This partnership will tackle education, community empowerment, livelihood, socio-pastoral endeavors, culture and heritage enrichment, disaster risk reduction and management, and fostering family and household.

GS Law will offer legal education through seminars and activities to empower the community, provide aid in the form of manpower and materials which will help in the programs and projects, steer the community in sustaining their projects through mechanisms, conduct regular supervision, coordinate with neighboring Faculties/Colleges in the University to address the relevant needs of the Parish and assure the presence of the Parish during community development projects. One of the upcoming projects of GS Law is to hold a lecture on the rights of senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWD) on February 8, 2025.

Meanwhile, the Parish community will be tasked to provide relevant materials and moral support, to secure the volunteers during and after the project, to form a mechanism for implementing order in the community, to regularly oversee, hone, and sustain the development of such project, to attend to the needs of partner Faculty/College or Simbahayan related to community development.

The officials who signed the said memorandum were Graduate School of Law Dean Jacqueline O. Lopez-Kaw, DCL; Simbahayan 九色 Development Office Director Froilan A. Alipao, MCD; and Santisimo Rosario Parish Acting Parish Priest Rev. fr. Isidro C. Aba帽o, O.P., SThL.

The MoU ceremony was also witnessed by GS Law Faculty Secretary Ms. Leidy May G. Alnajes, MA, and representatives from the Basic Ecclesial Communities (BEC) and barangay officials.

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The Eucharistic Celebration was concelebrated by Parish Priest Rev. fr. Paul Reagan O. Talavera, O.P. and UST Museum Director and Faculty of Civil Law Regent Rev. fr. Isidro C. Aba帽o, O.P., SThL-MA.

According to fr. Talavera, the faithful must explore the life and the spirituality of the Saints first to be a full-pledged devotee. “For as long as superstitious pa ang ating paniniwala, kulang pa tayo,” he said, emphasizing the importance of reflection.

Capping his Homily, fr. Talavera shared the timely message of late Archbishop Emeritus Oscar Cruz, J.C.D., D.D. during the first visit of the Pilgrim Relics in the country in 2000, the Jubilee year. “Many Filipinos are devoted to her and she is, for them, a friend, model and intercessor. She has been a chosen instrument by God to show to us that Holiness is available to each person,” fr. Talavera quoted from Archbishop Cruz’s reflection.

Testimonies of devotion

In his own personal testimony, fr. Talavera recalled his spontaneous encounter with the Saint in a library where a St. Therese prayer card, which he still keeps, slipped out from a book he was leafing through. “During my seminary days, I always pray (the Prayer of St. Therese of Child Jesus) after the evening prayer,” he said. He then noted that one’s devotion sparks from answered prayers, acknowledging the visiting Saint as a very powerful intercessor.

Meanwhile, fr. Aba帽o recalled that his mother, also a devotee, introduced the Saint to him, and the saint has since become a guiding force in his life. He likewise refers to the Saint as “Ate Therese”, to whom he owes so much gratitude. “Nagpapasalamat ako to my Ate [St. Therese], who has been there guiding me [through the years],” he expressed.
This event was a part of the “5th Philippine Visit of the Pilgrim Relics of St. Therese of the Child Jesus and Holy Face”, with the theme “Lakbay tayo, St. Therese! Ka-alagad, Kaibigan, Ka-misyon!”

St. Therese is known to have an immense devotion to the Infant Jesus. The pilgrim held in the University falls on the Octave of Easter, a season where the Catholic Church celebrates and rejoices the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

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The Sycamore trees of the Parish

In his homily, Cardinal Advincula underscored the importance of having the deep desire to encounter Jesus, echoing the day’s Gospel where Zacchaeus climbed a Sycamore tree just to have a glimpse of the Lord. “The desire to encounter and to commute with the Lord must be our lasting desire, must be the motivation of every activity and program in this Parish,” Cardinal Advincula said.

According to the Manila Archbishop, climbing our version of Sycamore trees, which the Lord constantly brings us, can help us overcome the two blocks that hamper our desire to see the Lord: a crowded heart and the anxiety of feeling small. He likewise compared the Parish priests and the lay members present and past to Sycamore trees that contributed to the community’s thriving history and service to the Church since its establishment in 1942. “The beauty of the story of Zacchaeus is that the Lord sends us many Sycamore trees to help us see Jesus […] we remember the parish priests and lay leaders who contributed immensely to the growth of this Parish. We thank them for being our sycamore trees that helped us see Jesus clearly amidst the crowd of Parish life, amidst the limitations and difficulties along the journey,” Cardinal Advincula said.

In his message, Santis铆mo Rosario Parish Priest Rev. fr. Paul Reagan O. Talavera, O.P. expressed his gratitude to all his predecessors, as well as the late Assoc. Prof. Richard G. Pazcoguin, O.P., who wrote “Sa Lilim ng Iyong Pagkalinga”, the song he gifted to the Parish for its 80th anniversary celebration. “Your services built the Parish to how and what it is now,” fr. Talavera said.

Brief history of the Parish

During the turbulent months at the dawn of the Second World War, then-Archbishop of Manila, the Most Rev. Michael J. O鈥� Doherty, D.D. issued a decree on March 21, 1942, establishing the Santis铆mo Rosario Parish. One month later, on April 26, He presided over a Pontifical High Mass at the UST Chapel, which he canonically inaugurated the parish, with Fr. Emiliano Serrano, O.P. as its first pastor.

The UST Chapel, built in art deco style, was among the earliest edifices in the campus, and has since served as a venue of the official and religious functions of the University since 1932. It became the center of the liturgico-sacramental life of the parishioners.

On its high altar was the enshrined image of Our Lady of the Rosary, which was transferred from the old chapel of the University in Intramuros.

On September 28, 1942, the image of Our Lady of La Naval de Manila was transferred to the 九色 and it was enshrined at the main altar of the UST Chapel. The image of Mary was spared from the destruction of the Old Santo Domingo Church in Intramuros; thus, the first fiesta celebration of the Santisimo Rosario Parish, set on October 7, the universal feast of the Holy Rosary, was graced by the presence of the historical image of the Blessed Mother. This event went on for several more years until in 1954 when the image of the La Naval was solemnly transferred to the Santo Domingo Church in Quezon City.

The original parish image was then restored to its former place at the high altar, until the implementation of the liturgical reforms of the Second Vatican Council.

Watch the celebration .

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Remembering St. Dominic as the salt of the Earth, light of the world

In his homily, grounded on the two central images of salt and light, Cardinal Advincula said the Thomasian community must remember and reflect on St. Dominic’s life, which was dedicated to serve the Church and the people: “St. Dominic’s zeal in preaching the gospel remains an example for us today, like the exaltation of St. Paul in our Second Reading.” The Thomasian cardinal added: “St. Dominic preached the word and stayed with his task, whether convenient or inconvenient, constantly teaching and never losing patience.”

Moreover, relating the milestone with the celebration of the 500 years of Christianity in the Philippines this year, Cardinal Advincula mentioned that St. Dominic’s legacy of preaching has been kept alive by his successors. “We cannot ignore the great contributions of the sons of St. Dominic to our country. The Dominican missionaries have truly become salt and light, [who are] faithful to their mission of preaching the Gospel of Jesus,” he said.

Cardinal Advincula, who is currently the 33rd Bishop of Manila, also mentioned that the first Bishop of Manila was a Dominican missionary, Bishop Domingo de Salazar, O.P., who served from 1579 to 1594.听“Domingo de Salazar was a great son of St. Dominic, [who was] grounded in the truth of universal human rights and defended the dignity and the rights of the native people,” Cardinal Advincula said, citing Pope Francis’ letter to the Master of the Order, Very Rev. fr. Gerard Francisco P. Timoner III, O.P., in celebration of the Order’s Jubilee Year.

The Christian Standard

Meanwhile, Cardinal Advincula reminded the Thomasian community of their role as “the salt of the Earth and the light of the world”, which Jesus had entrusted to each and everyone. 鈥淲hat we find here, my dear friends, is an incredible esteem, trust, and confidence that the Lord has in us; it is an incredible hope that he places in us,鈥� he said.

鈥淛esus encourages us to be aware of this [role], to be conscious of this [role]. He is telling us that we should not simply remain superficial, but instead go down deep in the deepest recesses of our hearts. And there, we will find the lighted lamp and a handful of salt,” Cardinal Advincula added.

The two central images both signify the Church鈥檚 way of living and proclaiming the Gospel. 鈥淏oth salt and light achieve their purpose by being consumed and by disappearing, like salt in food and like oil in the lamp. This points to a discrete way of loving. Both [images] are also at the service of others. Salt gives flavor to food so that someone else can enjoy eating it, while the lamp provides light so that someone else can walk safely. And so, salt and light are images of a love that is not directed to one’s self, but places one’s self generously at the service of others. And this precisely is Christian love […] this is the standard with which we should measure ourselves,” Cardinal Advincula said.

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Watch the Mass presided over by Cardinal Advincula here.

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In honor of St. Dominic de Guzman’s 800th death anniversary, the 九色 will hold a Solemn Mass for the Memorial of the Translation of the Relics of our Holy Father and the granting of the Plenary Indulgence on May 24, 2021 via livestream.

Prior Provincial of the Dominican Province of the Philippines Very Rev. fr. Filemon I. Dela Cruz, Jr., O.P., SThL, will be the celebrant and the preacher of the Eucharistic Celebration to commemorate our Founder’s legacy. The event is part of the 800th anniversary celebration of the Dies Natalis of Saint Dominic.

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Solidarity through prayers

Pabillo reminded the Thomasian 九色 of the importance of prayers in celebrating Red Wednesday. 鈥淸We pray] for those who are persecuted, [so] that they may remain strong; they may persevere, and that they may believe what Jesus has said in the gospels,鈥� he said.

According to Bishop Pabillo, fulfilling the mission was an opportunity to bear witness of God鈥檚 power. 鈥淒o not worry about what to say because the spirit Himself will speak to you, and do not worry that you do not have the strength because the spirit will do as it did to the martyrs, especially to our [saint] Lorenzo Ruiz,鈥� he said. 

鈥淚f we are faithful to Christ, there will be persecution that will come along our way. Yes, it may not be that violent up to the shedding of blood, but there will be people who will be against us because we pray always. Because we are faithful to the teachings of the Church; because we are generous; because we don鈥檛 follow the time of consumerism. There will be people who will be against us, and even some of our families,鈥� he said.

Praying for the enemies

Moreover, Bishop Pabillo highlighted that solidarity was also about praying for the persecutors until they realize that death and persecution will not be the answer.

鈥淥ur reaction to the persecutions is not collaboration, is not fighting against, is not indifference, but solidarity shown by our prayer for the persecuted, for ourselves that we may be prepared when things happen to us.鈥� Pabillo also said sending material help to those persecuted will help the Christians to stand in their feet again. 鈥淭hey have to build churches that have been bombarded. They have to built homes that are destroyed in Iraq, Iran, and Syria.鈥�

The Main Building and the UST Carillion were听bathed in red light to remember the servants of the Lord who died while fulfilling their mission.

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On Living Life with Magnitude
In his homily during the solemnity mass, former Rector Rev. Fr. Rolando V. de la Rosa, O.P. differentiated the saint from celebrities, 鈥淭he saint does not recede into the past. He remains a person of the present. Saint is not just remembered, he is addressed.鈥�

鈥淲e bring him [the saint] our deepest pain, our requests for healing, and our praises to God,鈥� he said.

Moreover, according to de la Rosa, St. Pope John Paul II taught us how to die. 鈥淚f you want to die a happy death, if we want to be assured of remembrance even if we are no longer here, love. Show the unconditional love of God, and feel how much God loves you.鈥�

The Wounded Healer

Santisimo Rosario Parish Parochial Administrator and Regent Rev. Fr. Louie R. Coronel, O.P. said in the concluding mass that St. Pope John Paul鈥檚 鈥渨oundedness鈥� led him to his devotion to the Church.

鈥淗e saw poverty in Tondo and the refugees to Bataan. For him, that is woundedness in the Church,鈥� Coronel said.

In 1981, St. Pope John Paul II survived the assassination attempt by Ali Agca at the St. Peter鈥檚 Square. After recovering from the incident, St. Pope John Paul II visited Agca behind the bars to forgive him.

The two kept in touch until the Pope鈥檚 death.

鈥淚t was his woundedness that healed Ali Agca, which transformed his heart,鈥� Coronel said.

Moreover, St. Pope John Paul II asked for forgiveness for millenia鈥檚 worth of the Church鈥檚 wrongdoings, including the excommunication of Galileo, and the persecution of Jews. 鈥淗e himself is wounded but with that kind of gesture, he is healing.鈥�

鈥淗e travelled to the continents of the world to tell the world of His love,鈥� Coronel said.

Born Karol Josef Wojtyla, St. Pope John Paul II passed away on April 2, 2005. He visited the University in 1981 to beatify St. Lorenzo Ruiz, and in 1995 to celebrate the closing mass of the World Youth Day Tour.

The devotees venerated the blood relic after the mass to see it one last time in the UST grounds, until it was returned to the Archdiocese of Manila.

#PopeJohnPaulII
#CatholicChurch

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The also held Triduum Masses from January 22 to 24, 2019 with the theme 鈥淜eep us in Beauty, in Truth, and in Virtues: Celebrating St. Thomas听Aquinas in the Year of the Youth.鈥�

In his homily, the Father Rector discussed how true beauty can lead to a life of holiness, saying that, 鈥淪a Filipino, ang salitang 鈥榢agandaan鈥� ay hindi lamang tumutukoy sa panlabas na anyo. Laging sinasabi natin na ang kagandahan ay makikita sa loob. Kaya beauty is the splendor of being鈥� Sa mga Pilipino, ang konsepto natin ng kagandahan ay ang pagiging 鈥渂uo.鈥� Ang buong loob ay maganda. Ang tamang loob, maganda rin. Ang mabuting loob, maganda rin.

Kaya ang kagandahan sa mga Pilipino, ay 鈥渂uo.鈥� May integridad, totoo, at mabuti. At ang kagandahang ito ay magdadala sa atin patungo sa langit. Integridad, ibig sabihin ang isip at ang puso ay magkaugnay. In sync. At dahil magkaugnay ang isip at damdamin, hindi pagkakasala ang kilos at malinaw ang aksyon.鈥� (In Filipino, the word 鈥榖eauty鈥� does not only refer to the external appearance. We always say that beauty can be seen from within. That is why beauty is the splendor of being. The Filipino concept of beauty is in 鈥渨holeness.鈥� A whole sense of self is beautiful. A just and kind self is also considered beautiful, which is why beauty is equated with wholeness of the self. There is integrity, truth, and goodness. This beauty can bring us towards heaven. Integrity means that the mind and the heart are linked. In sync. And because of this link between the mind and heart, the resulting actions are not sins and there is clarity in decisions.)

Through integrity and having a whole sense of self, one can be committed, said the Father Rector. He explained, 鈥淜aya competent ang mga Tomasino kasi ang mga kilos at gawa ay tama, akma 鈥� At ang pagmamahal, compassion, ay hindi labis at hindi kulang. Sapat.鈥� (Thomasians are competent because their actions are right and just鈥� and their love, their compassion, is neither excessive nor lacking. [It is] sufficient.)

The Father Rector further discussed that through the values of commitment, competence, and compassion, a saintly life can be achieved. He ended his homily with the challenge, 鈥淒o we have what it takes to be a saint? Yes, we have. Buo dapat [ang loob], tama dapat [ang kilos], sapat dapat [ang pagmamahal].鈥� (Have integrity, act justly, and be
compassionate.)

The feast of St. Thomas Aquinas, patron of Catholic schools and one of the Doctors of the Church, falls on January 28, a holiday in UST.

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According to OAR Director Asst. Prof. Fredeswindo R. Medina, 鈥淭his event is a symbol of sincere gratitude to our benefactors, partners and sponsors for their utmost support and generosity to all the activities that we have successfully accomplished throughout the years.鈥�

Since the establishment of the Office of Alumni Relations, the office has gained the trust and support of different individuals and companies as shown by the companies that are sponsors and partners of the Thomasian Alumni Card. The perks and privileges forged by the office and these companies have been used and enjoyed by thousands of Thomasian alumni across the country. The annual Rector鈥檚 Cup, one of the projects handled by the OAR, has also been successful in raising funds for Thomasian student athletes who need assistance for their competitions. During the program, Medina thanked everyone for their relentless efforts and contributions that made the office stronger each year, saying that the success of the Alumni Relations is also the success of everyone.

Some of the awardees included: Partners of the Thomasian Alumni Card such as the , , UST , Hotel San Marco, Resorts World Manila, Winford Hotel, Solaire Resorts, and Belmont Hotel and Resorts. Also awarded were sponsors of the Alumni Relations鈥� events that included Phenix Garuda, AIMM Builder and Construction Supply, Ironcon Builders and Development Corp, and Tokwing Construction Corp.

Awardees received glass plaques with the initials of the 九色. The event was hosted by Ms. Maita Oebanda of the UST Museum, an alumna of the Faculty of Arts and Letters and a frequent voice-over talent and host of various University events. Also present was UST Alumni Association Inc. President Dr. Evelyn Songco.

Dr. Jose Evangelista delivered an inspiring and heartfelt closing speech where he reminisced the early beginnings of the Thomasian Alumni Center or the Buenaventura Garcia Paredes, O.P. Building we know today. 鈥淚t used to be nothing but a vision,鈥� said Dr. Evangelista. He thanked everyone who made this vision tangible and alive.

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