With the theme ‘One Heart, One Commitment, One life,’ this year’s Lasallian Mission Week (LMW) aimed to increase faith and cast light on the value of vocation.
The week-long celebration was spearheaded by the Office of the Vice President for Lasallian Mission (VPLM) through the University Mission Committee composed of representatives from different colleges, offices, and other units of the University.
Tercentenary kickoff
Aside from celebrating the annual LMW, the commemoration leading to the 300th anniversary of the death of St. John Baptist de La Salle in 2019 was launched last November 5 with an opening mass and veneration of St. La Salle’s relic led by Most Rev. Gabriele Giordano Caccia, Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines.
A glimpse into the life of St. La Salle and the vocation of the Brothers who followed in his footsteps was provided by DLSU President Br. Raymundo Suplido FSC in his address preceding the relic veneration. The commencement of the milestone formally opened its celebration in the University, towards over a year’s worth of celebrations of the Lasallian Tercentenary, which according to De La Salle Philippines President Br. Armin Luistro FSC in his letter, was proposed to last from January 1, 2019 to May 15, 2020.
DLSU-PUSA Activities
As members of the Lasallian community, DLSU cats also experienced and enjoyed the activities prepared for them.
The DLSU Professors for the Upliftment of Society’s Animals (DLSU-PUSA) also held a wide range of cat-related events. In partnership with Compassion and Responsibility for Animals Welfare Philippines, they initiated a Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) event last November 6 where 30 cats were collected from around the campus and surrounding areas and neutered and returned the following week.
As explained by Laureen Velasco, one of the core members of DLSU-PUSA and a professor from the Philosophy Department, the purpose of TNR is to manage the cat population in communities. In addition, she mentioned that this is in line with the organization’s social engagement and community service.
Last November 7, they also held a cat campus tour in which 20 people from all over Metro Manila were invited on campus to see all the territories the cats reside in. As part of the event, Archer, the mascot of DLSU-PUSA, was given a bath for the first time.
DLSU-PUSA also maintained a booth throughout the week which sold merchandise such as stickers, t-shirts, and pet supplies.
Call to faith
Students and personnel of the University were welcomed into the Brothers’ Community on the fourth floor of St. La Salle Hall for the Brothers’ Open House last November 7 and 8.
Beginning with an introduction inside the 1911 TV Room, which showed the participants a video featuring Lasallian Brothers recounting their experiences during their formation and while living in the Community, the tour took those present around the residential with stops at the 1911 Chapel, 1911 Library, one of the brothers’ rooms, the hallway in the north wing, the Host Chapel, and the Dormitory, in each of which the audience was taught about a stage in the process of becoming a La Salle Brother.
The guide posted in the last station opened sign-ups for those interested in experiencing the Brothers’ Live-in Program, in which participants are allowed to live with the Brothers for five days, dubbed as the “first step” in the way to joining the congregation.
Br. Angelo Dominic Paragas FSC, former Director of the Vocations Ministry Office of De La Salle Brothers Philippines, expressed how the Brothers are hoping the Open House would allow the Lasallian community to get to know them better in order to foster better relationships with the DLSU community.
Also hoping for his Community to grow, Br. Paragas added, “Sana makaka-recruit tayo ng magba-Brother.” Recounting what led him to the religious life, he commented that discovering one’s vocation becomes easier through activities like the Open House.
(Hopefully, we can recruit people to become Brothers.)
Meanwhile, the Lasallian Pastoral Office (LSPO) organized the celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation last November 7 for 28 candidates: students from DLSU Senior High School, undergraduate and graduate programs, and University alumni.
According to LSPO Director James Laxa, “Sana itong mga newly confirmed Lasallians natin would be active in their faith, [such that] they would attend the services more often, volunteer [in the] Pastoral Office or even [for] COSCA (Center for Social Concern and Action), volunteer in the social engagement plans of the University, or do something on their own that would help people–people who are in need.”
Despite the turnout for confirmation being relatively high this year, Laxa admitted that he, as well as the celebrant, Msgr. Jose Clemente Ignacio, wanted more Lasallians to receive the Sacrament. He surmised that given the University’s high population, there is a high chance a significant number of students and adults have not yet been confirmed.
Vocation campaign
The Theology and Religious Education Department conducted a two-day Vocation Campaign in the Lobby of the Henry Sy Sr. Hall (HSSH) and around the campus last November 8 to 9. The fair featured different religious congregations, all represented by their respective members. The event had the guests campaign room to room, narrating their experience on what led them to the consecrated life.
In the HSSH Lobby, the religious orders set up booths where they welcomed students who wanted to interact with them. Mylene Icamina-Maravilla, TREDFOR Assistant Coordinator and one of the organizers, pointed out that this was what made the LMW Vocation Campaign distinct from the termly campaign.
There were 18 congregations present for at least one day, including the Carmelite Missionary Sisters of St. Therese of the Child Jesus and the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin.
