By: Vicente Ignatius Mate IV, John Patrick Bajalla
Our Lady of La Naval de Manila & students of Colegio de San Juan de Letran who attended the mass celebration of La Naval. Photo courtesy of Maverick Rhoy de Vera & Eduardo Nollora Jr. of The LANCE.
Students, faculty, and staff from the Collegiate Department of the Colegio gather at the Sto. Domingo Church in Quezon City on Thursday, October 5, 2023, to celebrate the Holy Eucharist in anticipation of the 50th year commemoration of the Lady of La Naval as the Patroness of Quezon City.
In the mass presided by the Rector and President of Letran-Manila, Rev. Fr. Raymund Jose, STh-L. MA. OP., he shares the Letranites’ devotion to the La Naval is a tradition that nurtured a relationship between the student and the beloved image.
“Itong tradisyon ay naging debosyon na, naging ugnayan, relasyon na pinalalim na ng bawat letranista sa Ina ng Sto. Rosario La Naval,” says Fr. Jose.
The Father Rector then further expounds on the Gospel of Luke as it shares the Visitation of Mary to her cousin Elizabeth.
In his sermon, Father Jose shares the importance of avoiding envy and being generous. “Mga kapatid, pinaaalalahanan tayo ni Maria na matutong maging masaya sa biyaya ng ating kapwa, hindi natin kailangang mainggit dahil tayo'y maraming biyaya na galing sa Diyos,” shares father.
According to the Rector, envy is a sign of selfishness and it could only be avoided by learning how to share our blessings and how to share our blessings with others.
As the mass ends, Fr. Jose reminds the Letranites to share their blessings as this small act is a key to happiness. “There is only true joy and happiness when it is shared hindi ka masaya kung ikaw lang mag isa ang magcecelebrate… so always remember there is only true joy and happiness when it is shared,” states father.
In line with the 50th celebration of the Feast of the Lady of La Naval, there will be a grand procession to be attended by the lay faithful and religious groups devoted to the Blessed Lady with Letran among others on October 8, 2023 at 4:00 PM along Quezon Avenue.