“Sparks of Hope”, an Ignatian Conversation was held in the Finster Auditorium of Ateneo de Davao University during the activity period on Nov. 18, 2015. Photo by Kent Matthew Te

“It is our faith that allows us not to give up hope.”

This was the statement of Bro. Karl M. Gaspar, CSsR, dean of Academic Studies at the St. Alphonsus Theological and Mission Institute (SATMI), during the third Ignatian Conversation, entitled Sparks of Hope, last Nov. 18 at the Finster Auditorium.

According to the St. Ignatius Spirituality Center Director Rosalia Pabres, the event’s aim was to spark the Ateneo Community to “communal reflections.”

“These Ignatian Conversations hope to move the Ateneo de Davao University Community to communal reflections and appropriate the Ignatian Spirituality in the university mission, vision and goals,” said Pabres.

During the event, Gaspar talked about international and local incidents that posed war, terrorist attacks, and calamities.

“At this very moment are you hopeful that lasting peace, security and well-being will reign in the next five years?” Gaspar asked.

He also talked about his experiences when he was imprisoned during the martial law, and how he lost and found hope.

“Life should not be experienced with grief and anxiety,” he shared as he read his journal during the years he was confined in jail. “There are signs of hope.”

Gaspar emphasized that those who have “steadfast faith” will spring hope.

“Hope has such an important role to play in our lives,” he said.

Students, faculty members and some members of the Davao Association of Catholic Schools (DACS) community attended the said event.