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by Philipina A. Marcelo
One of the things that can be considered unique about the Royal and Pontifical University of Santo Tomas (UST), the Catholic University of the Philippines, is the celebration of the Baccalaureate Mass for its Graduates. It is unique not only because it is an endearing tradition of giving thanks to God, first and foremost, for another year of goals fulfilled, dreams realized and love manifested, but also because it is a celebration of friendships - old and new - friendships that are destined to last a lifetime... because they were forged with the fire of God's boundless love... and unending grace!
Therefore, not even sickness could prevent me from joining the celebration....
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| A Day of Thanksgiving... giving thanks to God. |
For most Thomasian educators, the Baccalaureate Mass is something to look forward to. It's always a wonderful experience to be joining our Graduates as they sang praises to our Almighty God, whose nurturing love propelled them to seeing their dreams and their parents' aspirations for them fulfilled, in their Baccalaureate Mass.
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| A celebration of goals fulfilled... dreams realized. |
To me, it is unthinkable not to be able to celebrate the friendship and the Thomasian bond that unite them and us, their mentors... even more so today, as all hurdles are cleared, and they embark to realize the promise of a vision - a vision of faith, hope and love - on to a path illuminated by the Cross atop our Main Building - the symbol of the Catholic mission of our Thomasian University. The meaningful tradition of accompanying them march from the Grandstand to the Benavides Park, and pass through under the Arch of the Centuries, where they entered as Freshmen five years ago to begin the journey of becoming Thomasians, is priceless! It's an exhilarating feeling to be there, as they end that journey, and begin a new one... this time, as full-pledge Thomasians - touched by the charism of the Holy Spirit, and bearing the Dominican Cross that defines their Thomasian mission and identity.
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| Gratitude, friendship, family ties... a celebration of the Thomasian bond! |
And as one Thomasian family, we raised our voices to heaven... we praised God for this day, a day of joyful celebration... we thank God for His unending grace!
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| And we're once again left with just the memories... very good ones... ...and they will light up our sky when darkness comes. |
Congratulations, Batch 2012 - my dear Neocentennial Batch! I wish you well! And... I will miss you, guys - totally! Out there in the 'real world', don't forget 'the way home'... if it's 'dark', and you're feeling 'lost', just look up and look for the blue cross - that's where 'home' is.
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