Students, staff, and faculty from different University departments gather at the Matina Sports Complex to celebrate the mass for the solemnity of St. Ignatius de Loyola.
Photo by Twitter user macoy samante, @xxoysamante

“Ignatius shows us through his whole life that unexpected crises are precisely occasions that God uses for us to re-invent ourselves. These are our own cannon ball moments where we can become soldiers of Christ.”

This was the concluding statement of Fr. Manuel Perez, SJ in his homily during the mass for the solemnity of St. Ignatius de Loyola held at Matina Sports Complex, Ateneo de Davao- Matina Campus this morning, 9 AM, July 29, 2016.

The Ateneo de Davao community, both from the basic and higher education departments attended the said Eucharistic celebration. This was in leadership of the Jesuit community in Davao City who were also concelebrants of the mass, headed by its Rector Fr. Daniel McNamara, SJ. Deans of the higher education community were also present.

Director Ricardo Enriquez headed the SHS community. Meanwhile, Junior High School Principal Fr. Michael Pineda, SJ and Grade School Headmaster Suzette Aliño led the Basic Education community. Lay Eucharistic ministers and servers also joined the mass in cooperation with the SHS Formation office and Campus Ministry.

Earlier in his homily, Perez expressed how Iñigo found himself in Christ and that God led him to follow a higher goal in life and serve a greater King. The presiding priest used excerpts from the movie, Ignacio de Loyola, to encourage listeners to see God in every person and use the life of St. Ignatius as an inspiration.

Second year Biology student, Demi Althea Padillo voiced out her views regarding the celebration of the feast of St. Ignatius de Loyola.

“It is important to know significant details about the patron saint of Ateneo in order to have a deeply rooted appreciation towards the vision, mission and goals of the university.

“Everytime that we celebrate his feast, we now remember how he actually lived his faith as a true Christian and a soldier of God,” Padillo said.