Academic Year 2021-2022 has officially begun, with the Misa de Apertura or Opening Mass presided over by the Very Rev. fr. Richard G. Ang, O.P., PhD, Rector of UST. The Mass, held on August 2, 2021, was held at the Santísimo Rosario Parish Church and witnessed by Thomasians only.
Veritas
His Excellency Charles John Brown, D.D., the Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines, highlighted the important role of the truth in the mission of Catholic schools, in his message delivered on August 2, 2021 (Monday) during the Opening Mass of Academic Year 2021-2022.
Brown, in a message read by the Rector, fr. Richard G. Ang, O.P., PhD, gave emphasis on the mission of Catholic schools like UST: “to guide us into all truth, to relentlessly, courageously and consistently seek the truth and communicate the truth.”
The new Apostolic Nuncio likewise paid homage to Dominican saints in his message, which was delivered days before the 800th death anniversary of Saint Dominic de Guzman. “[The truth] is the specific beauty of Dominican education in the spirit of Saint Dominic, Saint Thomas Aquinas, and Saint Catherine of Siena: to guide us into all truth.”
Transformed people transform others
In his homily, the Rector highlighted the transforming power of the Holy Spirit, which can help a community renew itself: “The Spirit of the Lord has given us new life. There is nothing more powerful than a community which has renewed itself. It is because transformed people can transform other people.”
The Rector cautioned Thomasians to not believe the statement that says “we are only as good as our struggles,” because “the truth is: we are much [more] powerful and stronger than we believe with the help of the Holy Spirit.”
Harking back to the motto of the University, the Rector said: “May we be enlightened to know the truth, and may we be enkindled to practice charity. Veritas in Caritate.”
