The Secretary of the Dicastery for Culture and Education His Excellency Most Rev. Giovanni Cesare Pagazzi, D.D., Titular Archbishop of Belcastro, graced the University of Santo Tomas campus on January 28, 2025. His visit coincided with the feast day of St. Thomas Aquinas, and he led a Eucharistic Celebration at the Santísimo Rosario Parish Church (UST Chapel) for the said solemnity as well as the 88th alumni homecoming of the UST Alumni Lay Priests Association (ALPA).
In his homily, he likened wisdom to light and urged Thomasians to be a light for the world: “May the intercession of St. Thomas Aquinas whom we are all devoted… make us discreet like the light, discreet like Christ.”
orm and color of the world to appear. It allows each thing to be itself, distinguished from everything else. The light desires things to be and to reveal their beauty,” explained the Archbishop, who emphasized that “The starting point of all theology is friendship with Christ and love for his brothers, his sisters, his world. This world is dramatic, magnificent, full of suffering and moving beauty. Be Light! Place in the light the things that join us and those that tell us apart. Those things that divide are darkness. Theology has, therefore, such beauty and such injustice to bring to the light, to bring to Christ.”
The Archbishop also highlighted the importance of common sense, which is at the core of wisdom, saying “Common sense is the concrete intuition of a familiarity between the desire to do and the things that make up the world. The sensation of such a practical affinity encourages one to action, granting enthusiasm in the beginning, and confidence in success.”
Most Rev. Pagazzi arrived in the Philippines for the 25th anniversary of the Loyola School of Theology (LST). He was accompanied by Fr. Hruday Pudhota, SCJ, official of the University Section of the Dicastery, and several officials of the LST, led by then-President Fr. Enrico Eusebio, SJ.
Before the Mass, Most Rev. Pagazzi also paid a courtesy call to the UST Rector Very Rev. Fr. Richard G. Ang, O.P., Ph.D., at the Main Building, and was welcomed to the UST Central Seminary by the Acting Rector Rev. Fr. Clarence Marquez, O.P., S.Th.D.
A Triduum was also held in honor of the solemnity of the Feast Day of St. Thomas from January 22 to 24 and 27, 2025. The theme, “St. Thomas Aquinas: Illumined by Truth, Anchored in Hope,” emphasizes the Angelic Doctor’s dedication to divine wisdom and truth, which inspires and strengthens Christian hope. It also expresses solidarity with Pope Francis’ declaration of 2025 as the Jubilee Year of Hope.
His Excellency Most Rev. Napoleon B. Sipalay, Jr., O.P., D.D., Bishop of Alaminos, presided over the Institutional Holy Mass and Closing of the St. Thomas Aquinas Double Jubilee Celebration on January 27, while the Triduum Masses were presided by Rev. Fr. Jayson R. Gonzales, O.P., Rev. Fr. Felix F. Delos Reyes, O.P., and Rev. Fr. Manoj Rasanjana Angodage Don, O.P., respectively.
