As the academic year started anew, an estimated 1, 500 Ateneans joined the Mass of the Holy Spirit at the Thibault Field/ Gazebo Area last June 18, 2013.

In the homily, Rev. Fr. Joel E. Tabora, S.J., talked about the importance of each of the Holy Spirit’s seven gifts.

“They are the gifts that pertain to the intellect (wisdom, understanding, counsel, knowledge), and gifts that pertain to the will (fortitude, piety, fear of the Lord),” he said,

Fr. Tabora emphasized the seven gifts in the Eucharistic celebration for it to deepen the faith, hope and love that will ultimately bring all to deeper joy, aware and guided by their own actions for the will of God.

He also indicated that, “since they are gifts, we pray for them as they enrich our relationship with God.”

The university president also noted in his homily the love that God has for each person.

“It is awe at the fact that this God, who has created us so richly, even notices us individually. It is awe that He has turned to us in love, and in love, has redeemed us,” noted Fr. Tabora.

Third year student Liezel Mae Taton shared that “Attending the mass is a beautiful way of blessing the students as they journey into a new school year. Listening to Fr. Tabora has strengthened me with deeper knowledge about the Holy Spirit’s gifts, inspiring me to live a ‘spirit-filled’ life, being always grateful to Him.”

The holy mass was sponsored by 5 schools, namely: School of Arts and Sciences (SAS); School of Business and Governance (SBG); School of Education (SOE); School of Engineering and Architecture (SEA); and, School of Nursing (SON).

Arrupe, First Year Development Program (FYDP), and Samahan, in cooperation with the Ateneo Inter-religious Organizations (AIRO), which is composed of Ateneo Catechetical Instruction League (ACIL), Ateneo Christian Life Community (ACLC), Campus Liturgical Ministries (CLM), Christ’s Youth in Action (CYA), Reachers, Subdominant 7 and Youth for Christ (YFC), also took part in the event.