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by Philipina A. Marcelo
As in the previous years, Christmas festivities at USTe or "Paskuhan" commenced with the celebration of the Holy Mass,
Day 1 of "Misa de Gallo" or "Simbang Gabi" puts
God first, and in the center, of a Thomasian's
Christmas celebration.officiated by the Rector of the University himself, on the evening of the 15th of December. The Mass marked the beginning of the nine-day preparation, or Misa de Gallo (Midnight Mass or "Simbang Gabi"), for the Christian world's celebration of the birth of its King on Christmas Day. The whole University then shared a sumptuous meal in a feast amidst the pretty glitters of colorful lights that befit the cheers of celebrating the glorious birth of the King of Kings! The celebration continued on the next day with a Christmas concert, gift-giving to Thomasian beneficiaries, alumni Christmas reunions, and fun raffle draws... and it culminated
Christmas merrymaking with
Thomasian family and friends.through one of the most anticipated events that every year brought the Thomasian community together... and with the multitude of Thomasian friends and family, too. The merrymaking skyrocketed to a great climax via the awe-inducing fireworks that sent Thomasian cheers to the heavens above! It was a truly joyful way of sharing the message of Christmas - togetherness... one in faith and in love - as the University sends off its students and employees to a Christmas break, and be together with their loved ones on Christmas day.
Ah, all the truly joyous traditions in our beloved Royal and Pontifical University... our one and only USTe - incredibly heartwarming!
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Thomasian Christmas Message
To my Thomasian family and friends, please allow me to share with you this Christmas message from the Rector of the University of Santo Tomas:
Four hundred years ago,
Miguel de Benavides
Looked at everything he had:
a few books, worn-out
clothes, and a few hundred pesos -
his savings of a lifetime.
Benavides scooped everything he had
And laid it at the feet of his fellow Dominicans.
"Here is everything I have,
I give them all up."
He would never have thought that his little act of generosity
Would have given birth to the University of Santo Tomas.
He would never have thought that for the first time in his life,
He would experience real Christmas.
He saw the reason why God chose to be born poor,
To remain poor, and die poor.
Christmas is God's way of telling us:
A poor person is not the one who has nothing,
But the one who is not afraid to lose everything.
and
Real strength is not measured by our ability
To cling to something or to someone;
But by our ability to cling no more.
May we, like Benavides,
Learn to say: "Dear Lord, gently snip
The ropes that bind me
to possessiveness, fear, and anxiety.
Free me, cut me loose, and let me break through
To experience for the first time, real freedom."
A BLESSED CHRISTMAS TO YOU AND YOUR LOVED ONES!
Fr. Rolando V. dela Rosa, O.P.
Rector
University of Santo Tomas
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We offer prayers for the victims of flash floods in Southern Philippines. Our thoughts are with the suffering families. Those who would like to send support, donations could be sent through the following:
ABS-CBN Foundation, Inc.
GMA7 Kapuso Foundation
Gawad Kalinga
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