Pasa-pasang Pag-asa: AJHS's 'Force for Good' Mass

The Ateneo de Manila Junior High School (AJHS) community celebrated the Votive Mass for the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus with a schoolwide Mass on 12 February 2025 in the AJHS Covered Courts. Dubbed the “Force for Good Mass,” the eucharistic celebration also launched Social Involvement Program (SIP) Week, which was anchored on the final clause of the AJHS Mission statement, “...so that they may navigate the future with discernment and become a force for good for an inclusive, sustainable, and just society.” The Mass also commemorated the 350th anniversary of the Apparitions of the Sacred Heart of Jesus to St Margaret Mary in Paray-le-Monial. Joining the AJHS community at the Mass were its Christian Service Involvement Program (CSIP) partner communities from Brgy. Milagrosa, Project 4, Salikneta Farm, Valeriano E. Fugoso Memorial Elementary School, and Sapang Palay, Bulacan.

Celebrated in Filipino, the Holy Mass was presided by Fr Lloyd V Sabio SJ, School Supervisor of Saint Isidore High School (SIHS). Fr Lloyd was a former Science teacher in the Ateneo de Manila High School before he joined the Society of Jesus in 2011 and was ordained in 2022. In his homily themed “Pasa-pasang Pag-asa,” Fr. Lloyd elaborated on the true meaning of hope when he said, “Pag-asa ang magbigay sa atin ng inpirasyon at lakas-loob na harapin ang bawat hamon ng buhay, hindi mag-isa kundi sama-sama.” 

He further emphasized that this is only possible with Christ’s love, adding, “Ganito ang Kamahal-mahalang Puso ni Jesus na nagpapaalalang lahat tayo ay kilala at mahal ng Panginoon. Masarap isipin na meron tayong Diyos na kilala ang bawat isa sa atin, kaya kung meron mang kahit isa sa atin ang mawala, hindi Siya mag-aatubili na pansamantalang iwanan ang iba upang hanapin ang nag-iisang nawawala.” Thus, we are all invited to enkindle the fire of hope in our hearts, with our hands always open to share and to pass it on to others. 

Having one heart and one mind united in faith, hope and love, the AJHS love offerings were directed to SIHS in support of their fundraising efforts to build their school library. SIHS is one of four mission schools founded and run by the Jesuit missionaries in Bukidnon. Currently, however, the school does not have a proper library. Until SY 2022-2023, two classrooms were used to house their books and other references. However, these classrooms had to be converted into a Grade 10 classroom and a faculty room the following school year. The current facility temporarily located across the street from SIHS is proving to be unsafe and inadequate for learning. Last year, the AJHS also offered donations to help rebuild the roofing of SIHS’ school stage. 

Fr Erwin F Arandia SJ of the Philippine Jesuit Prison Service Foundation, Inc. and AJHS Chaplain Fr Mamert B Mañus SJ concelebrated the Mass. Also present were Jesuit Formands Scholastic Jerome B Maambong SJ, Rev Deacon Melvin G Paulme SJ, and Rev Deacon Joseph Nguyen Van Vien SJ.   

AM+DG