RECOLETOS SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY OPENS NEW ACADEMIC YEAR
Fray Jose Enrico V. Gallego
Rev. Fr. Dionisio Q. Selma, OAR, the Prior Provincial of St. Ezekiel Moreno, officially opened the Recoletos School of Theology (RST) Academic Year 2019 – 2020 during the Mass of the Holy Spirit held on August 8, 2019 at the Our Lady of Consolation Parish – Recoletos in Mira-Nila Homes, Tandang Sora, Quezon City.
In his homily, Fr. Selma expressed his gratitude to the various religious communities and their respective superiors and representatives, as well as the professors and theology students, for becoming a part of the Recoletos School of Theology. Discussing the various representations and images of the Holy Spirit, he presented the Spirit in His role as breath in the life of believers. It is a life that comes from God and is oriented towards God. Fr. Selma also depicted the Spirit as a strong wind that stands for destruction – the destruction of pride, laziness and stubbornness so as to allow one to grow in search of wisdom. The Spirit is likewise presented as tongues of fire which points to the role of the Spirit in the communication of truth in contrast with the proliferation of “fake news” which is rampant in social and mainstream media today. He encouraged the Recoletos School of Theology to be faithful to her role of providing sound theological formation to the future workers in the Lord’s vineyard.
Before the final blessing, the new set of officers of the RST Student Forum and the Editorial Staff of Restless Heart newsletter made their oath of office. Simple refreshments were served at the Bulwagang Recoletos Atrium after the Mass, which was immediately followed by the orientation of the freshmen at the Aula Magna.
In attendance to the solemn Eucharistic celebration were 17 concelebrating priests, two deacons, theology students, professors and lay collaborators. The school opening culminated with a friendly basketball game in the afternoon among the theology students where the RFC team won against the Order of St. Augustine (OSA) friars in the first game, and against the Oblates of the Virgin Mary (OMV) and the Marian Missionaries of the Holy Cross (MMHC) in the second game respectively.
