Jan. 27, 2015, 6:34 p.m. – THOMASIANS should emulate St.
Thomas Aquinas’ “unwavering desire to always be in pursuit of truth.”
During the Concelebrated Mass for the feast of St. Thomas
Aquinas, Fr. Michael Mascari, O.P., socius for the intellectual life of the
Dominican Order, told University students, faculty, and staff that Aquinas
preferred to seek the truth, which is Christ above all else.
“St. Thomas Aquinas always looked for the truth which is
Christ. So great was his desire to be united with Christ that he counted
everything as rubbish compared to Jesus,” Mascari said in his homily at the
Santisimo Rosario Parish Church Tuesday morning.
Mascari said the pursuit of truth meant being in constant
dialogue with people from all walks of life, especially the poor since their
voice is important in social discussions.
“The challenge is to pursue the truth of the Gospel and to
be in dialogue not only with scholars who have expertise in different fields
but with all people in your country. These include business and government
leaders but especially … those who have no voice: the unemployed, the hungry
and the homeless,” he said.
Mascari also lauded the University’s efforts in balancing
the spiritual and academic needs of its students, faculty, and staff.
“Your University has an extraordinary legacy but more
impressive, more compelling is your continuing passion to seek the presence of
God in our world and to share the goodness with the students,” Mascari said.
“May we listen together to the Word of God and may we be filled with the same
love that claimed the heart of St. Thomas.”
Aquinas, considered the “Angelic Doctor of the Catholic
Church,” is the patron saint of Catholic schools and universities.
His works include the Summa Contra Gentiles and the Summa
Theologica, which are some of the medieval period’s most influential works.
The Church marks his feast day tomorrow, Jan. 28, a holiday
in UST. Danielle Ann F. Gabriel
