JUBILEE HOLY MASS WITH ST. THERESA’S COLLEGE
My dearest friends, beloved alumnae, and especially the Jubilarians of St. Theresa’s College (Manila), certainly you are familiar with this logo – the seal, the motto and the colors of your beloved Alma Mater. You have your vision-mission that of the Theresian spirit: Virtute scientia artibus floreat (which means Virtue, Science and Art may Flourish) and with a specific motto of Amor et Fides – Love and Loyalty. (And I do believe it holds true even up to now – look at the face of the person next to you) Isn’t it they are still lovable and loyal ….? Kindly say – You are truly lovely and loyal! ) Love and Loyalty to what is good, true and beautiful!!
St. John Paul II, in his message during the Grand Jubilee Year celebration of Christianity in the year 2000 reminded us that every Christian must have these three important attitudes in celebrating a Jubilee event. I do believe this is a strong invitation and exhortation that can also be applied to you our dearest Theresians. There are three wonderful insights that we need to hold and uphold in our lives with our celebration. First, the great Holy Father said we have to “remember the past with gratitude; second, we have to live the present with enthusiasm and third, we have to look at the future with confidence.” Yes, our dearest friends, faithful gratitude of the years past with so much unforgettable memories … loving enthusiasm of the present filled with passion to whatever we are engaged in and because we have a grateful and loving hearts we cannot but see the future with the spirit of confidence and hope!
While making a review of your school history and tracing the souvenir year books that you have made, I come across with this thought “What is the spirit that you imbibe being a Theresian?” The kind of education you got…; of what you have thought, felt and bonded, and how your lives were affected meaningfully and relevantly; in manners and ways that you are connected with the society, with the community, with family, friends, with our God and within yourselves! I will not dare to mention and to count the many famous alumnae of your respective batch (for it will take hours to mention lest we forget some good names) but what makes Theresian a real Theresian? What a tough inquiry? What a tremendous task? I hope sooner or later there can be reflections on these that will be seen and read with your emails, face books, tweeters and other social media communications. But, let me just share my simple and straight from the heart personal encounters from some of the graduates of St. Theresa’s College. Aside from they are confidently beautiful with a heart (sounds familiar – hugot lines) and with the strong influence of a revolutionary woman – St. Teresa of Avila who has a determined mind, discerning heart and hands fulfilling the dictates of the Spirit, (which are also tangible and is experienced by you with the ICM Sisters) I would just mention three short yet sincere opinions which I would not elaborate (for I will never try to debate nor argue with a Theresian – kasi mahirap manalo o kung mananalo ka!) First, Theresians have good heads. They love to learn and had a thirst for academic excellence. Second, Theresians have good hearts. They are willing to teach. They love to educate. Third, Theresians have good hands. What they have learned from their head and put in their heart, they concretely and evidently apply them in sharing their own very lives for others. (Hindi lang sila Soci, or Social) but, they are consciously involve with and in social services – different advocacies – in matter big or small. Yes, love and loyalty to what is good, true and beautiful!
And this kind and manner of living and loving – being in the service of the common good especially with those who are forgotten, the forlorn and fortuneless in our society is what truly matters … that gives meaning to a Theresian life!
Few days ago, while opening my email account, a good friend of mine has sent me a 10 minute talk on a thorough study (more than 75 years in the making) from Harvard University of what makes people happy and healthy. You know what was the result of this study? – That most of them live longer because this reality is present in this people, remain healthy and truly happy, and probably became holy. It is not the money, nor the position or profession in life, neither the prestige of being in the limelight, be a celebrity, a politician or so successful in life. The plain and simple result is this: People who have good relationships are the happiest people in the world. Take note, it is not that they have so many connections and have a lot of social gatherings and events. No! It is not the number nor the length, width and height of connectivities and activities. No! But a sincere, intimate and quality – good relationships!!! Nothing more… nothing less… nothing else… Love and Loyalty to good relationships!
My dearest friends, we are now on the Second Sunday of Lent. Our gospel focuses on the experience of the three apostles on the transfiguration of our Lord. With the presence of the Holy Spirit, the Father’s voice is heard saying, “This is my chosen one listen to him!” He is inviting us to unceasingly listen to His Son – the face of God’s mercy and compassion. It is then my hope and my prayer beloved Theresians, as we celebrate your Jubilee, this home coming, this reunion. You, coming from different walks and various phases of life – with all your experiences filled with the wisdom of life, I can hear loudly and clearly the voice of the loving Father… These are my beloved daughters – Theresians – listen to them for they have listened, encountered and experienced my love and mercy! Listen to them for they imbibed in their lives Virtue, Science and Art, and these have flourished in their lives… Listen to them for they have integrated in their lives Amor et Fides (love and loyalty) to humanity – to creation and to mother earth… love and loyalty to our country … love and loyalty to education and commitment to the field that you professed… love and loyalty to service for the common good especially the poor; love and loyalty to the family… love and loyalty to the Catholic Church…love and loyalty to the values of life – thereby living the spirit of compassion rather than comparison, of collaboration rather that competition and communion rather than division. With the guidance of Our Lady, these are the loves and loyalties that every Theresian wanted to live by, wanted to live on and wanted to die for. Beloved Theresians! may you continue to shine the light of the Transfigured Christ in your life!
To all the Ruby, Sapphire, Golden, Emerald, Diamond and Platinum Jubilarians and to every Alumna of St. Theresa’s College – Manila – A Blessed Reunion and Mabuhay!
Fr. Jose Ariel O. Tecson, RCJ (Rogationist)
Director
Rogate Images/ Caffe’ Sant’Antonio
- 8km. Aguinaldo Highway, Lalaan 2, Silang,Cavite