Oct. 30, 2014, 10:45 a.m. – A FIRM but compassionate
man, Fr. Frederik Fermin, O.P.—the second Filipino rector of the University
of Santo Tomas—nurtured countless individuals as an epitome of a
“true servant of Christ.”
In his homily during the funeral mass for Fermin at the Santisimo
Rosario Parish Church this afternoon, UST Rector Fr. Herminio Dagohoy, O.P.,
praised his predecessor for exemplary service to the University.
“Fr. Fermin’s contributions in the academic section of the
University expressed his ideals of a well-rounded education for the
Thomasians,” Dagohoy said.
Fermin, who served as UST rector from 1978 to 1982, was a
man who had a sense of justice tempered by compassion and generosity, Dagohoy
added.
According to Fr. Rodel Aligan, O.P., dean of the Faculty of
Sacred Theology and Fermin’s former assistant in the Central Seminary, the
naturalized Filipino friar was known for his wisdom during his tenure.
Piedad Guinto-Rosales, assistant dean of the Faculty of Arts
and Letters during Fermin’s term as dean, described Fermin as a straightforward
yet gentle man. “He was respected by his students because he knew how to listen
to them,” Rosales said.
Fermin, who hailed from Nijmegen, the Netherlands, came to
the Philippines in 1962 and became a Filipino citizen through naturalization in
1976.
Fermin succeeded Fr. Leonardo Legaspi, O.P., the first
Filipino rector of UST who became auxiliary bishop of Manila and archbishop of
Caceres (Naga).
Prior to the funeral Mass, necrological prayers led by UST
Secretary General Fr. Winston Cabading, O.P. were also offered for Fermin. This
was followed by the blessing of the cremated remains in front of the Santisimo
Rosario Parish, and the singing of the Salve Regina.
The cremated remains of Fermin were placed at the Sanctuario
de Santo Domingo in Quezon City.
The funeral mass was concelebrated by Dumaguete Bishop Julio
Cortes and Fr. Gerard Francisco Timoner, III, O.P., UST vice chancellor and
newly appointed member of the Theological Commission, as well as other
Dominican priests. Marie Danielle L. Macalino
