What really matters

On 27 January 2026, the Ateneo de Manila Senior High School commemorated its patron saint, Saint Aloysius Gonzaga, in a special way. Although his feast day is traditionally celebrated on June 21, the community set aside a dedicated day so students could honor him as the school’s patron. The celebration began with the Holy Eucharist, presided over by Fr Noel Y Bava SJ, SHS chaplain, and concelebrated by Fr Joaquin Jose Mari C "Jonjee" Sumpaico SJ, Vice President for Basic Education. The homily was delivered by Rev Bien Emmanuel C Cruz, SJ,  a true-blue Atenean.

The Mass started with the procession of the relic and statue of Saint Aloysius Gonzaga. Rev. Bien presented our school’s patron, whom we fondly call Luigi, as someone who the students can totally relate to, being close to them in age, struggles, and privileges. He was well-educated, and he came from a powerful and wealthy family. “In many ways, he had what many people today would call an ‘ideal life.’ And yet, deep inside, he sensed that something was missing - he wanted his education and privilege to bear fruit, he wanted to use his status in society for the service of neighbor. His gifts are not for self-affirmation, but for sharing the love received.”

Drawing from the life of Luigi, Rev Cruz returned to the question posed in the Gospel: “What really matters most?” Jesus’ answer, he shared, was simple - to love God with one’s heart, soul, and mind, and to love one’s neighbor as oneself. He emphasized that faith, like love, is shown in the way we live. “In other words, faith is not meant to shrink our world—it is meant to open our hearts so that we can encounter others, even if they are different.” In a Jesuit and Atenean context, this means allowing one’s education and formation to lead to being persons-for-and-with-others, choosing dialogue, collaboration, and companionship over comfort or indifference.

Rev Cruz ended his homily with an invitation, saying that though the path may be challenging, we are not expected to have everything figured out right away. Rather, it is a continuous process of discernment and listening to our hearts, asking: “Who is suffering because I am comfortable? Who is invisible because I am protected? Who is left out because I am afraid to step closer?” God’s commandments are an invitation to live fully and love deeply and courageously. “To be an Atenean, then, is not just to excel, but to descend, to go down, to touch grass and to make these hands dirty with service…” Saint Aloysius did just that and showed us that real love risks, suffers, and gives itself away for the greater glory of God and the service of neighbor.

The celebration of the Holy Eucharist concluded with a veneration of Saint Aloysius Gonzaga. In honor of his deep devotion to Our Lady, the entire Senior High School community joined the choir in offering his prayer to Mary through song. After the Mass, the rest of the day was filled with fun games and salu-salo, which the students certainly enjoyed

Photos by Rhael Alit and Bryll Dela Vega