Archbishop Legaspi remembers Thomasians past in Thanksgiving Mass

Jan. 25, 9:18 p.m. – UST WOULD not have been what it is today without the accomplishments of its alumni, Caceres Archbishop Leonardo Legaspi, O.P., reminded Thomasians in the ‘Neo-Centennial’ Thanksgiving Mass this afternoon at Plaza Mayor.

“The quality of lives and experiences of our deceased alumni place each and every one of us in debt,” said Legaspi, the first Filipino to become rector of UST.

Legaspi however lamented that there are many people “who call themselves Catholics in high positions,” but simply throw out the Church’s teachings on the sanctity of marriage and life.

Amid the confusion, Thomasians should always look up to the “Tria Haec” of the Main Building to be enlightened.

“The Tria Haec symbolizes the foundation of the Thomasian faith: hope, faith, and love,” he said.

“We must lead the truth in freedom and love, and may the soul of our departed Thomasians rest in peace.”

Legaspi also said Thomasians should be inspired by the extraordinary life and faith of Blessed John Paul II, who visited the Pontifical University twice.

“Through Pope John Paul, love of the Lord unlocks the spirit [with] whatever is true, honourable, just, and gracious,” he said.

Meanwhile, UST paid tribute to the “oldest living Thomasian alumnus,” Dr. Jose Javier, who is now 102 years old.

Javier is older than the late Amadea Medina, proclaimed the “oldest living alumna” at 99 years old during the Quadricentennial celebration last year.

Javier gave a message to the Thomasian community through daughter Lulu Brilliantes, who thanked the administration and faculty for imparting their skills and knowledge to UST students.

Javier recalled the University’s years as a internment camp during World War 2. He said that when he graduated from UST Medicine in 1934, there were 141 of them; in 1954, during a reunion, only 22 were alive.

“To outlive life is not a personal achievement but a care from God, and having survived the concentration camp amid the disease is a grace from Him,” Javier said in the message read by Brillantes. Brylle B. Tabora