UNIVERSITY RECTOR-PRESIDENT Rev. Fr. Aloysius Ma. A. Maranan, OSB, urged the College of Arts and Sciences’ (CAS) Graduating Class of 2025 to live out the light of Benedictine education by seeing the good and glorifying God.

During his homily at the Graduation Mass for the 2025 CAS Commencement Exercises held at the SMX Convention Center on July 14, the Rector-President drew inspiration from the teachings of St. Benedict and the Scriptures as he reminded graduates to “live as the light of the world.”

“The expression light in the Lord comes from Saint Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. For you were once darkness, but now you are light of the Lord. Live as children of light. We are not called to be light by ourselves, but be light in the Lord for others,” Rev. Fr. Maranan shared.

He furthered on the message as he characterized how the Benedictine education instills the graduating Bedans with a holistic and transformative guidance that fosters a kind of light that the Lord seeks to radiate across the world — one that shines out of individual gains.

“Your Bedan education has given you a bright light…Our light must lead other people to see goodness and to give glory to God,” he said.

The eucharistic celebration, along with Rev. Fr. Maranan was joined by the clergy from the Order of Saint Benedict (OSB), namely Rt. Rev. Abbot Austin P. Cadiz, OSB, Rev. Fr. John Paul Plana, OSB, Rev. Fr. Martin Mary Aleman, OSB, Rev. Fr. Patrick Ma. V. Aldea, OSB, and Rev. Fr. Vicente A. Robles from Sto. Niño Parish, Calumpit, Bulacan. 

Yesterday, a total of 496 CAS graduates gathered to celebrate the milestone of their academic journey, as they were also reminded to answer their greater calling to nurture a heart of service as they now navigate their fate beyond University walls.