The significance of Mary’s light was remembered as the Grade School Ateneo de Cebu community celebrated the Solemnity of the Assumption of Mary through the Holy Spirit Mass last August 15, 2024 at the Magis Eagles Arena. The Holy Spirit Mass is a Jesuit tradition where members of an academic institution gather together in the spirit of thanksgiving for God’s gift of creation and salvation and in the communal praying for the Holy Spirit’s guidance and wisdom throughout the school year. The Ateneo Hearter pupils and teachers wore their red Sunday attire, to signify the Holy Spirit’s fire and presence. The mass began with a meaningful procession as the Grade School family welcomed Mother Mary to the Lord’s altar.
The Holy Spirit mass, which was sponsored by the grade 5 level, was presided over by Fr. Gilbert Emmanuel ‘Nono’ Levosada, SJ, director for Campus Ministry and Social Involvement and concelebrated by our school president, Fr. Michael ‘Mike’ Pineda of the Society of Jesus. In the homily, Fr. Nono recalled how a few Ateneo Hearters in the primary level gave him a sticker of Tangle’s Rapunzel, which he placed on his water tumbler, beside a St. Ignatius sticker. He said that the Rapunzel sticker reminds him every day of the movie’s theme song ‘I See the Light’, which he associated to Mary’s light radiating splendidly during her assumption into heaven. He then recalled how Mother Mary’s example of obedience, charity, and love reflects the light of Jesus. It is through Mary’s light in times of darkness that one is directed to the source of true Light that is God.
The holy mass reminded the Grade School Ateneo Hearter community that Mary, though young, displayed unwavering faith, when she said ‘yes’ to God’s will for her and showed courage in fulfilling God’s plan of salvation. The grade school community prayed that Mary’s light may serve as a guiding light to every young Ateneo Hearter: giving him/her consolation and inspiring him/her to show strong faith and courage throughout the school year. Ad majorem Dei gloriam!
