THE 3-IN-1 DAY CELEBRATION
Paulinian Community Celebrates the Immaculate Conception Day through
B.E.C Session and Paulinian Agape
by: Gescery Umbina
The Feast of the Immaculate Conception
is a religious observance for Christians all over
the world. On December 8, Christians all over the
world celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate
Conception. It is a day to celebrate the dogma of
the conception of Mary, mother of Jesus, without
any stain of the original sin.
S t. Paul University Surigao, college
students and staff gathered together to
celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate
Conception on Friday, December 8th in the
San Nicolas de Tolentino Cathedral Parish.
The celebration began with a solemn mass
by Fr. Gun Real Omega, DCS as the main
celebrant. The Eucharistic celebration was
attended by more than one hundred college
students, and some of the teachers and
other well-wishers of all faiths. The entire
liturgy was planned and executed by the
Christian Formation Office.
In his enriching homily, Fr. Gun Real Omega,
DCS expressed the Catholic Holy Day of
Obligation marks the Immaculate
Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary and
the fact that in anticipation of her role as the
mother of Jesus, Mary was saved from the
effects of original sin from the very instant
she was conceived. He also encouraged
everyone that, "We are asked to listen for
God's call and have the courage to answer
'yes' to His will for us,".
The Eucharistic celebration was then
followed by a short programme in the SPUS
Main Gymnasium, in which the winners of the
“Bokasyon ko, Misyon ko” logo-making
contest and booth-making contest were
announced and was given prizes accordingly.
During the programme the masters of
ceremonies; Ms. Audi Kondessa N.
Gortifacion, a faculty member from the
College of Education Culture and Arts
(CECA), & Mr. Gescery M. Umbina, a
student from the College of Business &
Technology (CBT), launched the Paulinian
Agape. On their refined explanation on the
meaning of the Paulinian Agape, Ms. Audi
gave emphasis that it is not only about being
together in eating food but also sharing the
Word of God to each other as one community
of Christ. The programme ended by 11am
with a departmentalized B.E.C or sharing the
of Word of God through small groups and a
salu-salo.
Indeed, this celebration really enlightened
the mind and heart of every Paulinian, that
as a Catholic we must have to value our
Mother Mary because she is one of the
ultimate person who gave strength and light
in our life. In addition, it also reminds us to
serve God wholeheartedly, and serve our
Christian community through spreading the
word of God because this is the greatest way
we can do to share in the prophetic mission
of Jesus.