03/12/2020
Happy Fiesta Ateneo!
December 3: FEAST OF ST. FRANCIS XAVIER
"Breaching Borders, Beyond Barriers"
After a little less than 10 months in quarantine – in fear of the ongoing pandemic – we have been forced to change our ways in dealing with others and inflict upon ourselves various forms of isolation to keep ourselves and our families safe from the threats of Covid-19. The previous months have not only been a test of patience, resilience, and courage, but more so, a test of faith. The pandemic has forced us to temporarily set aside our face-to-face encounters and replace it with virtual gatherings. Our ways of worship have changed. Our celebrations have been reduced into simple acts of remembering and muted jubilation. Countless special days and traditional gatherings have passed as ordinary days, challenging our culture which is much dependent on rituals.
In the past weeks, aside from the ongoing threat of the pandemic, our region has also been ravaged by a series of storms, greatly affecting our livelihood, our spirit. The challenges have brought so much fear and anxiety. Lives were lost, countless properties were damaged, and restoration is still ongoing. We have seen bout after bout of crises and calamities which, despite the ongoing challenges of communication and coordination, opened various opportunities to reach out to those who were greatly affected.
Amidst predicaments, the Bikolano spirit forges on. The Ateneo de Naga University has continuously been seeking to continue its 80-year ministry and mission. The pandemic has brought forth countless opportunities in reshaping and rethinking the way in which we deliver education, and opened doors in looking for innovative ways to foster formation and spirituality--all with the aid of technology. Through these trials, we continue to work and study with our hands clasped in prayer for strength, healing, and recovery.
In this time of pandemic, we are called to turn our gaze towards the example of our Patron Saint -- St. Francis Xavier -- whose life and example has been dedicated to mission and service. The work of Xavier’s hands serve as inspiration as we face this new normal, which is full of change and challenges. As a Missionary, he ventured to new horizons, and travelled to the peripheries to bring forth the word of God. His mission was not a walk in the park, he experienced challenges. He braved through storms and typhoons at sea. He learned to innovate and adapt in order to connect with the people he served, all in the grace of God. His hands were the hands that brought the cross to different lands, the hands that prayed fervently to calm the seas ravaged by storms, the hands that brought healing to the sick, the hands that baptized thousands of people of different races, the hands that touched and connected with the least, the last, and the lost in society. Xavier in his mission breached borders, preached and healed beyond barriers all for the greater glory of God.
As we go through this time of great turmoil and recovery, and as we commemorate St. Francis Xavier’s feast day, let us reflect on the theme “Breaching Borders, Beyond Barriers, Boundless.” Let us pray for the healing of our community and for our fellow Bikolanos who are recovering from the typhoon. In this time of pandemic, let our hands be like the hands of Xavier in mission. Let us follow his example in bringing the Gospel – and living our lives in accordance to the Gospel – to lands beyond what we can imagine. Let us use technology to breach borders, to serve beyond barriers and to rely on the boundless grace and mercy of our Dear Lord.
Happy Fiesta Ateneo!
December 3: FEAST OF ST. FRANCIS XAVIER
"Breaching Borders, Beyond Barriers"
After a little less than 10 months in quarantine – in fear of the ongoing pandemic – we have been forced to change our ways in dealing with others and inflict upon ourselves various forms of isolation to keep ourselves and our families safe from the threats of Covid-19. The previous months have not only been a test of patience, resilience, and courage, but more so, a test of faith. The pandemic has forced us to temporarily set aside our face-to-face encounters and replace it with virtual gatherings. Our ways of worship have changed. Our celebrations have been reduced into simple acts of remembering and muted jubilation. Countless special days and traditional gatherings have passed as ordinary days, challenging our culture which is much dependent on rituals.
In the past weeks, aside from the ongoing threat of the pandemic, our region has also been ravaged by a series of storms, greatly affecting our livelihood, our spirit. The challenges have brought so much fear and anxiety. Lives were lost, countless properties were damaged, and restoration is still ongoing. We have seen bout after bout of crises and calamities which, despite the ongoing challenges of communication and coordination, opened various opportunities to reach out to those who were greatly affected.
Amidst predicaments, the Bikolano spirit forges on. The Ateneo de Naga University has continuously been seeking to continue its 80-year ministry and mission. The pandemic has brought forth countless opportunities in reshaping and rethinking the way in which we deliver education, and opened doors in looking for innovative ways to foster formation and spirituality--all with the aid of technology. Through these trials, we continue to work and study with our hands clasped in prayer for strength, healing, and recovery.
In this time of pandemic, we are called to turn our gaze towards the example of our Patron Saint -- St. Francis Xavier -- whose life and example has been dedicated to mission and service. The work of Xavier’s hands serve as inspiration as we face this new normal, which is full of change and challenges. As a Missionary, he ventured to new horizons, and travelled to the peripheries to bring forth the word of God. His mission was not a walk in the park, he experienced challenges. He braved through storms and typhoons at sea. He learned to innovate and adapt in order to connect with the people he served, all in the grace of God. His hands were the hands that brought the cross to different lands, the hands that prayed fervently to calm the seas ravaged by storms, the hands that brought healing to the sick, the hands that baptized thousands of people of different races, the hands that touched and connected with the least, the last, and the lost in society. Xavier in his mission breached borders, preached and healed beyond barriers all for the greater glory of God.
As we go through this time of great turmoil and recovery, and as we commemorate St. Francis Xavier’s feast day, let us reflect on the theme “Breaching Borders, Beyond Barriers, Boundless.” Let us pray for the healing of our community and for our fellow Bikolanos who are recovering from the typhoon. In this time of pandemic, let our hands be like the hands of Xavier in mission. Let us follow his example in bringing the Gospel – and living our lives in accordance to the Gospel – to lands beyond what we can imagine. Let us use technology to breach borders, to serve beyond barriers and to rely on the boundless grace and mercy of our Dear Lord.
