A BISHOP urged Thomasians to embrace “unselfing” or the process of self-negation and discovering something or someone greater than themselves, in Friday’s Misa de Apertura or the Mass opening the new academic year.
Bishop Cerilo Casicas of the Diocese of Marbel in South Cotabato said this unselfing process is the functioning principle of the Holy Spirit.
“May the Spirit make us accept the things we cannot bear…May the spirit make us witnesses by making us ‘unself’ and expropriate ourselves,” he said in his homily during the “Red Mass.”
The bishop encouraged Thomasians to welcome the Holy Spirit into their lives and fulfill the University’s motto, “Veritas in Caritate,” to fully embrace UST’s Catholic identity.
“The greatest gift of the Spirit is to lead us into that truth,” he said.
The Misa de Apertura is the customary Eucharistic celebration marking the start of a new academic year.
The Mass was concelebrated by UST Rector Fr. Richard Ang, O.P., UST Vice Chancellor Fr. Filemon de la Cruz, O.P., and other Dominican fathers.
The academic procession at the beginning of the rite was joined by deans, institute directors, and school principals.
The Mass was followed by the Discurso de Apertura or inaugural lecture, which was delivered by Professor Emerita Maribel Nonato, the assistant to the Rector for UST General Santos. M.A.B. Cardinez
