Holy Spirit Mass opens new academic year
Loreen Danao
“Come, Lord Jesus. Send us Your Spirit. Renew the face of the earth.”
Thus sang the faithful of the Parish of the Holy Sacrifice (PHS) as a new academic year opened with the Holy Spirit Mass (HSM) on Aug. 18.
Some 300 attendees filled the PHS during the Eucharistic celebration presided over by Most Rev. Honesto Ongtioco, bishop of Cubao, with PHS parish priest Fr. Henry Ferreras, as concelebrant.
Given UP’s secular environment, the HSM is a reminder of God’s presence and abiding love.
“[Through] the Holy Spirit Mass, [the UP community] asks for guidance and blessing of the Holy Spirit as [it] enters another academic year,” event head Rafael Bagood told Handuhay.
“It is also to invite people to always remember the Holy Spirit in all their endeavors, [big or small],” Bagood added.
Further, Fritz Jalandoni, Liturgies head of the Campus Ministry Office (CMO), said that the HSM is about “cultivating Christian identity.”
“[O]ur identity is to love our neighbors and [to love] God who loves us. And one way of showing that love is our complete trust in Him,” Jalandoni said.
He also emphasized the universal quality of being Catholic.
“We not only pray for ourselves but we pray for others without specification,” Jalandoni said.
“If faith can move mountains, so can our [faithful prayers] in the Mass move hearts. We are helping each other out here, without any strings attached,” he added.
Held at the beginning of every academic year, the CMO sponsors the HSM, thus making the Ministry’s presence felt inside the University.
Meanwhile, UP student and regular churchgoer Gladryl Omillo said the HSM or the Holy Mass itself has always been his “source of strength” and “spiritual nourishment.”
“[It is to] refresh and reset time, recovering from summer hangover, getting ready for the sem ahead,” he said.
