragging me down helplessly into the abyss of hopelessness! I believe that it was on the second day of the Retreat when restlessness finally eased its grip on me, and I was able to stare despair in the eyes with inspired defiance that made it squirm away! It was on this day when my Thomasian commitment was renewed in ways that were very special.
And I have reasons to believe that Bishop Tagle whispered that magical prayer that scared restlessness out of its wits to finally shut up - hopefully, never to regain enough energy to rattle my world again!Bishop Tagle began his Talk not by defining Hope, but by saying that, "Hope is experienced in absurd and senseless situations." Naturally, just because I felt that I have always been in and out of a "senseless and absurd situation" since November 2007 - in UST - what he said made me sit up and listen intently... in the hope of inviting and finally experiencing Hope in that "senseless and absurd" situation of mine! He then proceeded to ask his battery of "why's"... why do we fret on absurd and senseless things while other people see them insignificant enough to be completely ignored? Why does our blood boil at the sight of absurdity and senselessness when others can afford a serene smile and peacefully walk away unperturbed? Why do we want to scream our heads off when people choose senselessness and absurdity over wisdom and common sense while others just stare blankly and walk away with a shrug? And then, he
proceeded to answer his own questions... because we see sense... because wisdom is our friend... because we feel compassion - and it makes sense... because we understand what is right and what is wrong... because we recognize a tiny little beauty in a sea of repulsive ugliness... because we know better, and we know that things can be better... and most importantly, because Hope is in our hearts! Huh? What was that again? Bishop Tagle's declaration left me frozen for a few absurd seconds! I had Hope in my heart? It didn't make sense! As if hearing my confusion, the kind Bishop went on to say that the day when we submit to senselessness and absurdity, and allow them to dominate our lives and our surroundings - automatically fixing a serene smile on our faces, shrugging our shoulders with a resigned sigh, turning our back and walking away unperturbed - is the day when we stop caring... the day when we lose Hope!
Senselessness and absurdity will continue to stir our souls to restlessness when Hope resides in our hearts... because "hope is about living - living a life that is focused on God - living a life in God...," the Bishop said. We cling to God and His words, no
matter how absurd it is, no matter how senseless the thought of it is, no matter how difficult - because we have Faith in Him... and our Faith gives us hope because Hope and Faith are together - in a life in God. Right there and then, epiphany hit me, and I was overjoyed!!I always thought I've made a mistake by coming back to UST after my enriching and thoroughly satisfying stint at Cornell University in New York as a Fulbright scholar... giving up many great opportunities for an exciting life with a lucrative career - a chance of living in luscious pastures where the grass is so much greener. I came back to the Philippines because I was absolutely committed to fulfill my end of the bargain in the very prestigious scholarship - a small price to pay. And I chose UST to go back to among many other opportunities in the Philippines because, being a devout Catholic and having taught there for a number of years before Cornell, I couldn't think of anywhere else where service can be more fulfilling. And that burning desire to make a difference in my country - I had that... I still have it!
While the inefficiency of various organizational systems in UST drove me to grave and hopeless despair - EVERY SINGLE DAY - I always get lost in delicious ecstasy whenever I stand in front of my students to give a lecture. I'm pretty sure it wasn't just about the wonders of teaching and the beautiful process of passing on an acquired knowledge... but it's more about the Thomasian spirit - God's grace - that moves about in every hallowed classroom of my beloved USTe. The feeling is so addictively beautiful that I'd like to feel it everywhere and everytime. Therefore, it drove me crazy (it still does) whenever I feel the exact opposite of ecstasy - experiencing the senseless inefficiencies of some key offices and the utter absurdity of those who make big decisions for the University in those offices! And the reason why these kill me everytime is because, many times before, I've breathed the air of Universities steered to greatness by dear old wisdom and common sense of their
leaders. But now, I understand that this knowledge and rich experiences - all are wonderful gifts from God - give me hope that someday, UST will flourish in the great wisdom and common sense of its own wonderful leaders as well... when the few absurd ones finally see sense! But the long wait drove me to despair in the meantime - it still does! Nevertheless, if Bishop Tagle was right, that this despair is rooted to Hope, I'd gladly take it, even willingly suffer from it! And, I know that the constant burst of ecstasy in the classroom with my brilliant students, and in the company of wonderful true friends in the University, no matter how infrequent, will help me endure despair!And so, I remain hopeful... and faithful in my Hope.
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Compelled by Love
The very kind and popular former chief-of-staff of the late Cardinal Jaime L. Sin, the Most Rev. Socrates B. Villegas, D.D., the Archbishop of Lingayen-Dagupan, Pangasinan took the "love helm" on the third day of the Retreat. Archbishop Villegas stressed on the four foremost aspects of Love: (1) Love is contemplative... and a Christian's way of contemplation is by prayer, because prayer leads to God... and God is Love.
Praying to God is like resting with God... and when we are rested with God, we have peace in our hearts. (2) Love is compassion... and compassionate - it is on fire, always eager to to be with the beloved - no matter what, and therefore, always eager to give and forgive. (3) Love is communion... it seeks relationship, strengthening relationship - with God, through God and in God. A communion with God, Archbishop Villegas said, is "allowing God to embrace us." And when we are in God's embrace, we are protected from all anxieties that impedes personal and spiritual growth. (4) Love is communication... communication through the heart - in silence - because the language of God is silence... because love is best expressed
in silence.And so, we all paused in silence... and savored the warmth and sweetness of God's embrace. The experience was a life-changing one for me... it did not only renew my Thomasian commitment, it did clear the clouds in the sky above me as well. Now, it's all blue and, oh, so beautiful, too! And in that beauty... in the velvety silence, I think I heard God whisper what He desired of me... and the wisdom of it brought peace in my heart and in my mind.
I am glad I am a Thomasian! I am proud to be a Thomasian!
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Photo credits: I own all photos, except Photo #3 (statue of Rev. Fr. Miguel de Benavides, O. P.): owned by Norberto Villanueva.
Acknowledgement: Photos #5, #6, #7 and #10 are shots of the paintings of the late Joey Velasco, which were loaned by his wife to UST and on display during the Q Retreat at SMX Convention Center. My sincerest appreciation and gratitude to Joey Velasco's wife.
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