𝑩𝑼̀𝑰 𝑻𝑯𝑨𝑵𝑮 𝑽𝑨̂𝑵

The University of Santo Tomas Research Center for Theology, Religious Studies and Ethics (through its Center for Dialogue with Cultures and Religions in Asia) and the Religions for Peace Standing Commission on Interreligious Dialogue, in collaboration with the UST Theological Society and the UST Office of the Vice-Rector for Religious Affairs, are inviting those interested to an upcoming Christian-Muslim Dialogue on Good Governance. Happening on the morning of November 20, 2025, and bearing the theme, "𝐅𝐚𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐕𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐮𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞," this event aims to foster critical discussion and understanding, giving focus to the voices of the youth and the faith. Admission to the event is free, but pre-registration is required. Kindly use the QR Code provided on the poster or click on this link:

https://bit.ly/Good_Governance?r=qr

For questions, please contact the office of RCTRSE:

Research Center for Theology, Religious Studies and Ethics
[email protected]
Room 104B, Mezzanine Main Building, UST
+63-2-3406-1611 loc. 8659

🔴 Join the Observance of RED WEDNESDAY 🔴

Tomorrow, November 26, the University of Santo Tomas unites with Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) in observing RED WEDNESDAY — a global call to remember and pray for Christians who endure persecution for their unwavering fidelity to Christ. We will also formally conclude the month-long Thomasian Martyrs' Memorial.

As we intercede for the suffering Church of our time, we look back to our own Thomasian Martyrs, whose courageous witness shone brightly amid cruelty, oppression, and death. Their lives remind us that true faith is not silenced by fear, nor extinguished by suffering.

Featured here are selected reflections from Rev. Fr. Rolando V. de la Rosa, OP, shared during the Thomasian Martyrs’ Conference held on November 6, the Feast of the Thomasian Martyrs.

May their testimony move us to remain steadfast in faith, courageous in love, and unshaken in hope, whatever trials may come.

𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗛𝗢𝗠𝗜𝗟𝗬 𝗼𝗳 𝗛𝗶𝘀 𝗘𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗝𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗰𝘂𝗹𝗮, 𝗗.𝗗., 𝗱𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗠𝗮𝘀𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗔𝗩𝗘𝗣𝗥𝗢 (𝗔𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗘𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗤𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝗘𝗰𝗰𝗹𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗙𝗮𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀) 𝗤𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗦𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗿 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗔𝘀𝗶𝗮 𝗣𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰 | 25 November 2025 | UST Central Seminary Chapel

"The Church today faces many challenges in intellectual formation. In many places, academic programs may prioritize technical knowledge over spiritual depth, intellectual rigor over relational formation, or institutional reputation over mission.

In a world rife with ideological confusion, secularism, and false claims to authority, our clergy and laity must be formed in discernment, courage, fidelity to truth, and pastoral sensitivity. They must know how to see through the “false christs” of our time—not only those who claim power, but ideologies that distort the Gospel, mislead consciences, or reduce faith to mere cultural identity. Formators must help students to cultivate a critical mind as well as a humble and compassionate heart, so that they can navigate conflict, suffering, and change without losing sight of God’s kingdom."



Photo Credits 📸: The Varsitarian

🔴 Get ready for RED WEDNESDAY 🔴
On November 26, the University of Santo Tomas stands in solidarity with Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) in observing RED WEDNESDAY—a global day dedicated to prayerful remembrance of Christians who suffer persecution for their fidelity to Christ.

As we lift our prayers for the persecuted Christians of our time, we also turn our gaze to our own Thomasian Martyrs, who bore witness to their faith with unwavering courage, even unto suffering and death.

Presented here are selected insights from the reflection of Rev. Fr. Jayson R. Gonzales, OP, Adviser of the UST Theological Society, delivered during the Thomasian Martyrs’ Conference held on November 6, the Feast of the Thomasian Martyrs.

May their witness inspire us to remain steadfast in hope and faithful in love, even amid trials.

Reflection by Pope Leo XIV:

"A pilgrimage has a vital part to play in our life of faith, for it removes us from our homes and our daily routines, and gives us time and space to encounter God more deeply. Such moments always help us to grow, for through them the Holy Spirit gently fashions us to be ever more closely conformed to the mind and the heart of Jesus Christ."

(Audience with pilgrims from Denmark, Ireland, England, Wales and Scotland - July 5, 2025)

A GRACE-FILLED CELEBRATION OF THE JUBILEE YEAR, dear brothers and sisters!

𝐀 𝐉𝐮𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐞 𝐉𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐨𝐩𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐔𝐧𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐞✨

The UST Theological Society embarked on a sacred Jubilee Year Pilgrimage 2025 across three Jubilee Churches in the Archdiocese of Lipa — the Minor Basilica of St. Martin of Tours in Taal (the Largest Church in Asia), the Archdiocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Caysasay, and the Minor Basilica and Shrine of the Sto. Niño ng Batangan — marking a profound journey of faith, hope, and communion.

This pilgrimage became more than a physical journey; it was a journey of prayer — a reverent remembering and offering of intentions for our loved ones, professors, classmates, benefactors, and the communities we serve. In every step, candle, and whispered prayer, we entrusted them to the mercy and loving providence of God.

As Pope Leo XIV reminds us:

“𝘈 𝘱𝘪𝘭𝘨𝘳𝘪𝘮𝘢𝘨𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘢 𝘷𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘭 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘺 𝘪𝘯 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘧𝘢𝘪𝘵𝘩, 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘪𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘴 𝘶𝘴 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘩𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘥𝘢𝘪𝘭𝘺 𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘨𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘴 𝘶𝘴 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘱𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘎𝘰𝘥 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘥𝘦𝘦𝘱𝘭𝘺. 𝘚𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘮𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘱 𝘶𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘨𝘳𝘰𝘸, 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘏𝘰𝘭𝘺 𝘚𝘱𝘪𝘳𝘪𝘵 𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘭𝘺 𝘧𝘢𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘶𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘤𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘑𝘦𝘴𝘶𝘴 𝘊𝘩𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘵.”

May this Jubilee pilgrimage continue to shape our hearts, deepen our faith, and lead us ever closer to Christ, the hope that does not disappoint. 🤍🙏

We express our sincerest thanks to our beloved benefactors whom we fondly remember in our humble prayers. We also extend special thanks to Sem. Jan Neil Janson, the Coordinator of this Pilgrimage, and his team. That in all things, God may be glorified.

✨ Experience the Jubilee to the full! ✨

Let's walk as one pilgrim community as we journey across the three Jubilee Churches in the Archdiocese of Lipa on the Solemnity of Christ the King — a sacred encounter of faith, hope, and renewal.

In the Bull of Indiction for the Ordinary Jubilee Year 2025, Pope Francis reminds us of the abundant spiritual treasures awaiting those who set out in prayerful pilgrimage. As he beautifully affirms:

“Pilgrimage is a fundamental element of every Jubilee event... a great aid for rediscovering the value of silence, effort, and simplicity of life.”
(Spes non confundit, no. 5)

Come, take this grace-filled journey. Let every step draw you closer to Christ the King, our hope and our destination. 👑🙏

𝙋𝙐𝙎𝙊, 𝙀𝘾𝘾𝙇𝙀! 💛💙💚 "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith." (2 Tim. 4:7)
Sem. Renz Lovitos, Sports Chairman of UST Theological Society, thanked everyone—the varsity team members and cheering squad alike—for a good run in the Volleyball Goodwill Games 2025. "A well-deserved win for our last game. Despite our three consecutive losses, we never backed down until the end," Sem. Lovitos remarked.

He further encouraged the team to grow from this experience and carry it into the next season. The journey was a roller-coaster ride, and we certainly harnessed tons of amazing memories from it. 🏐🏐🏐

A long-awaited breakthrough! 🏐
ECCLE Varsity conquers Nursing in straight sets (25–17, 25–17) — its first win after years at the bottom. Proof that persistence always finds its moment. 💛🐯

We recognize in a special way the efforts of our Sports Committee Chairmen, Sem. RENZ LOVITOS from the Theological Society and Sem. JUDE DOTON from the Faculty of Philosophy Students' Forum. We also express our deepest thanks to our amazing coach and trainer, Mr. BENJAMIN MAPE.