SBM Commemorates the Feast of the

Patriarch of Western Monks

Cristyl Gasta

Commemorative holy mass was celebrated at St.

Benedict’s Monastery last July 11, 2018 in the solemn
observance of the feast of the patriarch of Western
monks–St. Benedict, the venerated founder of the
Benedictine Order.

Before the reform of the General Roman Calendar, St.

Benedict’s feast was celebrated on March 21.

The mass which was presided by Father Francis started at

exactly 8 o’clock in the morning. It was attended by
many including those devotees of Saint Benedict.
Serenity was observed as people were listening to the
Word of God especially when the Gospel of Matthew
10:7-15 was being read.

The said Gospel highlighted the event in the Scripture

when Jesus told the people that the Kingdom of Heaven
is near and left them with the mission to cure the sick,
raise the dead, cleanse lepers and drive out demons–
which is later understood as extending help to our
neighbors the way we have freely received help from
God.
The Gospel significantly instructed us on our mission of
drawing more people near to God. We already have all
we need. When helping people to become closer to God,
Jesus cautioned us about the feeling of needing special
things. He said, “Do not take gold or silver or copper for
your belts; no sack for the journey, or a second tunic, or
sandals, or walking stick.”

If we people start to recognize how God loves each of us,

we will be able see and give importance to the value of
every person we meet. God loves us equally. We are
loved by Him beyond what we can comprehend. With
this, His Son, Jesus, encourages us to share His love with
the people who need it. He said, “Whatever town or
village you enter, look for a worthy person in it.”
Sometimes, we may think that we are not worthy of the
God’s love. But understand the greater meaning when He
sacrificed His Son for our own salvation. Understand that
every person is a worthy person.

Then commemorative holy mass ended with an utter joy

filling each person’s heart. Lastly, a free snack was given
to the people who attended that very special day.
As we cry and laugh at each other’s experiences and
know more about ourselves and our co-grantees, we also
build a greater sense of trust and friendship. With this,
we are thankful to Bro. Thomas, our ever active Ora
Coordinator for facilitating our crying-over-spilled-milk
sessions and for being trustworthy to hold our
confidential life stories. The monastery is one of the
places where I find joy. The kind of joy that burns out
pain. Aaah! Such a lovely place.
We, the scholars, are rich. Maybe not of money but of
abundance of faith. It’s all that we have! It is being sure
of what we hope for and being certain for what we do not
see. Faith that the exhaustion felt by our bodies after the
3-hour cleaning would fade. Faith that our grades won’t
go below 85. Faith that there are snacks after every
Labora. And most especially, faith in God. Faith that our
efforts would soon be compensated with the things we
truly aim.
“For we walk by faith not by sight.” 2 Corinthians 5:7