Vice Rector for Religious Affairs Fr. Pablo Tiong, O.P. reminded the UST community of the essence of family as a Christian value during the Mass for all departed Thomasians at the Santisimo Rosario Parish last Nov. 8.
“Family value is both a natural and a Christian value. [T]he reason why [i]sinasali natin ang ating mga yumaong minamahal sa buhay [sa ating panalangin] is because, in the will of God, we should be together,” Tiong said in his homily.
(Family value is both a natural and a Christian value. [T]he reason we include in our prayers our departed loved ones is because, in the will of God, we should be together.)
Tiong also called on the faithful to pray for deceased souls in their ascension into heaven.
“When Jesus tells us to love one another, it is that love by which he commands us to pray for one another. The love of God is not cut off by death because by His mercy, grace, compassion and forgiveness of God, our departed loved ones may be in heaven,” Tiong said.
The vice rector also echoed the story of how St. Lorenzo Ruiz and his companion martyrs gave up their lives because of their Christian faith.
Every 8th of November, the Dominican Order offers Mass for deceased administrators, faculty members, support staff, alumni and students, as well as departed family members of Thomasians.
