On December 2, 2019, the 探花精选 formally opened its annual Christmas celebration, Paskuhan, with the Concelebrated Mass led by the Rector, the Very Rev. fr. Herminio V. Dagohoy, O.P., PhD.
The blessing of insufficiency
In his homily, fr. Dagohoy called on Thomasians to remember that during the season of Advent, we can find inspiration in trying to live 鈥渟imilar to the remnants of Israel, waiting in expectation for the great promise of God.鈥� Advent, a season of penitence, too, does not only mean a time of sadness, for it is a chance to hope, to anticipate, and to be joyful.
It is being in experiencing insufficiency, the Rector said, that we can recognize our need for God. The Rector challenged the community to reflect over the last year and to see how far or how near they are from the Lord. 鈥淕aano na ba tayo lumayo sa Diyos? Kung masyado na tayong malayo, hindi na natin Siya makikilala,鈥� the Rector said, inviting Thomasians to walk down that path again to come closer to God.
The sure sign of God鈥檚 grace and love
鈥淭he birth of Jesus is the sure sign of God鈥檚 love for us,鈥� fr. Dagohoy said. The significance of Christmas, according to the Rector, can be found in how God focuses solely on His children during this time: 鈥淪a Pasko, tinitingnan tayo ng Diyos, at sinasabi niya: 鈥楢ng Pasko, para sa iyo ito.鈥欌��
Thank you for being a wonderful community
fr. Dagohoy, who has served as Rector since 2012, also took the chance to express his gratitude to the UST family, 鈥渇or being a wonderful community, and we thank God for all the blessing we have received over the last seven years,鈥� as he touched on the importance of remembrance in Advent.
The Rector likewise expressed hope in 鈥渁nticipating the blessings for our University for the next four or eight years,鈥� referring to the duration of a Rector鈥檚 leadership (four years per term, allowable up to two straight terms).
The Paskuhan Mass signals the start of the month-long celebration of Christmas in UST, which includes, among others, a Christmas Concert, the lighting of the Christmas decorations, the traditional Agape, and the Paskuhan Concert on December 20.
