Oct. 29, 2014, 2:15 p.m. – THE BLESSED Mary’s
role in the lives of the Filipino laity was emphasized in a Marian exhibit held
Oct. 27 to 29 at the Central Seminary Rector’s Hall.
With
the theme “Inang Maria: Ilaw ng Tahanan,” the exhibit, organized by the UST
Theological Society, housed more than 15 images of the Blessed Mother, as well
as Marian portraits and Marian coffeetable books, amid the ambiance of a typical
Spanish colonial era house.
In
his homily during the Mass for the launching of the exhibit last Oct. 27,
Novaliches Archbishop Emeritus Teodoro Bacani cited the Filipinos’ love for the
Blessed Mother, noting that Mary serves as the “light for the hearts of
every Filipino family.”
“Siya
ang ilaw at ang tanglaw. She lives in the hearts of each one of us,” Bacani
said.
Theological
Society President Christian Dale Dakila noted that the exhibit coincided with
the conclusion of the Year of the Laity, the month of the Holy Rosary, and the
Synod of Bishops on Family.
“We
want to have something that would conclude everything that we learned in the
Year of the Laity and since October is the month of the Holy Rosary, we
promoted the veneration to Mary, who plays a huge part in our lives,” Dakila
said. “This is also a jumpstart of our response to the Synod of Bishops on
Family.”
The
Vatican Synod of Bishops on Family, which concluded last Oct. 19, cited Mary as
a model in the “pastoral challenges of the family.”
As
part of the celebration of the Marian month, the Theological Society also
launched a “Bible Drive” that encouraged Thomasians to sponsor a bible for one
indigent Filipino family.
The
exhibit will run until today, Oct. 29. Angeli Mae S. Cantillana
