By: Jo-ana Minese D. Dulfo (GS Faculty)
Last September 6, 2024, the Grade School family of Sacred Heart School – Ateneo de Cebu celebrated an anticipated mass in celebration of Mother Mary’s birthday which will be on September 8, Sunday. The Grade School Ateneo Hearters wore shades of blue to represent Mother Mary’s color of tranquility and peace. The mass began with a solemn procession of Mama Mary’s statue, with a train of angels trailing the path of our blessed mother and the entire assembly singing the “Ave Maria”. Fr. Irmo Valeza of the Society of Jesus celebrated the Mama Mary Mass, with Fr. Mike Pineda and Fr. Nono Levosada, SJ, as the concelebrating priests.
During the homily, Fr. Irmo brought to light how Mama Mary is our “good, big mother” and how she can help us go to heaven. He also narrated the reason why Mama Mary is our good, big mother, with the emphasis on Eve’s (our first mother) disobedience and Mary’s obedience to God. He emphasized how Mary can bring us closer to Jesus, the way to heaven. By following Mary’s obedience to God, we will also be able to follow Jesus and obey God’s will for us.
After the liturgy of the Word, the grade school altar servers performed their investiture. Like how Saint Ignatius offered his sword and professed his vows for a new life with God, the young altar servers also swore in front of the altar and Mama Mary their commitment to serve the Lord’s altar faithfully and exhibit the values expected of a good acolyte.
Mr. Cordova, the Grade School Social Involvement moderator, also launched the Hinabang Ko, Halad Kang Maria, a fund drive organized to help indigent members of our school community. The fund drive is an opportunity for every Ateneo Hearter to emulate Mary’s values of compassion and generosity.
To culminate the mass, the entire grade school community sang a happy birthday song to Mama Mary and offered flowers to her. Indeed, the celebration of Mother Mary’s nativity was a sacred occasion for each Ateneo Hearter to be more Christ-centered and compassionate, for it is through Mary that we become more Christ-like and obtain her son’s heavenly blessings. Ad Majore Dei Gloriam!
