18 December 2012, 10:03 p.m. – CHRISTMAS is about light and insight.
In his homily for the annual Paskuhan Mass earlier today, Rector Magnificus Fr. Herminio Dagohoy, O.P. reminded the Thomasian community that life’s challenges should be seen as opportunities, not struggles.
Christmas “serves as our light in darkness” and it is “not pananaw (view), but rather tarok ng isip (insight),” he said.
Fr. Bruno Cadoré, O.P., grand chancellor of UST and master general of the Order of Preachers, was the main celebrant, assisted by Fr. Vincent Ha Vien Lu, OP., assistant to the master general for Asia-Pacific.
“Tonight, we see this gathering not just an activity but our celebration as a Christian community,” Dagohoy said. “There is nothing more important than to have a family like UST.”
Dagohoy encouraged Thomasians to live the three basic Thomasian virtues in celebrating the season of Christmas.
“This Christmas, may we have the faith to see beyond the ordinary and hope to search and see for the meaning of things. May we have the love to find all things beautiful,” he said.
The Mass was also offered for the victims of the shooting at an elementary school in Connecticut that killed 26 people—20 of whom were young children.
The annual agape, which followed the Mass, was attended by UST Vice Chancellor Fr. Gerard Francisco P. Timoner III, O.P., Dominican priests, professors, students, and support staff.
Security chief commander Joseph Badinas, meanwhile, said 60,000 to 70,000 visitors were expected for the Paskuhan festivities on Friday. Cez Mariela Teresa G. Verzosa with reports from Reden D. Madrid
