OLPCC Christian Formation Program - Campus Ministry

AUGUST 17, 2026 | Thanksgiving Mass for OLPCC’s 70th Anniversary

“OLPCC’s Platinum Legacy: 70 years and beyond of excellence, faith, and service.”

Today, the Our Lady of the Pillar College–Cauayan community gathered in gratitude and joy to celebrate seven decades of faith-filled service and academic excellence. The Thanksgiving Mass was presided by Rev. Fr. Marc Glen Y. Guingab, LPT, and co-celebrated by Rev. Fr. Jefferson Limon and Rev. Fr. Ian Kenneth Mamauag, uniting the faithful in prayer and thanksgiving.

This milestone celebration reminds us that OLPCC’s legacy is not only measured in years but in lives touched, values nurtured, and faith strengthened. May this Platinum Jubilee inspire us to continue the mission of excellence, faith, and service—carrying God’s presence into the next generations and beyond.

AUGUST 16, 2026 | Saint Rocco

St. Rocco was born in 1295 at Montpellier in France to a noble family, and on his little body, on the left side of his chest, was a noticeable and vivid red cross. Since he was a child of 10, he was already helping the poor and the sick. At the age of 20 he lost his father and shortly after, his mother and sold all his property and distributed his wealth to the poor and needy.

After donating his wealth, He became a pilgrim and traveled as far as Italy. At that time, the bubonic plague devastated the land- out of every ten people, seven died. St. Rocco offered his services in a hospital near Siena where he tried to cure the body and souls of the sick. God answered his prayers, and helped him perform miracles. By simply making the sign of the cross and reciting a prayer that an Angel had taught him, he cured so many people that the plague in the city was over in 15 days.

Denying all honors and thanks, St. Rocco went to another city, Cesena, where the plague was also in full swing. St. Rocco helped to quickly eradicate the horrible plague in Cesena as well as in another city, Rimini. Once these cities were cured, he left for Rome where the plague was also killing many people, and even in Rome, St. Rocco performed his miracles and healed many people.

During his other travels, while in Piacenza, St. Rocco himself took sick with the plague and woke one night when he heard the voice of an Angel who say to him: “Rocco, very devout servant of Our Lord Jesus Christ, wake up and get up, you know that you too are now sick with the plague, but be diligent to heal it in you as you have done with others”. So, feverish with tumors and horribly painful wounds, St. Rocco dragged himself with much difficulty to a shack in the woods near a castle, so not to be a burden to others. He soon experienced the joys and the signs of the love of GOD for him.

He stuck his cane into the earth and soon this was transformed into a pear tree, which gave fruit thereafter every eve of his feast day. To quench his thirst, God created a waterfall near the shack. To satisfy his hunger, a dog that belonged to the nearby castle brought him a loaf of bread every day. One day the owner of the dog followed him to the shack, where he was astonished by St. Rocco’s way of life. He was so inspired, he too sold all his riches and became a pilgrim like St. Rocco.

When St. Rocco was finally healed of his sickness he resumed his travels throughout Italy and then returned to his native city in France. In France, they believed he was a spy and was sent to jail by a judge, his paternal uncle. St. Rocco never revealed his true identity and only said he was a servant of Christ. After 5 years in prison, one day the jailer noticed a strange light throughout St. Rocco’s cell and the saw the Saint’s face radiant with sunlight. He spread the news and crowds of people clamored outside the jail to have him freed.

Unfortunately, the calls for freedom came too late as the Saint was close to death. He asked to remain in jail for three more days. At the end of the third day, an Angel of the Lord came to him and said that he was about to die and he was to ask God for his last wish. He asked God to save all those who were afflicted with the plague.

The evening of August 16, 1327, at only 32 years of age St. Rocco fell into the slumber of death. Soon after, the Angel brought a plaque to the prison on which was inscribed the following message of God: “All those who are stricken with the bubonic plague and go to St. Rocco for help will be healed”. When his uncle, the judge, found out that the name of the prisoner was Rocco, he became suspicious. Finally, St. Rocco’s mother’s aunt remembered that the Saint had been born with a red cross on his chest. The judge asked to see the Saint’s bare chest where te cross remained, and so the identity of the Saint was discovered.

St. Rocco, pray for us!

AUGUST 16, 2026 | Saint Stephen of Hungary

At the turn of the second millennium, St. Stephen succeeded his father as leader of the Magyars in Hungary. Looking to strengthen his authority, he determined to consolidate the state and extend Christianity throughout the land. In 1001 he arranged to have Pope Sylvester II name him king of Hungary. The pope obliged. As an additional sign of support, Sylvester had a special crown fashioned for Stephen that has become world famous.

Stephen extended his control over Hungary by restricting the power of the nobles. By creating dioceses and establishing monasteries, Stephen strengthened the church and positioned it for expansion. Politically, he aggressively used his power to establish Christianity as Hungary’s religion. He ruthlessly abolished pagan customs, outlawing adultery and blasphemy. Stephen ordered everyone to marry, except religious, and forbade marriages between Christians and pagans.

But Stephen had a kinder, gentler side. Like St. Louis IX, he made himself accessible to his people. He also took personal concern for the poor. He used to walk the streets in disguise so he could give alms to needy people. Once he barely escaped when some beggars beat and robbed him. But he refused to stop the practice. Stephen was a family man. In 1015 he had married Gisela, the sister of emperor St. Henry II. The couple had one son, Emeric, whom Stephen groomed as his successor. In the following letter to his son, Stephen lays out his vision of what a Christian monarch must be:

My dearest son, if you desire to honor the royal crown, I advise, I counsel, I urge you above all things to maintain the Catholic and apostolic faith with such diligence and care that you may be an example for all those placed under you by God and that all the clergy may rightly call you a man of true Christian profession. However, dearest son, even now in our kingdom the Church is proclaimed as young and newly planted; and for that reason she needs more prudent and trustworthy guardians. . .

Finally, be strong lest prosperity lift you up too much or adversity cast you down. Be humble in this life, that God may raise you up in the next. Be truly moderate and do not punish or condemn anyone immoderately. Be gentle so that you may never oppose justice. Be honorable so that you may never voluntarily bring disgrace upon anyone. Be chaste so that you may avoid all the foulness of lust like the pangs of death. All these virtues I have noted above make up the royal crown and without them no one is first to rule here on earth or attain to the heavenly kingdom.

Sadly, Emeric died in a hunting accident, leaving Stephen no successor. After the saint’s death in 1038, a series of Magyar kings undid much of his work.

Saint Stephen, pray for us!

AUGUST 14, 2026 | Saint Maximillian Kolbe

We remember St. Maximilian Kolbe, a Franciscan priest and martyr who showed extraordinary courage, faith, and love. During his imprisonment at Auschwitz, he willingly gave his life to save another prisoner who had a family. His life reminds us that true love means selflessness, courage, and putting others before ourselves. May we follow his example by choosing kindness, faith, and love even in difficult times.

St. Maximilian Kolbe, pray for us!

‎AUGUST 15, 2026 | Anticipated Holy Mass
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‎“Have faith—a faith full of love, the way God loves: persistent and cheerful.”
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‎United in prayer, strengthened in faith. The OLPCC Senior High School Department sponsored today’s Anticipated Holy Mass at the Our Lady of the Pillar Parish Church, offering the school community a moment to pause, give thanks, and place the days ahead in God’s hands.
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‎May this celebration renew our faith and remind us to carry God’s presence with us beyond the church and into our daily lives.
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‎✍️ Brithney Pascual
‎📷 Kaycee Agnez Bueno
Samantha Medina
Mariel Pamittan
‎🖼 Samantha Medina

Let us come together in thanksgiving as we celebrate 70 years of OLPCC’s faith, excellence, and service.

📅 August 17, 2026 | 7:30 AM
📍 Msgr. Marino D. Gatan Memorial Hall

AUGUST 13 | Saints Pontian and Hippolytus & Blessed Michael McGivney

Saint Pontian, a pope of the early Church, was exiled to Sardinia during a time of persecution. He gave up his position as pope so the Church could continue to be guided, and he remained faithful to Christ until his death.

Saint Hippolytus, a priest and teacher of the faith, experienced disagreements within the Church but later reconciled with it. He was also sent to Sardinia, where he suffered and died as a martyr together with Saint Pontian.

Blessed Michael McGivney, an American priest, devoted his life to helping the poor, families, widows, and orphans. He founded the **Knights of Columbus** in 1882 to promote faith, charity, and support among Catholic families.

May their stories inspire us to stay strong in our faith, forgive others, serve those in need, and continue doing good with love and humility.

Saints Pontian and Hippolytus and Blessed Michael McGivney, pray for us!

AUGUST 12 | Feast of St. Jane Frances de Chantal

Today, we honor St. Jane Frances de Chantal, a devoted wife, loving mother, widow, and founder of the Order of the Visitation of Holy Mary. Despite enduring the loss of her husband and many personal trials, she remained steadfast in her faith and placed her complete trust in God's loving providence.

Together with St. Francis de Sales, she established a religious community rooted in humility, gentleness, and charity, welcoming women who desired to dedicate their lives to God. Through her example of compassion, perseverance, and unwavering faith, she showed that holiness can be lived in every stage of life.

May the life of St. Jane Frances de Chantal inspire us to trust in God's plan, embrace every challenge with courage, and love others with kindness and humility.

St. Jane Frances de Chantal, pray for us!

Happy Birthday to our College of Accountancy Representative, Thrisha Mae Alindayu! May your day be filled with joy and blessings!

AUGUST 11 | Saint Clare of Assisi

We honor the life and legacy of Saint Clare of Assisi, the founder of the Order of Poor Ladies (Poor Clares) and a faithful follower of Christ. Known for her deep humility, devotion, and unwavering faith, she taught us that true strength comes from trusting God and living a life of love and simplicity.

Saint Clare, pray for us!