THE MAIN Building’s Tria Haec must not only remain as ideals but become “living virtues,” the head of the Dominican Province of the Philippines said during the closing Mass of the “ALAB 2026” retreat on Friday, March 6.
In his homily, Fr. Filemon dela Cruz, Jr., O.P. challenged Thomasians to live out faith, hope and love in carrying out their service and mission in life.
“Ito ‘yung mundo where we are challenged to live out the Tria Haec. Kapag dadalhin na natin sa mundo at sa gitna ng totoong kalagayan ng tao, naroon ang hamon. Pero doon din dapat mag-alab ang pananampalataya, ang pag-asa at ang pag-ibig,” Dela Cruz said.
Thomasians must apply the virtues in facing harsh realities, beyond the inspirational talks and spiritual reflections from the three-day retreat, the prior provincial said.
Dela Cruz said the virtues are “theological” because they have God as their object.
“We need them within us. They are given to us so we can direct our lives to God. Kaya nga, kung meron tayo on one hand, ‘yung three Cs, (competence, compassion, commitment), itong Tria Haec, ‘these three,’ consider them the ultimate three—because they encompass the whole of our life,” he said.
Offering the 17 Thomasian martyrs as an example, Dela Cruz said their lives reflected fidelity to God amid persecution and suffering.
Dela Cruz, the vice grand chancellor of the University, urged Thomasians to view the Main Building from the Arch of the Centuries and to imagine the arch as a “scope” that magnifies and focuses one’s gaze on the Tria Haec and the clock tower.
“Nagpapaalala [ito sa atin], bilang ang ating oras. Tayo ay mortal. We only have a lifetime to journey from here to God. Faith, hope, love [ay] pag-alabin [natin],” he said.
The three-day “ALAB 2026” Lenten retreat carried the theme “Pananampalataya, Pag-asa at Pag-ibig,” and was concluded by the Eucharistic celebration at the Quadricentennial Pavilion concelebrated by Rector Fr. Richard Ang, O.P., and Vice Rector Fr. Isaias Antonio Tiongco, O.P.
