San Beda College Alabang officially began the Academic Year 2024-2025 with a solemn and unifying celebration of the Mass of the Holy Spirit. Held on August 5, 2024, at the Main Chapel,
this annual tradition brought together the entire higher education Bedan community, including the tertiary and graduate students, faculty, staff, and administrators, in a profound expression of faith and unity.
The main celebrant of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass was the Rector President, Rev. Fr. Gerardo Ma. De Villa, OSB. His homily resonated with the collective hopes and aspirations of the Bedan family, urging everyone to seek the guidance and wisdom of the Holy Spirit as they embark on another year of academic pursuit and personal growth. “This gathering is more than just a tradition; it is a moment to pause, reflect, and invite the Holy Spirit into our lives and our institution,” Fr. De Villa remarked during the Mass. “As we face the challenges and opportunities that this new school year will bring, let us do so with optimism, faith, and a commitment to glorify God in all our endeavors.”
The Mass of the Holy Spirit is a time-honored practice in many Catholic educational institutions, symbolizing the invocation of the Holy Spirit’s blessings upon the academic community. At San Beda College Alabang, it serves as a poignant reminder of the school’s mission to foster holistic education grounded in Benedictine values. As the new academic year unfolds, the Bedan community remains united in their shared purpose, fortified by the school’s motto, Ora et Labora (Pray and Work), that defines the Bedan way of life.