SUFFERING could be transformed into a blessing with the power to inspire others, Thomasians were told during the final Triduum Mass in honor of the 17 Thomasian martyrs at the UST Santisimo Rosario Parish Church on Wednesday, Nov. 6.
In his homily, Faculty of Pharmacy Regent Fr. Hilario Siñgian Jr., O.P. urged Thomasians to ask for the intercession of the Thomasian martyrs in times of suffering.
“It’s (intercession) how to turn suffering into a blessing. How can we make good use of our sufferings to help us grow spiritually, to bring us closer to God, and allow us to participate in the mission of the church to save humanity?” Siñgian said.
Siñgian said that for suffering to be turned into a blessing, one can use it to redeem oneself and others.
“We can use it as a powerful witnessing to inspire others and we can do that by continuing to do good even while suffering,” he said. “Continue being kind, being patient, understanding, and forgiving.”
He pointed to the passion of Christ as representing how suffering could be turned into a blessing.
“Jesus gave meaning to suffering to show us how much He really loved us and how deep His love is for us,” he said.
The 17 Thomasian martyrs, including 12 Dominican priests, two Dominican bishops, and one Franciscan priest, were administrators, professors, and students of the University.
The seven martyrs of the Spanish Civil War are Blessed Buenaventura Garcia Paredes, O.P., Blessed Jesus Villaverde Andres, O.P., Blessed Maximo Fernandez Marinas, O.P., Blessed Pedro Ibanez Alonzo, O.P., Blessed Manuel Moreno Martinez, O.P., Blessed Jose Maria Carillo, O.P., and Blessed Jose Maria de Manila, O.F.M. Cap.
Meanwhile, St. Vicente Liem de la Paz, O.P., St. Domingo Henares, O.P., St. Pedro Almato, O.P., St. Jeronimo Hermosilla, O.P., and St. Jose Maria Diaz Sanjurjo, O.P. comprise the martyrs of Vietnam.
The six martyrs of Nagasaki, Japan are St. Domingo Ibanez de Erquicia, O.P., St. Lucas del Espiritu Santo, O.P., St. Tomas Hioji Rokuzayemon Nishi de Jacinto, O.P., St. Guillaume Courtet, O.P. and St. Antonio Gonzales, O.P. With reports from Vince Alfred M. Pillagara
