Ateneo celebrates the Feast of St. Ignatius

The Ateneo de Davao University Grade School Level just came up with a month-long celebration of the feast of St. Ignatius, the founder of the Society of Jesus.

We had the opening salvo of its month-long celebration on July 3. The Campus Ministry Office launched the various Ignatian contests/activities for the whole grade school. The different activities were as follows:

1. My Living Saint – a contest for grades 3 and 4 pupils where they are asked to submit a photo of a person whom they consider a living saint.
2. Batang Ignacio – Huwaran ko kay Kristo
   An activity wherein each grade level chooses two (2) boys for San Ignacio look-alike. These boys will be introduced during the commitment day masses of their grade level. Tuesday for the Grade 3 and Wednesday for the Grade 4.
3. Ignatian songwriting where grade 5 and 6 pupils may submit a song that is reflective of Ignatian values.
4. I Found God essay writing wherein a pupil is asked to write a personal experience of how he/she found God in her day-to-day life.

On July 17-21, the school also celebrated the CLE week with a theme of One Church, One Mission. We Belong. Strengthening the Faith Life of the Community. It was participated by all grade levels wherein they showcased the output of the pupils in an exhibit which was displayed in the school grounds.

Grade 3 level also held their own Search for St. Ignatius Look-alike. Various pupils from different sections dressed up like St. Ignatius and answered questions relevant to school issues and Ignatian values. Below is the list of pupils:

1. Antonio Andres B. Antepuesto – Sikatuna
2. Sean Steven Duco – Datu Alamada
3. Gabriel Luis B. Noya – Datu Bago
4. Calex Shael C. Valenzuela – Sigala
5. Jacob Alan Carlos H. Reyes – Sultan Kudarat
6. Paul Jared V. Aladin – Rajah Humabon
7. Akio Keitaro C. Ogahayon – Lapu Lapu
8. Medrado VII M. Canusa – Marikudo
9. Yuan Inigo Miguel C. Porras – Princess Urduja
10. Rye Deo Sebastian C. Rios – Sumakwel

On July 28, the university celebrated the Feast of St. Ignatius of Loyola through a Eucharistic celebration held simultaneously in the Fr. Martinez Sports Center and the 4th floor of Martin Hall. These masses were presided by Fr. Ulysses S. Cabayao and Fr. Antonio Basilio M. Basilio respectively, both of the Society of Jesus.

And on July 29 Saturday, the school had Dugong Bughaw where faculty, staff, janitors, security guards, parents of the students, partner communities and friends donated blood in honor of St. Ignatius of Loyola. There were 220 bags of blood collected and given to Red Cross. We thank our blood donors, doctor volunteers who are also parents of our students and everyone who in one way or another helped the event’s success. We congratulate the ADPTCI (Ateneo de Davao Parents Teachers Community, Inc. who spearheaded the activity.

As Fr. Tabora wrote on one of his memos, this year’s celebration is a thanksgiving for the many graces that the university has received through the seventy years of its existence. We are therefore called to celebrate St. Ignatius, our school and one another (Memo 2017-076).

And as the Grade School community celebrates, everyone is invited to continue living out the Ignatian values and to devote all prayers and actions for the greater glory of God. Ad Majoreim de Gloriam! (Mrs. Ivy Ammabel S. Dela Cruz | Ateneo Grade 4 Level Head)