Page 46 - The Flame

UST is ‘the mother of all schools’ - Villegas

THE THOMASIAN community together with the high-ranking officials Villegas
of the Catholic Church gathered as one in expressing their gratitude to
the Almighty Father in the Neo-centennial Eucharistic celebration held
at the UST Grandstand last January 27.
Archbishop of Cebu Jose Palma, Catholic Bishops Conference of the
Philippines (CBCP) President, was the main celebrant of the mass, while
Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas, CBCP Vice-President,
gave the homily in this celebration filled with solemnity.
In his homily, Villegas hailed the University as “the mother of all
schools” in the country as it gave birth to “countless other schools, col-
leges, universities, and seminaries in the archipelago.”
Villegas also noted that what makes UST unique among the rest
“is the food that it feeds to her children—Jesus, the bread of life.” He
added that it has produced individuals that are far different from those
produced by other educational institutions.
“While other universities produce excellent men, UST produces
other Christ,” he said.
Recognizing the University’s centuries of motherhood, Villegas add-
ed that the University “cradles in the memory of her heart not only her
renowned and famous children…[but as well as its] hidden, unrecog-
nized, and even forgotten sons and daughters buried in the tombs of
anonymity by our unthankful society.”
“This jubilee is more for them than for the glorious and successful
ones,” he said. “To you who have been ignored and rebuked, forgotten
and ridiculed, suspected and convicted, despised and hated, the arms
of UST reaches out to you, waiting to embrace you and bring you back
close to her heart, back to the heart of God.”
He also recognized UST’s “mater et magistra” (mother and teach-
er) role to the community, for like a mother to her child, “UST feeds,
clothes, and corrects. She has been doing this for the past 400 years
and she will continue to feed, to clothe, and to correct for the next 400 BONO KRIS B. DIAZ
more,” he said.
Archbishop of Manila Luis Antonio Tagle lauded the University’s Christians. You are showing to the whole world that UST is not
centuries of existence and encouraged everyone to “do his or her share only a teaching university, but is also a praying university,” he
in keeping alive this great center of learning and mission.” said, addressing the whole Thomasian community.
In his message delivered during the celebration, Rector Rolando De A commemoration of the UST Martyrs by Caceres Archbish-
La Rosa, O.P., acknowledged all those who made the University’s year- op Leonardo Legaspi, O.P., the University’s first Filipino rector,
long celebration successful. followed.
“[You made UST] a place not only for studying, but also for enjoy- The Eucharistic celebration ended with the granting of ple-
ing one’s youth, for building beautiful memories, and for living as good nary indulgence by Palma. CHRISTINE DIANE R. ALMANZOR

Palma Dela Rosa

High-ranking officials of the Catholic Church graced the Neo-centennial Eucharistic celebration of the University held last January 27 at the
UST Grandstand. Photos by CARLOS BENEDICK R. ARCAYAN and ZHEA KATRINA R. ESTRADA