Abp. Valles to graduates: ‘Go, Proclaim the Gospel, Serve Others’

Holy Cross of Davao College Graduation

Davao Archbishop Romulo G. Valles, DD has urged the graduates of Holy Cross of Davao College, Inc. to become evangelizers proclaiming the Gospel of Christ through their deeds, and to serve others. In his homily during the Baccalaureate Mass, March 11, Saturday, Msgr. Valles reminded the graduates not to forget the values they’ve learned as Holy Crossians.

“When we try to do well, to be humane in dealing with people, when we try to bring God’s love and mercy, to forget ourselves for the sake of others, we are also bringing Christ’s love and mercy,” he said. He also encouraged them to take courage especially in the midst of oppositions and temptations, saying, “When we try to be honest in the office, in the workplace, there will be people who will try to put you down. And so, when that happens, those who believe in the light of the Lord must be firm,” said Msgr. Valles.

“I hope as Holy Crossians, when darkness would come, when you are attacked, when you are walking alone, you will always have the courage and guts to say, ‘It is impossible for you to stop me to be good, to be just, to be fair, and to know what is right in every path. It is impossible for you to stop me because I know how God operates’, he added. Msgr. Valles, also the chairperson of the Board of Trustees of HCDC, emphasized the need for the young professionals to imbibe among themselves the deep sense of God. “We are called today, to keep the deep sense of God in our lives. Bring the goodness of God, the comfort of God, His mercy and compassion,” he said.

Grateful Hearts

He also told the graduates to be grateful for the achievements they have received and not to forget to give it back through serving others especially the poor. “Dear sons and daughters of Holy Cross, yes, the diploma are for yourselves, for your families, but, hopefully do not forget that the diploma is also a mandate, a push, a challenge for you to slowly forget yourselves, and find your meaning and wealth by giving yourselves to others especially the poor,” said Msgr. Valles.

The archbishop also thanked the parents, guardians, sponsors and benefactors for trusting in HCDC, an archdiocesan school, especially in the educational formation of the children. Moreover, he also thanked the teachers and administrators and staff of HCDC for continually producing competent graduates who are equipped with strong Christian values and discipline. “Thank you. But I must say also that the main actor in the formation of our students is the finger of God -the hand of God that is touching everyone; the hand of God that is leading all of us to excellence. His unseen presence is pushing us all to do what is good, what is great and what is excellent,” he said.

True service

The archbishop also told the graduates that as they go out to the real world, they have to assess themselves and ask these questions again: “What has HCDC truly instilled for me? What is the treasure that I will bring? Do we aspire to live like those who have silver or gold? Or, do we look at Peter, the one who doesn’t have anything, but God’s strong presence in his heart. Silver nor gold, I do not have, all I have is the risen Lord. Rise and walk,” Msgr. Valles repeatedly told the graduates while quoting a passage from the Acts of the Apostle.

He also warned the graduates of the danger of serving the people without the glow of God’s love, mercy and compassion.

“It’s worthless!” he said, adding that this kind of service usually deteriorates the body and will not produce any good effects for others. The true service, he explained, is to make Jesus the reason and core of it. (Shannen Adlaon/CrossTV)