UST Rector Fr. Herminio Dagohoy, O.P. told Thomasians on Friday there was no “dragon” or trial in life that God could not defeat, as he opened this year’s “Game of Thrones”-inspired Paskuhan festivities.
“[W]e have experienced so many trials as individuals, as a community [and] as a nation. Advent is a season that reminds us that this is God’s world. And no matter how big the dragon in our life that stabs us to disembowel our dignity, that attempts to rob us from our holy freedom, that threatens the strength of our life, we should never give up,” Dagohoy said in his homily during the Eucharistic celebration at Plaza Mayor.
The dragon was a loose reference to the mythical creatures adapted by ”Game of Thrones,” the popular HBO TV series about power struggles in a medieval-like realm.
Dagohoy also recalled the biblical story of the prophet Daniel, who destroyed false idols Bel and a dragon after refusing to worship them.
The Rector urged Thomasians to welcome the Advent season with hope that faith in God would overcome any darkness that might come in their lives.
Dagohoy said the coming of Christ offered comfort amid exile and estrangement from God, “because the culmination of Advent is the happening of grace.”
“Hope was born from the womb of Mary,” he said.
A Christmas concert by students and professors of the UST Conservatory of Music followed the Mass, with Vice Rector Fr. Richard Ang, O.P. leading the lighting of the Christmas tree and the opening of Christmas lights on campus.
An Agape for the Thomasian community was held on Friday.
The Paskuhan concert will be on Dec. 20.
