IN LIGHT OF the Lenten Season, the Bedan Pastoral Ministry (BPM), led by its President Jestony Lumabi, expressed their commitment and faith in Christ through executing traditional religious activities throughout the duration of Lent. 

One of the ministry’s noteworthy initiatives was the Pabasa last April 3. Pabasa, a traditional Filipino method of narrating and reciting the life of Jesus Christ from His birth up to His ascension into heaven. It has a strong foundation in Filipino culture, which has been passed down orally through the years. Lumabi sees the Pabasa as a way to preserve this culture as Bedans portrayed the picture of Filipino faith. 

Getting a large crowd to participate in such religious activities was the main challenge for BPM. Lumabi acknowledged that people often have no time for such activities, but he believes that those who are truly pious and devoted to the faith in Jesus Christ will always find a way to participate.  

As a result, the BPM continued to host a variety of events such as the Way of the Cross, Lenten Season reflections on their Facebook page, and Siete Palabras reflections with invited students and faculty members. 

BPM also partnered with San Beda Red Lens (SBRL) and Student Council (SC) in the Koinioa: Visita Iglesia Photowalk where Bedan students visited churches under the Archdiocese of Manila, last March 29. 

The students were supervised and monitored by the organizations’ respective moderators and designated safety marshals as they participated and prayed in different churches: Abbey of Our Lady of Montserrat, National Shrine of St. Jude Thaddeus, Archdiocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Loreto, Shrine of Saint Anthony of Padua, Minor Basilica of San Sebastian, San Agustin Church, and the Manila Cathedral. 

Aside from organizing programs, Lumabi also reiterated the importance of observing Lenten practices such as confession, fasting, and abstinence. He believes that these practices instill values of being a Bedan, particularly the call to prayer and work. “Prayer and work can only be effective when humility is shown to one another,” he shared. 

BPM members are also gearing up to implement more religious activities as they invite everyone to join them in serving God and one another.  

“Serve God and serve one another. Life is more than just academics, and we are all called to serve. Let us help each other and bring each other’s needs as well,” said Lumabi as he encouraged everyone to “entrust themselves” to the Lord Jesus Christ, who can “change their perspective toward life.” 

(with Ayane Alibarbar)

Photo courtesy of San Beda Red Lens