MODULE 2: A CHRISTIAN CALL AND THE THOMASIAN RESPONSE

Page 2 of 18

CHAPTER 2:
A Christian Call and the Thomasian Response


Welcome to Chapter 2! How was your experience reading and doing activities of
Chapter 1? I hope you were able to understand and have a clear grasp of the different
concepts regarding the NSTP History and Good Citizenship Values.

In this chapter, you will encounter two lessons: First part will lead you to a deeper
understanding and appreciation of human dignity with a keen sensitivity to the needs of
others especially those who suffer in poverty and crisis in life. The second part
emphasizes the Thomasian core values and response to the Christian call which is
further explained as you go along the module.

At the end of this chapter you are expected to value human dignity through
practicing the teachings of the Catholic Church and the Thomasian core values and
ideals in everyday life.


Lets now go to Lesson 1.

Lesson 1: Advocacy to Christianity

At the end of the lesson, you will be able to:

1. Evaluate ones own point of view regarding human dignity
2. Demonstrate identifiable characteristics of being a Filipino Catholic


I. Man: Image and Likeness of God

So God created man in his own image,
in the image of God he created him;
male and female he created them.

And God blessed them. And God said to them, Be fruitful and multiply
and fill the earth and subdue it and have dominion over the fish of the sea
and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves
on the earth.
(Gen. 1:27-28)
and

The Lord God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed
into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.
(Gen. 2:7)

MODULE 2: A CHRISTIAN CALL AND THE THOMASIAN RESPONSE
Page 3 of 18

Humanity is the pinnacle of creation. Being made in Gods image, humanity has
intrinsic worth. Human beings alone, among all of Gods creation, have the breadth of
God blown into their nostrils

Human dignity is the intrinsic worth that is inherent in every human being. From
the Catholic perspective (among other Christian perspectives), the source of human
dignity is rooted in the concept of Imago Dei (Latin for "image of God"), in Christs
redemption and in our ultimate destiny of union with God.

Human dignity therefore transcends any social order as the basis for rights and is
neither granted by society nor can it be legitimately violated by society. In this way,
human dignity is the conceptual basis for human rights. While providing the foundation
for many normative claims, one direct normative implication of human dignity is that
every human being should be acknowledged as an inherently valuable member of the
human community and as a unique expression of life, with an integrated bodily and
spiritual nature.

In Catholic moral thought, because there is a social or communal dimension to
human dignity itself, persons must be conceived of, not in overly-individualistic terms,
but as being inherently connected to the rest of society. Because the tradition
emphasizes the integral nature of our body and spirit, the human body takes on greater
significance and value than in the prevailing dualistic conception of the person.

a. Man: Soul, Intellect and Will

Mans dignity comes from having a soul. The soul is his principle of life. It
is what gives him a spiritual nature. It is what makes him like God for it enables
him to think and to want. The power which enables man to reason out things is
called his intellect. The power which allows man to decide and to carry out that
decision is called his will.

Because man has a soul, he can be called a person. A person is a being
with a rational nature. Man is called the image of his Maker precisely because he
is rational. He shares something in common with God and angels: his intellect
and will.

Man can have a sense of humor. Only men can find two things that are
absurd or unrelated to each other amusing. Only man can joke or laugh; not even
the hyena can equal man in finding wit in contradictory situations. Man can do so
because he has a mind.

With an intellect, man can search for the truth. As a consequence, he
studies the world around him in order to better understand and do things
accordingly. With this knowledge he can work for the good of others by producing
or making things. He searches for what is real until things are revealed to him

MODULE 2: A CHRISTIAN CALL AND THE THOMASIAN RESPONSE
Page 4 of 18

with the aid of his sense. But always something will be missing from the entire
puzzle for his mind is not as encompassing as his Makers. But it will still be a
light in the dark, enough for him to live in peace.

With his will, man can choose the good. But then not all good things are
of the same quality, there are good things that are higher than others. It is up to
man to identify the higher good so he can choose it.

b. Mans Goals

As a person, we have two goals: the temporal and the ultimate. Our
temporal goal is to be able to develop ourselves and take an active role in the
society. Our ultimate goal is to be in union with our Creator. Our intellect enables us
to acquire the necessary knowledge about the meaning of life. Through it, we are
able to discern whether our action is right or wrong. On the other hand, our human
will enables us to act on our discernment. As persons, we are able to lift our
thoughts to the ideals and are able to make judgments. While we all share in the
image and likeness of God, we are not all the same. Each and every one of us is
unique.

As Christians, do you realize these valuable intrinsic capacities that God has
endowed us? That of being in the image and likeness of God?

In the previous readings, you learned about the person created in the image
and likeness of God. Now, the second half of the first module will make you discover
the persons communitarian nature, your responsibility and realization of ones
worth.


II. Distinctive Characteristics of a Filipino Catholic

We, Filipino Catholics, in particular are people who have experienced in one or
another that our Filipino identity, meaning, suffering, commitment and world-view are all
tied to Jesus Christ. Like a diamond with a thousand faces, Christ is able to reveal to
every person and nation, their own unity, truth and value. (de la Cruz Jr., O.P., 1997. p. 18)


Thus we Filipino Catholics are those who:
As baptized into discipleship of Jesus Christ, discover our identity as adopted
children of our Father and as members of Christs Body, the Church, inspired by
Mary our Mother;
In the breaking of bread around the table of the Lord, find meaning in sharing
ecclesial fellowship with one another and with Christ, their Priest and Eucharist;
In meeting the Crucified Savior, are sustained in the sufferings and hardships of
life, and receive forgiveness for their sins through his Sacraments;

MODULE 2: A CHRISTIAN CALL AND THE THOMASIAN RESPONSE
Page 5 of 18

Commit ourselves to our Risen Lord and his mission through the gift of Faith,
celebrated in great Hope in the Sacraments, and lived out in Love and service of
their fellow-men;
From our world-vision led by the Spirit of the Risen Christ, are experienced in
the Christian community, the Church, which sustains us in our pilgrimage of life-
in-Christ;
Approach and live out this Christian life within the powerful inspiring presence of
Mary, our Mother and Model.


When we deal with each other, we should do so with the
sense of awe that arises in the presence of something
holy and sacred. For that is what human beings are: we
are created in the image of God
(Economic Justice for All Pastoral Letter on Catholic Social
Teaching and the U.S. Economy U.S. Catholic Bishops, 1986.
#28)

a. Gods Two Greatest Commandments
One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing
that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, "Of all the
commandments, which is the most important? Love the Lord your God with all
your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your
strength. The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no
commandment greater than these.
(Mark 12:28-31)
Read the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) in the Bible or visit the link
below to know more about this story:

http://www.jesuswalk.com/lessons/10_25-37.htm

Did you like the story? Have you had any experience before wherein in an
instance you feel like the Good Samaritan?
This story is a classic example of pagmamahal to other people, the
pagpapahalaga concept, which will be explained in the next lesson.







MODULE 2: A CHRISTIAN CALL AND THE THOMASIAN RESPONSE
Page 6 of 18

III. The Concept of Pagmamahal and Pagmumura

Franciscan venerable Juan de Oliver wrote his Tagalog Declaracion de
los Mandamientos de la Ley de Dios between 1585 and 1590. The First
Commandment he rendered as Ybiguin mo ang Dios, Lalo sa Lahat.

The reasonable man, one who has discernment, distinguishes within his
heart what is good and what is evil; he esteems the precious, and the worthless.
Would a man be considered right if he treats equally everything, both the good
and the evil as if they were the same, and if he regards as equal both that which
is precious and that which is worthless, or that is which is worthless with that
which is precious? Would not the person be blind if he treats that which is black
as if it were white, and that which is white as if were black? Is it correct to treat
the cheap and the costly as if they were equal? The devil and the God?

If God is greater and most precious of all, why do you not esteem and love
and cherish Him above all?

The devil, the anito, if the most worthless, ugly, evil-minded, a murmurer
against his God, why is he not treated as the most worthless of all, why not
shown cruelty, why not forgotten as worth nothing?

Pagmamahal, is a disposition of one being towards another being, by
which a degree of value is expressed or symbolized. Conversely, pagmumura is
the inclination to behave toward another who has been considered as valueless
or cheap. Thus, when Fray Oliver tells the Tagalogs in Balayan, Anot minomora
ninyo ang Dios?, he is speaking specifically not of blasphemous speech uttered
against God, but of actions that bespoke the lack of recognition of the true worth
of the Creator to His creatures (Hornedo, 1997).

Thus, a parent who loves his children not only sees to it that they do not
come to harm, but also actively promotes their growth into mature people. He
feeds them and educates them. He chooses their schools and helps them decide
on the careers that they will take. While there are parents who would manipulate
their children to suit their personal convenience, the nagmamahal, or caring,
parent appreciates and enhances the value the children by every means possible
(Hornedo, 1997).

There are numerous examples wherein we can attest to this concept of
pagmamahal; one is by means of studying well in school since if a student puts
value to studying then he/she knows the importance of education as well as
his/her parents hardships or efforts in trying their best to provide their child with
good education. Let us cite another example, a student who addresses his/her
teacher in a proper manner, i.e., Maam, Sir, Ms. or Mr. is deemed respectful to a
person in authority.

MODULE 2: A CHRISTIAN CALL AND THE THOMASIAN RESPONSE
Page 7 of 18

Can you now give other examples like weve mentioned? Discuss these
with your classmates.

The totality of those acts by which valuing is expressed are known in
Tagalog as pagpapahalaga (to appreciate value), and pagmamahal (to love). A
thing is mahal (high-priced, dearly loved) because it is mahalaga (valuable).
Pagmamahal, therefore, is intimately and essentially bound up with halaga. And
to love, therefore, is both to recognize worth or value and to act in a manner
consistent with the preservation and enhancement of the value of the minamahal
(one considered of great value).

And even today, pagmumura sa kapwa (speaking to another in
demeaning language) is, in fact, a verbal expression of how little a person values
another. In times past when pedigree was considered material to a persons
social worth, Filipinos demeaned other by calling anak ng puta (offspring of a
whore). In cultures where pagpapakatao (behaving as a human being) is
regarded as valuable, they demean others by calling them hayop or animal.
Thus, pagmumura is the demeaning of someone, whether by language or by
deed, as there is slander by word and slander by deed (Hornedo, 1997).

But pagmumura is the demeaning of someone not only by language but
also by deed. When a man sees to it with great care to educate his children, he is
expressing in deed his value for the children. But when he acts towards the
servants who might be as old as his children with abuse and desecration, he is in
effect devaluing their worth and stunting their personal growth. By the premises
we have set above, this parent shows pagmamahal toward his children but
pagmumura towards the servants. Here is where the judgment of universal
pagmamahal lies (Hornedo, 1997).

Time has really gone through some visible changes, changes in traditions
and values particularly. Gone are the days when Filipino children used to
exercise the Filipino tradition of pagmamano to elderly people when meeting
them on the streets as sign of respect, when young adults have strict curfews,
and are not allowed to go on dates except in social gatherings together with their
families or with a chaperon. We see many deformities and decay in our moral
values today, the pagmumura concept as explained by Dr. Florentino Hornedo
is true in these modern era, when youngsters engage into drugs, premarital sex
and abortion. We can also cite simple examples that relate to the concept of
pagmumura, one example is when one person tries to make his way on a queue
bypassing other people who are hours waiting patiently on their line. I bet if
anyone of us experiences this kind of rude and ill-mannered person, we will
surely crack our heads in anger. Or in a bus or LRT station, on your way to
school, you suddenly see a very old lady, standing and adjacent to the very old
lady is a robust, young man sitting comfortably in his seat, you suddenly wonder,
if that man will ever offer the poor old lady his seat.

MODULE 2: A CHRISTIAN CALL AND THE THOMASIAN RESPONSE
Page 8 of 18

Have you ever been that rude, ill-mannered person who makes his way in
a queue? Or that insensitive young person who never offered a seat to the poor
lady in a bus?

We can cite many examples in our day-to-day dealings with other people
wherein we can say that there is valuing of ones worth and dignity. As a student,
do you genuinely greet your professors when meeting them outside the
classroom as a sign of respect? Or when a classmate of yours asks for your help
since you are more knowledgeable of one of your subjects, would you offer
him/her your time? When you do tediously your assigned tasks at home, e.g. you
are asked by your parents to regularly wash the dishes every after dinner, do you
accomplish the work wholeheartedly or you complain first?

As a student, give concrete examples on how you can show
Pagmamahal in simple actions.

Catholic Teaching on the Life and Dignity of the Human Person: Every human
person is created in the image and likeness of God. Therefore, each persons life and dignity
must be respected, whether that person is an innocent unborn child in a mothers wombor
even whether that person is a convicted criminal on death row. We believe that every human life
is sacred from conception to natural death, that people are more important than things, and that
the measure of every institution is whether it protects and respects the life and dignity of the
human person.

(USCCB Administrative Committee, Faithful Citizenship: A Catholic
Call to Political Responsibility, p. 13)

Human dignity has faced numerous challenges that awaken the Catholic Church
therefore; previous Popes came up with various encyclicals that address these issues.
To learn more about these encyclicals, visit the link below:

http://www.papalencyclicals.net/

I bet you have learned a lot from the first part of this module, you have gained
insights as regards the topic on human dignity. As students of this prestigious Catholic
University, you should be aware of how the Catholic Church in particular views human
dignity and how the Church defines and explains the moral thought of human dignity.
You as Thomasian students should live your life with dignity.

Sometimes, we give more emphasis on the physical aspect of our body rather
than the more important spiritual aspect of our humanness. Other than our physical
body, we have our soul which gives life to our earthly body. Our intellect and free will
shapes our moral fibers, no matter what choice we make in our lives, good or bad has a
resounding effect or impact in our soul.
We often neglect that being one true Filipino Catholic entails a lot of valuing our
traditions and practices which include celebration of feast day of patron saints, baptism,
first communion, confirmation, ordination of priests, etc. We Catholics usually attend but

MODULE 2: A CHRISTIAN CALL AND THE THOMASIAN RESPONSE
Page 9 of 18

do we really imbibe the very essence of going to Sunday masses? Or do we just attend
the mass for the sake of mere attendance since we oftentimes observe people
attending mass but engaging into gossiping inside the Church, sleeping during the
Homily, texting while inside the chapel, or even group of friends making use of the
sacred place as their venue for meeting, wearing improper dresses or clothes while
attending the mass, attending only a portion of the mass, e.g. during Homily or during
the offertory?

We have also learned that the true concept of Pagmamahal is respecting and
honoring ones worth. Attention and value is given to a person if he is important to you.
You treasure his value, meaning you honor his dignity as a person. Pagmumura on
the other hand is demeaning ones worth. If the person is not important to you, you dont
put any value or he is worthless to you. Every human being is entitled to be valued and
his importance should be acknowledged. Just like you and me, the other people are
also created by God therefore, whether you know the person or not, you should value
him and respect his dignity as a person.

As a Thomasian student, you are therefore challenged to be the modern-day
Good Samaritan, to value other human persons.


Lesson 2 will help you understand how we as Thomasians can respond to this call...

Lesson 2: Thomasian Identity and Response

Thomasian greetings! Now that you have learned the value of man and his
dignity and have discovered who you are and your abilities as an individual, let us now
situate ourselves in a Catholic institution. As it enters its 400 years of existence, the
Royal and Pontifical University of Santo Tomas will mold and direct us as we journey in
the challenges in our life, our studies and be of service to the community as a
Thomasian.

Objectives:

At the end of the lesson, you will be able to:
1. Familiarize the Thomasian Code of Honor and Responsibilities
2. Practice ones roles and responsibilities as a Thomasian through works and
services.








MODULE 2: A CHRISTIAN CALL AND THE THOMASIAN RESPONSE
Page 10 of 18

I. Introduction: Thomasian Code of Honor and Responsibility

Do you still remember when you passed the USTET, and decided to be a
member of the Thomasian family? Being accepted in this university out of the
thousands who took their chances makes you stand out. As you become a member of
the Thomasian community, you have to know and learn by heart the Thomasian code of
honora code that will reflect our duty and responsibility as a Thomasians.

Thomasian Code of Honor

I am a Thomasian. On my honor, I shall strive always to uphold truth and
justice, to make conduct accord with the highest ideals of the University
as a Catholic and Dominican institution.

I shall be honest. I shall not lie, I shall not cheat, I shall not steal. Nor
shall I tolerate the acts of those who do. I shall be true to the Thomasian
values of competence, commitment and compassion. My goal is nothing
less than to incarnate the truth of Christ in my life.

These I profess in faith, I hold firm in hope, I bear witness to in love, by
Gods unending grace.

As Thomasians, we must know our responsibilities, not just as a student in the
University and as a member of your family but also as part of our community and
beloved country. Remember that responsibility is not just as one word. According to
Stephen R. Covey of The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, responsibility is but
two words combined together response and abilitythe ability to choose your
response. Highly proactive people recognize responsibility. They do not blame
circumstances, conditions, or conditioning for their behavior. Their behavior is a product
of their own conscious choice, based on values, rather than a product of their conditions
or based on feelings.

"You must take personal responsibility. You cannot change the circumstances, the
seasons, or the wind, but you can change yourself."
Jim Rohn (A Joseph Campbell Companion)

The University sets and lays down the ideals and values in which the Thomasian
must acquire and develop. One example is RESPONSIBILITY: Responsibility to
discover oneself and be at his/her best, responsibility to serve and reconnect with our
brothers and sisters who are victims of natural disasters, hunger, homeless, illiteracy,
abuse, poor in the heart and soul, losing hope, astray and hurt. This is the time to start
our mission as God wanted us to be in one of His commandment: Love thy neighbor
as I have loved you.

MODULE 2: A CHRISTIAN CALL AND THE THOMASIAN RESPONSE
Page 11 of 18

II. Thomasian Ideals and Inspiration
Now, let us first look at the people who have provided us with the Thomasian
ideals and inspirations, and from where these have originated and developed. They are
St. Dominic, St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Martin De Porres, some Thomasian alumni and
honorary. This is the time to know them and be inspired by their actions:

A. St. Dominic de Guzman and the Dominican Ideals
Do you ever wonder why we dont have classes every August 8 in the University? It
is because we celebrate the feast day of Saint Dominic. He is the founder of the
Dominican Order (O.P.) and is one of the patron saints of the University.
St. Dominic was born to a family of nobility in Caleruega, Spain. He grew up
in a family of saints. Despite of his nobility, the young Dominic always had a heart for
the poor.

The following are the ideals which inspires the Dominican Order and the
Thomasian community.

FIDELITY. St. Dominics fidelity to the Catholic Church inspired the
Dominican ideals of seeking the truth through contemplation and
sharing the fruits of ones contemplation with others.

STUDY. In order to find the truth that one seeks, one has to study not
just for a day, or a year or four years, but continuously. When St.
Dominic founded the Order, among the first things he did was to draw
up a program of study. While its not the purpose of the Order, study
was a necessary means through which the order can achieve its
mission of preaching and saving souls. It was his means to find the
truth. It was his means to fight the enemies of the truth.

PRAYER. St. Dominic knew this very well. To be holy, one has to be in
constant communion with God. Through prayers, ones faith is nurtured
and becomes steadfast in what he/she is doing.

ACTIVE INVOLVEMENT. One truly shares the fruits of his/her
contemplation not in room but among people. Dominicans choose to
actively interact with the people; preaching to them the truth of the
faith. They needed to study. They are committed to the cause of saving
souls and this means being with the people. St. Dominic himself went
from one place to another preaching on foot carrying in his heart the
Dominican motto VERITAS (TRUTH)


MODULE 2: A CHRISTIAN CALL AND THE THOMASIAN RESPONSE
Page 12 of 18

SIMPLICITY and EVANGELICAL POVERTY. The Dominicans of the
13
th
Century were mendicant friars. They lived in simplicity. St. Dominic
himself had to sell his books so as to be able to help alleviate the
condition of the poor (books are important possession back then).
Such detachment from material things made it even easier for the
Dominicans to live a life of holiness.

The life of St. Dominic was one of tireless effort in the service of God. This
athlete of Christ always conquered himself before attempting the reformation of others.
While he journeyed from place to place, he prayed and preached almost
uninterruptedly. His penances were of such a nature as to cause the brethren, who
accidentally discovered them, to fear the effect upon his life. While Dominic's charity
was boundless, he never permitted it to interfere with the stern sense of duty that
guided every action of his life. If he abominated heresy and labored untiringly for its end,
it was because he loved truth and loved the souls of those for whom he labored. He
never failed to distinguish between sin and the sinner. (St. Dominic. http://www.3op.org/stdominic.php)


Now that we have identified St. Dominics ideals, do you think you share the
same values? Knowing how St. Dominic lived a life of principle, what can you do
to live a life similar to his?

B. St. Thomas Aquinas
The life and works of St. Thomas, the patron Saint of the University have
been a source of inspiration to every Thomasian. His faithful observance of the
ideals set by the Dominican Order made him a great student, teacher and a saint.
Besides, being holy and humble with which he lived his life, his other characteristics
that are worth emulating are the following:
INTELLIGENCE. When St. Thomas was five years old, his family placed him
under the care of the Benedictines of Monte Casino. His teachers were
surprised at the progress he made, for he surpassed all his fellow pupils in
learning as well as in the practice of virtue.

PERSEVERANCE and CHASTITY. When he became of age to choose his
state of life, St. Thomas renounced the things of this world and resolved to
enter the Order of St. Dominic in spite of the opposition of his family. In 1243,
at the age of seventeen, he joined the Dominicans of Naples. Some members
of his family resorted to all means over a two year period to break his
constancy. They even went so far as to send an impure woman to tempt him.
But all their efforts were in vain and St. Thomas persevered in his vocation.
As a reward for his fidelity, God conferred upon him the gift of perfect chastity,
which has merited for him the title of the "Angelic Doctor".

MODULE 2: A CHRISTIAN CALL AND THE THOMASIAN RESPONSE
Page 13 of 18

MEEKNESS. After making his profession at Naples, he studied at Cologne
under the celebrated St. Albert the Great. Here he was nicknamed the "dumb
ox" because of his silent ways and huge size, but he was really a brilliant
student. At the age of twenty-two, he was appointed to teach in the same city
and began to publish his first works. After four years he was sent to Paris.
The saint was then a priest. At the age of thirty-one, he received his
doctorate.

PASSION and GREATNESS. St. Thomas not only wrote (his writings filled
twenty hefty tomes characterized by brilliance of thought and lucidity of
language), but he preached often and with greatest fruit. He left the great
monument of his learning, the "Summa Theologica", unfinished, for on his
way to the second Council of Lyons, ordered there by Gregory X, he fell sick
and died at the Cistercian monastery of Fossa Nuova in 1274. St. Thomas
was one of the greatest and most influential theologians of all time. He was
canonized in 1323 and declared Doctor of the Church by Pope Pius V.
(
source:
http://www.catholic.org)

TRUTH. St. Thomas never grew tired of seeking the truth and preaching
about it. Not everyone agreed with him but he continued to persevere. His
commitment to search for the truth did not decrease nor waver.

St. Thomas lived a life following the ideals set by the Dominican Order and in
constant search for the truth. He never stopped studying and doing great works
in honor of God. As a Thomasian, what do you do in order to exhibit the values
of our Patron Saint that you have acquired in your second year of study at our
university?

C. St. Martin De Lima (St. Martin De Porres)
St. Martin De Porres a Dominican priest was declared "Blessed" by Pope
Gregory XVI and he was canonized by Pope John XXIII on May 6th, 1962 before a
crowd of 40,000 people. St. Martin de Porres continues to be greatly revered,
especially in the Americas, for his commitment to racial and social justice.
St. Martin de Porres became the patron saint of African-Americans, barbers,
hairdressers, race relations, and social justice, those with mixed race heritage, poor
people, nurses and health care assistants shown in the following virtues manifested
in his life.



MODULE 2: A CHRISTIAN CALL AND THE THOMASIAN RESPONSE
Page 14 of 18

EQUALITY. St. Martin often challenged his brothers on their racial attitudes.
"Compassion, my dear Brothers, is preferable to cleanliness. Reflect that
with a little soap I can easily clean my bed covers, but even with a torrent
of tears I would never wash from my soul the stain that my harshness
toward the unfortunate would create. - St. Martin De Porres, spoken to his
Dominican brothers when admonished for bringing an elderly, dirty beggar
off the streets and allowing him to take the saint's own bed while he cared
for the sick man.
Equally legendary was his love of animals. He would feed and heal all animals
that came into his vicinity and they understood and obeyed him. (St. Martin De Porres.
http://www.aquinasandmore.com/catholic-articles/St.-Martin-de-Porres-the-Saint-of-the-Broom/article/181)
CHARITY and HUMILITY. St. Martin de Porres' charity made him the patron
saint of social justice. Martin fed, sheltered and doctored hundreds of families.
He also provided the requisite dowry of 4,000 pesos to enable at least 27
poor young women to marry. Last, but not least, he established the
Orphanage and School of the Holy Cross which took in boys and girls of all
classes and taught them trades or homemaking skills. Over much criticism,
he insisted that the school staff be well-paid so that they would give their best
service. He also extended his healing gifts -- going to the servants' quarters
and treating their ailments.

DISCIPLINE. St. Martin's spiritual practices were legendary. He would often
fast for extensive periods of time on bread and water. He loved all-night vigils,
frequently praying by lying down as if crucified, sometimes kneeling but,
miraculously, a foot or more off the floor. He would "take the discipline",
scourging himself with chains, three times a day: for the souls in Purgatory,
for unrepentant sinners, and, finally, for his own soul.

Today, St. Martin de Porres is commemorated by a school building that houses
the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, College of Nursing and College of Rehabilitation
Science of the University of Santo Tomas
A disciplined life coupled with charity and humility is what St. Martin De Porres
have showed the world during his lifetime. Now, the difficulty in our world is so much the
same as when it was his time. In our everyday life we see the same problem of social
injustices and inequality. As a NSTP student, how can you help to lessen the problems
of social injustices and inequality?

There are also other Dominican saints who are known for their pastoral works,
faith and helping the poor in which can be our source of inspiration in our day to day
living such as St. Catherine of Siena- named as Doctor of the Church, St. Antoninus of
Florence- a social reformer, Bartolome de Casas- defender of human rights etc.

MODULE 2: A CHRISTIAN CALL AND THE THOMASIAN RESPONSE
Page 15 of 18


D. Some Thomasian Alumni and Honorary

Mother Theresa is one of the honorary of the University of Santo
Tomas. She devoted herself and life into working among the poorest of
the poor in the slums of Calcutta. Although she had no funds, she
depended on Divine Providence, and started an open-air school for
slum children.
UST is also a home of famous heroes such as Dr. Jose Rizal,
Apolinario Mabini, Marcelo H. del Pilar, Antonio Luna and others.
Philippine presidents like Manuel L. Quezon, Diosdado Macapagal and
others are also alumni of the University.

It makes us feel proud and privileged to know that there are great men and women
who have walked the same path, hallways and corridors like you in this university. As
Prof. Evelyn A. Songco, Ph. D puts it, UST is a university of heroes and saints and it
made her wonder how the University will bring forth other Thomasians who will serve as
inspirations to others.

Do you know other Thomasians worth emulating? What qualities do they
possess that makes them worthy Thomasians?

E. The University of Santo Tomas as Catholic Educational Institution

The University as an educational institution molds the students Thomasian identity.
To know more about the long history of the Royal and Pontifical Catholic of the
University of Santo Tomas you can visit this link: www. ust.edu.ph

You can read the achievement of our Thomasian students and see if you know
some of them, just look for the Alumni link: http://www.ust.edu.ph/alumni/overview/

Go USTE!
Proud to Be Thomasian!


III: THE THOMASIAN THREE CORE VALUES

The Three (3) Core Values are morals that must be developed in very Thomasian.
These values distinguish us from other universities and provide a distinction that marks
us as we strive for globalization. These are the three core values: Competence,
Compassion and Commitment.





MODULE 2: A CHRISTIAN CALL AND THE THOMASIAN RESPONSE
Page 16 of 18

A. COMPETENCE

Every Thomasian should manifest competence. Our life and work should
always be an example of adherence to truth and intellectual creativity. We are all
expected to be specialist in our chosen field in discipline. This means that as a
student, you are expected to study well in preparation for the kind of life you wish to
lead in the future. And since your future starts now, you have to strive to become a
competent student.

Being a competent student means doing ones best. Are you satisfied with just
doing the least because it is the easiest? Being the best that you can be does not
mean competing with each other, it means competing with yourself.

You are a Thomasian! Be the best that you can be!

B. COMPASSION

Every Thomasian lives not only for himself/herself, but also for the people in
his/her family, community and country. This means that you and I should also look
into the concerns of others. Compassion is passion that is directed towards people
in need. It enables us to focus on others and not on ourselvesgiving our time,
talent and treasure and if necessary, to self sacrifice.

Competence, coupled with CHRISTIAN COMPASSION ensures the reign of
Gods love and mercy. You and I are called to serve our less fortunate brothers and
sisters with competence and compassionate hearts. As a student, you can do this by
being involved in community service programs in your parish, school or locality.

C. COMMITMENT

Every Thomasian is expected to exercise his/her work, profession, or mission
in life with deep COMMITMENT. You and I are called to give ourselves fully to the
ideals that we, Thomasians, hold dear as we make our presence felt in the world of
work. By the examples of our lives we should serve as courageous Christian
witnesses, together making Gods creative, redeeming and renewing presence felt
anywhere we are.

Following the example of our Patron Saint, Thomas Aquinas, we should
commit ourselves to search for the truth unceasingly. In this day and age when truth
can be distorted using information technology, every Thomasian should commit to
the pursuit of truth always.

Competence, Compassion and Commitment are the values we should all
strive to live up as hallmarks of our identity. These are values we can use as we
take our first steps into the worldknowing that we are Thomasians, that name

MODULE 2: A CHRISTIAN CALL AND THE THOMASIAN RESPONSE
Page 17 of 18

comes with the responsibility of constant striving to carry out works of greatness in
honor of our God.

Do you think you already possess these values? Among these values, what
would you like to develop more in yourself now?


Thomasian and NSTP

Tired of waking up early in the morning every weekend, preparing all things
needed for community service, having long travels, feeling nervous and scared? These
are the reactions and emotions felt by some NSTP Thomasian students when meeting
and helping different kinds of people through different kinds of community services
including teaching in the different partner communities of the University. Although for a
very short span of time, these mixed feelings will fade away when its time to say
goodbye. For every volunteer, there is a realization that will be left in their hearts and
minds. It is the reality that we need each other and we are blessings to one another.

As you enrolled in the UST NSTP Community Service Training Program (CWTS)
or Literacy Training Program (LTS) you have already engaged yourself in volunteerism.
Looking forward to do service that will suit your ability to serve others while studying, not
minding what grade you will be receiving in this two courses, but having the thought of
sharing what you have and showing what you can do with compassion, competence,
and commitment for the sake of others, not asking for anything in return, that is self-
sacrifice and volunteering.

To conclude, we are all created in the image and likeness of God. As His
children, He bestowed on each one of us a mission- a mission that we are all
responsible to be of service to our least brothers and sisters and be stewards of all
the things He created.

As Thomasians we are always in search for truth in this challenging and
complicated world: a Thomasian who lives and is guided by the inspiration of St.
Thomas our patron saint, and by the preachings of St. Dominic and the long history of
our University. We have our own identity as a Thomasian, we are compassionate,
competent and committed.










MODULE 2: A CHRISTIAN CALL AND THE THOMASIAN RESPONSE
Page 18 of 18

REFERENCES


Books

De la Cruz Jr. Filemon, I., OP. Catechism for Filipino Catholics Catholic
Bishops Conference of the Philippines. Intramuros, Manila, ECCE and Word & Life
Publications: 1997. pp. 18

Hornedo, Florentino H. Ph.D. Pagmamahal and Pagmumura: Essays Quezon
City, Office of Research and Publications: 1997. pp. 148-153

De Oliver, Juan. Declaracion de los Mandamientos de la Ley de Dios: 1585-
1590



Websites

Church Encyclicals. http://www.papalencyclicals.net

Economic Justice for All Pastoral Letter on Catholic Social Teaching and the U.S.
Economy U.S. Catholic Bishops, 1986. #28.
http://www.osjspm.org/economic_justice_for_all.aspx

Parable of Good Samaritan.http://www.jesuswalk.com/lessons/10 25-37.htm

St. Dominic. http://www.3op.org/stdominic.php

St. Dominic, St. Thomas and St. Martin De Porres. http://www.catholic.org

St. Martin De Porres... http://www.aquinasandmore.com

USCCB Administrative Committee, Faithful Citizenship: A Catholic Call to Political
Responsibility, p. 13. http://www.usccb.org/sdwp/catholicteachingprinciples.shtml

UST Achievements.http://alumni.ust.edu.ph