Blessings from the deep: Graduation 2014
This year of abundant blessings was embodied by the many ways in which we have been called to “put our faith into the deep”. The University of La Salette-Silang Campus, Biga II Silang, Cavite celebrates its 13th Commencement Exercises on March 26, 2014. This year, of the 19 graduating students, 8 are Salvatorians. This most recent class was called Pescadores meaning “Fishermen.” The theme is Duc in Altum which means “Put out into the deep.” It was based the gospel of St. Luke 5:4 when Jesus first called his followers: Jesus commanded the fishermen to put out into the deep and lower their nets in order to catch fish. After that miraculous catch of fish Jesus told them to be brave “Fishers of Men.” The Pescadores 2013-2014 class choose this as their theme because, like the disciples, they too left everything and obeyed Christ to be put out into deep and let down their nets for a catch. For their faithfulness to God’s call and their many years of hard work to prepare themselves academically for their future as ministers they are certainly worthy to be called “Fishermen”.
The graduation ceremony began with the Holy Eucharist. It was held at the National Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette, Biga II Silang, Cavite at 8:00 a.m. and presided by the Most Rev. Reynaldo Evangelista DD, See of the Diocese of Imus, Cavite. The concelebrating priests represented each of the different congregations that were present in the graduating class. During his homily, the bishop pointed out that as disciples they must always listen to Christ’s voice to develop a deeper understanding of their vocation. And he admonished them to treasure what they have learned during their years of studies and to continue searching the truth.
After the liturgy the graduation rites was followed at the La Salette Pilgrimage Center, Biga II Silang, Cavite. The program was started with a processional march of the candidates for graduation together with their families, faculty members, staff, and the administration. It was graced by the presence of Dr. Levita Castro, Vice-President for Academic Affairs, Rev. Fr. Ronnie Rodriguez MS, MA, Academic Coordinator, Dr. Janet Colobong, Dean for the College of Arts and Sciences, Rev. Fr. Rosano Rosario MS, Provincial Superior, Ina ng Pag-asa Province, Philippines and the various priests, superiors and formators of the different religious orders. The event was also a specific honor for the Salvatorians for some of the awards went to us specifically. We were further honored by the many Meritorious Awards was given to Salvatorian graduates (Sems. Gilbert Batomalaque, Hoang Xuan Vinh, Hoang Kim Rong, Nguyen Giang Manh and Christoper Osares). The Leadership Awards were given to Sems. Randy Villena, SDS and Behn Castro III, La Salette. The program ended by singing the commencement song of the graduates, Reconciliare-the school hymn and Thank You Once Again-the graduation song. In the past they were sowing in tears but now they are reaping joy!
After the event each formation house had their own private receptions. Before the reception started at Fr. Jordan Formation House in Talon, Fr. Bogdan Cwynar SDS, formator, congratulated the graduates and called them “lover of wisdom.” The evening ended with a delicious meal and the sharing of wishes, especially to the brothers who graduated.
“Put out into the deep.” It is a challenging call for all by Jesus to deepen our faith in Him. “It is the will of God that you carry out that work” Fr. Jordan said. Putting into the deep our faith and understanding our own vocations is the work that must be carried out. “Your vocation is to be found. That is morally certain,” Jordan added. DUC IN ALTUM! MABUHAY PISCATORES CLASS 2013-2014
