The UST Central Library, which houses the country’s oldest collection of books, was officially renamed as Miguel de Benavides Library last Aug. 11.
In his keynote speech, Acting Rector Fr. Juan Ponce, O.P. said that the library was renamed to give due recognition to the University’s founder.
“It is right to give a well-deserved honor and distinction to Fr. Benavides, who left an indelible mark in the history of our institution,” Ponce said. “He is the true catalyst of Thomasian changes in education.”
Benavides, the third archbishop of Manila, is recognized as the founder of the University for bequeathing his personal fortune of P1,500 and his personal library to the establishment of a school when he died in 1605. His dream became UST in 1611, when the school was founded.
An exhibit on the life of Benavides, was also opened at the ground floor of the library.
The exhibit, “Fr. Miguel de Benavides, O.P.: An Exhibition,” tackled Benavides’ inspirations, such as St. Dominic de Guzman and Our Lady of the Rosary, his childhood, his entry to the Dominican order and his theological studies, his missionary work in the Philippines, and his pastoral achievements as bishop of Nueva Segovia and later, of Manila.
“The purpose of the exhibit is to make all people know Fr. Benavides, but more than that, the vision of the University’s founder that guided his service,” Fr. Angel Aparicio O.P., the library’s prefect told the Varsitarian. P. B. A. Casin and L. J. D. Postrado
