UST Institute of Religion

Tomorrow, we honor our exemplary academic achievers whose outstanding activities and achievements made a mark in their journey in UST.

Join us in celebrating the Student Awards Day 2026 at the Quadricentennial Pavilion on May 22, 2026!

Happy 53rd Profession Anniversary, Father. Your vocation continues to inspire us to become better Thomasians and better individuals each day. 💛

HAPPY 53RD RELIGIOUS PROFESSION ANNIVERSARY, FATHERS!

• Rev. Fr. Quirico T. Pedregosa, Jr., OP, is the Former Rector of the UST Central Seminary.
• Rev. Fr. Rodel E. Aligan, OP, is one of the Spiritual Directors of the UST Central Seminary.

We pray that they may continue to be strengthened in their Dominican vocation, faithfully witnessing to the Gospel and generously sharing their life and ministry with the community.

Pope Leo is warning us about AI: “In recent years, artificial intelligence systems have increasingly taken control of the production of texts, music, and videos.”

The Church’s next big conversation topic? Artificial intelligence. On May 25 Pope Leo XIV will release his 1st encyclical —Magnifica Humanitas (“Magnificent Humanity”), highlighting the spiritual challenges posed by the ongoing technological revolution.

Congratulations to Prof. Allan A. Basas, SThD, for the publication of his scholarly article, “Karol Wojtyła’s Personalism and the Question of Human Agency in Artificial Intelligence,” in Philosophia: International Journal of Philosophy (Vol. 27, No. 2, 2026).

Your meaningful contribution to the discourse on AI ethics, human agency, and personalism reflects the Institute of Religion’s commitment to academic excellence and faith-informed scholarship. May your work continue to inspire critical reflection and responsible engagement with emerging technologies in the service of the human person.

The Institute of Religion proudly celebrates this achievement with you. Congratulations!

📣 has approved the establishment of the 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫-𝐃𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐧 𝐀𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞, established by the Cardinal Michael Czerny S.J., Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, pursuant to Art. 28 § 5 of the Apostolic Constitution Praedicate Evangelium.

📌 "The new ICAI is a real sign of hope, to help the Roman Curia to address the challenges of artificial intelligence both internally and for the whole Church, the whole world. Our constitution, Praedicate Evangelium, calls us to study “the major problems of the current age, so that the Church’s pastoral activity may be more effectively promoted and suitably coordinated” (Art 21, §4). Our dicastery is honoured to receive this charge from the Holy Father." Card. Michael Czerny S.J.

Read the bulletin: https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2026/05/16/260516b.html

Learn more: https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2026-05/pope-leo-interdicasterial-artificial-intelligence-commission.html

The Institute of Religion warmly congratulates our esteemed faculty members, Mr. Ivan Efraim Gozum and Dr. Allan Basas, on the publication of their scholarly article, “Thomistic Pneumatology and the Adversity Quotient: The Role of the Holy Spirit in Fostering Resilience and Mental Health,” in the journal Pastoral Psychology published by Springer Nature.

This significant contribution to interdisciplinary scholarship beautifully highlights the dialogue between theology and psychology, offering a Thomistic perspective on resilience, mental health, and the healing work of the Holy Spirit. Your dedication to research and academic excellence continues to bring honor to the Institute of Religion and inspires the wider academic and faith community.

Congratulations on this remarkable achievement! Ad multos annos!