The Feast of St. Ignatius was a grand celebration this year in Sacred Heart School – Ateneo de Cebu. Different events were created in relation to the feast and to the school’s theme. These allowed the students to live out Ignatian spirituality as well as showcase their talents in the different contests.

Every morning there is a short reflection broadcasted throughout the whole school. Selected students from both grade school and high school gave reflections on different Ignatian values. This allowed the SHS-AdC community to start the day by reflecting on how we could live our lives to be more like St. Ignatius. The homilies during the morning masses were also reflections on the different Ignatian values like Cura Personalis and Magis.

Aside from the activities that developed our spirituality, there were also activities, which showcased the talents of our very own students. The Student Council was able to organize an art contest with the theme: “St Ignatius: Every Ateneo Hearter’s Inspiration”. The grade 7 and 8 students had a mosaic-making contest while the grade 9 and 10 had a chalk art contest. Both of these events were held at the high school activity center. Each of the contestants did a wonderful job at creating their St. Ignatius inspired artworks. Each of the high school year levels also had the Eloquentia Cup. The contestants were to answer or comment on questions and statements related to the life of St. Ignatius and servant-leadership. This contest brought together the students’ skills in extemporaneous speaking and their knowledge of our patron saint and how we could follow in his footsteps.

On the day of the feast itself, a school-wide mass was celebrated not just for the Feast of St. Ignatius but also for the 200th Anniversary of the Restoration of the Society of Jesus. We were very luck to have Fr. Ernald Andal, S.J., a former regent in our school, celebrated the mass. The induction of the newly elected PTA officers also took place. After the mass was the short procession of the holy statue of St. Ignatius around the arena.

This year’s Feast of St. Ignatius was really one to remember. Despite all these events that have taken place, we Ateneo Hearters should always remember that celebrating the Feast of St. Ignatius isn’t just about having contests, artworks and speeches dedicated to him, it is about remembering and living out the values that he has taught us. These values should not only be lived out near and during his feast but in every day of our lives.