Benilde - Center for Lasallian Ministry

30/10/2026

Love remembers. Faith hopes. Prayer connects us.

As we visit the graves of our beloved faithful departed this November 1 and 2, the Center for Lasallian Ministry shares the Family Prayer for the Faithful Departed. (You may print them back-to-back and fold.)

May we remember that death does not have the final word. In Christ, we hold on to the promise of the Resurrection, trusting that those who have gone before us remain in the loving mercy of God.

From November 1–8, the Church grants the opportunity to obtain a plenary indulgence for the souls in Purgatory by visiting a cemetery and praying for the departed. On November 2, a plenary indulgence may also be obtained by visiting a church and praying the Our Father and the Creed for the faithful departed.

To receive a plenary indulgence, the prescribed conditions must also be fulfilled: sacramental confession, Holy Communion, prayer for the intentions of the Holy Father, and complete detachment from sin.

This All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day, let us do more than remember. Let us pray. Offer a prayer, celebrate the Eucharist, visit the resting places of your loved ones, and entrust them to God’s infinite mercy.

As Lasallians, may we continue to see in every life a sacred gift and in every act of remembrance an expression of love. For even when death separates us physically, the love of God and the hope of the Resurrection keep us united in Christ.

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen.

29/10/2026

Bukas Na Lang, Rest Day Ako

In today’s gospel from Luke (14:1-6), we see Jesus perform what His host viewed as a clear violation of the Law. Sitting at the table of a leading Pharisee, Jesus locked eyes with a man suffering from dropsy, which is known today as severe edema.

Edema is fluid trapped within the body's tissues. It locks up joints, turns simple movements like making a fist or taking a step into painful chores, and creates a dull, persistent throb that worsens with every passing hour.

The Pharisees watched Jesus closely to see if He would cure him on the Sabbath. In their rabbinic tradition, the law of Pikuach Nefesh permitted breaking the Sabbath rest only to save a life in immediate danger. Because dropsy was a chronic condition rather than a fatal emergency, traditional rules dictated that the man’s healing should wait for another day.

"Should wait for another day." This very phrase cuts to the heart of my reflection.

Jesus challenged their human traditions with two direct questions: "Is it lawful to cure on the Sabbath or not?" "Who among you, if your son or ox falls into a cistern, would not immediately pull him out on the Sabbath day?"

By comparing a suffering human being to an ox in a pit, Jesus exposed their hypocrisy. He asked them: If a brother's or sister's suffering isn't fatal, are we really content to make them wait for relief simply because the clock says it is a day of rest?

This is a piercing question for us today. As Benildean associates, faculty members, and administrators, does our shared Lasallian mission take a pause on our days off?

When a brother or sister in Christ reaches out in burden or pain, should immediate relief wait for the next official working day? Mercy, as Jesus showed us, does not keep office hours.

Let us pray…

Dear God, our Father in heaven, we thank You for the life You give us every day. We are humbled by how You deliver us from the pits of life, regardless of whether on a regular day or a day of rest. You constantly show us the standard of love we must emulate for our brothers and sisters. Please, help us to be the vessel of Your compassion, kindness, and deliverance for our fellow. It is through You and Your grace that we experience the fullness of life. Use us as Your humble instruments to reflect Your goodness to others. Amen.

__________________________
Reflection from John Albert Ortiz
Head, Kapitbahayan Partnership Development Unit
Center for Social Action

References:
https://medlineplus.gov/edema.html
https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/saving-a-life-pikuach-nefesh/ #:~:text=emphasizes%20this%20principle%20by%20citing%20the%20verse,in%20danger%20takes%20precedence%20over%20the%20Sabbath

29/10/2026

Profoundly gearing towards the 19th… Do you have the courage to follow the Lord?

02.17-20.2027

28/10/2026

Ordinary Things, Extraordinary Love.

Today, October 29, we celebrate the Canonization Anniversary of Saint Benilde Romançon, whose quiet fidelity to God and dedication to education remind us that holiness is lived through everyday acts of service.

Let us therefore gather in a Thanksgiving Mass at the Design+Arts Theater, 5F, D+A Campus at 1:00 PM to be presided over by Most Rev. Honesto Ongtioco, D.D., Bishop-Emeritus of Cubao.

As we honor our Benildean Associates receiving their Service Awards, may we recognize that every year of service represents countless moments of touching hearts, forming lives, and carrying forward the Lasallian Mission.

On October 29, 1967, Saint Benilde Romançon was raised to the altar of saints, making him the first De La Salle Brother to be declared such.

As we continue celebrating the Benilde Mission Week 2026, may Saint Benilde inspire us to make our work a mission, our service an expression of faith, and our lives a gift to others.

Congratulations to our service awardees! May we continue reclaiming humanity through Lasallian education, one act of love at a time.

Live, Jesus, in our hearts forever!

28/10/2026

Courage, Compassion, and Faithfulness: Living the Lasallian Mission

“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord” – Luke 13:35

In today’s gospel from Luke (13:31-35), Jesus shows courage and determination as He continues His mission despite the threats directed towards Him. His words also reveal His great love for Jerusalem, a people He longs to gather and protect. Yet, despite His love, many refuse to welcome Him.

As we reflect on this gospel, we are reminded that genuine leadership requires courage, compassion, and faithfulness to our mission, especially in the midst of difficulties and rejection. Like Jesus, we are called to remain steadfast in doing what is right and to care for those entrusted to us, no matter how difficult the circumstances are.

October 29 also marks the anniversary of the canonization of Saint Benilde Romançon, our Patron and inspiration at De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde. Saint Benilde dedicated his life to educating young people, especially those who needed greater opportunities to learn and grow. His quiet perseverance reminds us that meaningful change often comes through simple, faithful acts of service by doing ordinary things extraordinarily well.

May the example of Jesus and the witness of Saint Benilde inspire us to remain faithful to our Lasallian mission. Let us work towards creating communities where every learner feels welcomed, protected, and valued. May we continue to see education as a mission of love, especially for those who need it most.

Let us pray…

Loving Father, grant us the courage of Jesus to remain faithful to our mission. Through the example of Saint Benilde, inspire us to serve through education. May we build a Lasallian community where every person feels valued and loved. We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

_______________________
Reflection from Michael Ong
Principal, Benilde Senior High School

27/10/2026

The Unpopular Choice

Today, we celebrate the Feast of Saints Simon and Jude, Apostles of the Lord. Little is known of these Two Apostles. Their appearance in the New Testament is very limited. To many of us, Saint Jude is known only as the Patron of Hopeless Causes, who has a church near Malacañang where people go before exams. The letter in the New Testament attributed to him is only 24-verse long and is barely read in the Church’s liturgy. Much less is known about Saint Simon. Aside from his nickname, “the Zealot,” or “the Canaanite,” not much is said about him.

Yet, there is one important lesson these two apostles are teaching us: popularity and fidelity are two different things. The world may not have known much about them, but they are known by Jesus because he chose them. And his choice is intentional, as we read in today’s gospel from Luke (6:12-16). He prayed about it for the night. Jesus knew them and chose them, and that is enough for them to remain faithful until the very end.

In our own lives, most of the work we do is done in secret. Many of our efforts and sacrifices are often left unrecognized and unrewarded. But I believe that is a deeper mark of faithfulness. Jesus chose us all. And whenever we keep doing our best in fulfilling what Jesus chose for us, making the ordinary extraordinary – even though we know that nobody is going to see them and no credit will be given to us. In the words of a priest: sapat na ang titig ng Diyos.

In a world where everything is measured by what is visible, let us become hidden. Not because we hate the world outside, but because Jesus’ gaze is enough for us. After all, “Nothing is covered up that will not be uncovered and nothing secret that will not become known.” (Luke 12:2)

Let us pray…

Lord Jesus, You chose Saints Simon and Jude to be Your Apostles. You chose me as well to be part of Your work here on earth. Teach me holiness in hiddenness. Teach me to be faithful to You even without the recognition of others. Teach me to be dedicated to the work You entrusted to me, even though most of the time, I am unnoticed and unrewarded. Teach me that Your gaze is enough because it is You who chose me. Amen.

__________________________________
Reflection from Johann Emmanuel Javier
Campus Minister, Worship Unit
Center for Lasallian Ministry

27/10/2026

Benildeans, you came to visit, but you left us with something far greater: a reminder that our mission matters.

To every Benildean who visited our CLM Offices in Taft, DAC, Atrium and AKIC during the Benilde Mission Week Open House, thank you for sharing how the Center for Lasallian Ministry has accompanied you in your Lasallian journey and for offering your prayers for us, your Lasallian Ministers.

Your words remind us that every encounter, every listening ear, and every act of accompaniment can plant seeds of grace that continue to grow beyond what we see.

You have reminded us why we do what we do: to touch hearts, walk alongside one another, and make God’s presence felt.

May we continue journeying together in faith, zeal, and communion in mission, always remembering: Lord, the work is Yours!

Live, Jesus, in our hearts forever!

26/10/2026

Small Beginnings, Great Transformations

In life, we often look for big signs of God’s love. We do our best to show the world the depth of our faith and how we work toward our own transformation in the spirit of Christianity. When we pray, we typically look for dramatic shifts or big leaps in our lives as proof of God’s providence and answers to our prayers.

However, in today’s gospel from Luke (13:18–21), it tells us that the Kingdom of God starts as small as a mustard seed inside our hearts. When tended with care, faith, and practice, it grows to allow us to welcome people of all faiths, walks of life, and social classes. The gospel uses the metaphor of the birds of the sky seeking shelter in its branches to symbolize refuge and peace. This means that even while we are still here on Earth, we can experience the Kingdom of God and share that experience with others by opening our arms to help, support, and love our neighbors.

At the same time, God works in silence. The second metaphor in the gospel uses the power of yeast to showcase how God works in our lives. Normally, when we ask for something, we want it immediately; we grow impatient and persistently pray for a quick answer. Oftentimes, we want it right now. But God tells us: wait, for it will come. There are instances when our prayers do come true, but there are also times when they don't. Instead of focusing on what we did not receive, we should shift our perspective to asking what God was protecting us from. Perhaps our prayers were not granted not because God thought we didn't deserve them, but rather because we deserve something better. Ultimately, God works like yeast: in small, unnoticed ways, but the overall transformation is undeniable, whether we recognize it immediately or not.

Together, the parables of the mustard seed and the yeast offer a profound framework for how the Kingdom of God takes root in our lives. While the mustard seed calls us to let our personal faith grow outward into visible acts of refuge, love, and radical welcome, the yeast reminds us that God’s most meaningful work often happens invisibly from within. The Kingdom does not arrive through dramatic, instant displays, but through patient, silent, and steady transformation. By embracing both the outer reach of the seed and the inner work of the yeast, we learn to trust God’s quiet timing, confident that every small act of faith and every unanswered prayer is shaping a life and community rich in purpose, grace, and love.

Let us pray…

Heavenly Father, we thank You for the subtle yet powerful ways You move in our lives. We ask that you teach us to cherish the small beginnings of faith and to trust Your quiet, invisible work within our hearts. Please grant us the patience to await Your perfect timing, knowing that Your grace is always leavening our lives from within. May our faith grow like the mustard tree, offering a sanctuary of love, warmth, and compassion to everyone we meet. We place our hopes, our patience, and our prayers in Your hands.

And with the faith we have, we continue to pray, The Serenity Prayer:

God, grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change
the courage to change the things I can
and the wisdom to know the difference. Amen.

___________________________
Reflection from Mariel A. Atienza
Faculty, Benilde Senior High School

References:
Vatican News. (2026, October 27). Gospel and Word of the Day - 27 October 2026. https://www.vaticannews.va/en/word-of-the-day/2026/10/27.html
The Serenity Prayer - Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. (2019). In Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. https://www.archspm.org/the-serenity-prayer/

26/10/2026

26/10/2026

From AKO to TAYO

What if caring for our common home begins with a simple shift from AKO to TAYO?

This October 28, Wednesday, in celebration of the Benilde Mission Week 2026, we invite you to pause, reflect, and rediscover our Lasallian connectedness with one another and with creation.

Come and join “From AKO to TAYO: Kapwa and the Lasallian Connectedness,” a rECOllection on the Care for our Common Home.

Let us step away from our usual routines and make space to listen, reflect, and ask:

What is my place in this common home?
What have I received?
And what are we being called to care for together?

From AKO to TAYO, may this afternoon lead us from awareness to responsibility, from self to kapwa, and from individual concern to communion in caring for our common home.

Come. Pause. Reflect. Reconnect.
From AKO, let us rediscover TAYO.