University of Santo Tomas-Legazpi
The Premier Dominican University of Bicol
The Premier Dominican University of Bicol
Seven hundred eight Legazpi Thomasians from the Basic Education Department filled the UST-Legazpi Dome for the 2023 Thanksgiving Mass presided by Rev. Fr. Ramiro M. De Belen, OP, Vice President for Religious Affairs together with the university’s Dominican Fathers on June 7, 2023.
The annual Thanksgiving mass is a tradition of the university before a learner of the Basic Education Department attends his/her completion or graduation rites.
“Today, indeed, is a day of gratitudine“, opens Fr. Ram during his homily. “Gratitudine” is a Latin word that means gratitude, also a part of the university’s core values and motto “in a life of truth and love of gratitude.”
Fr. De Belen divided his homily into two parts: to look back and to look ahead. He led the students in reflecting on the three qualities that have shaped their journey at UST-Legazpi: courage, enthusiasm, and gratitude. Looking forward, Fr. Ram wished the students a tomorrow filled with faith, hope, and love.
He also blessed all the medals, diplomas, and other graduation paraphernalia that will be distributed in the upcoming 14th Closing and Moving Up ceremonies of the Preschool and Elementary Department, Completion ceremonies of the Junior High School Department, and 6th Graduation Ceremonies for the Senior High School Department.
Before ending the ceremonies, Testimonies of Gratitude were delivered by a selected parent and student of the university. Mr. Sunny N. Nacion, a Grade 10 Completer Parent, and Aloha Princess P. Olmeda, a Grade 12 student from Blessed Sybillina Biscossi. Their speeches focused on their experiences inside the university and how they surpassed challenges through the guidance of the Lord Almighty. They also took the chance to express their gratitude to those who have helped them along their journey.