BEARING WITNESS TO the Bedan community’s renewed faith and eco-consciousness, a Eucharistic Celebration, presided over by San Beda University’s (SBU) Rector-President, Rev. Fr. Aloysius Ma. Maranan, OSB, marked the culmination of the Pista ng Sto. Niño sa San Beda 2024 at the University Football Field last January 28.
After a solemn procession, the Bedan community came together for a euphoric Eucharistic Celebration wherein Fr. Maranan delivered a compelling homily, giving prominence to the value of faith in education—a commitment integral to the institution since its establishment.
In his homily, the Rector-President encouraged students to “seek more than entertainment” in celebrating the Feast of the Sto. Niño. He hoped that the festivities strengthened Bedans’ relationship with God and each other, fulfilling SBU’s mission to guide its people toward attaining the kingdom of God in their daily lives.
In his message, Fr. Maranan also highlighted three essential points. Firstly, he urged Bedans to grasp the essence of religious piety stating that “…what is crucial, my dear Bedans, is that in our observance of religious piety—devotion to the Sto. Niño, Black Nazarene, Blessed Mother, and all saints, they are manifestations of genuine faith in God’s love. Hopefully, our religious piety does not end in devotion…and may it bring us closer to God through the sacramental celebration of our life.”
For his second call, the Rector-President accentuated the vitality of communal love for Jesus, underlining the Bedan community’s “synodality” with each other and the entire Church, expressing, “As I tell you, the Church is not the building, not the hierarchy; the Church is us, faithful children of God through Jesus celebrating the Eucharist in faith and love.”
Lastly, Fr. Maranan stressed the imperative to care for the environment, aligning the institution and its people with Pope Francis’s Laudato Si’ initiative. Beyond caring for our common home, he emphasized holistic stewardship, saying, “Let’s protect our environment not only externally but also when our hearts are clear of sins, when there is no anger, when there is no hatred, when there is no tampuhan—when everything is made in peace and love. That’s when we truly begin to love our environment.”
The Rector-President ended the mass and the celebrations with a call for the mantra, “Ako ay Bedista, ako ay maka-Diyos, ako ay maka-tao, ako ay makabayan, at higit sa lahat, ako ay maka-kakalikasan,” which was followed by what was followed by a spectacular fireworks display illuminating the sky.
(with Dianne Radel Magallon)