The Ateneo de Manila University celebrated a community mass dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, the school’s patroness, and to welcome the 31st University President, Fr. Roberto “Bobby” C. Yap, S.J. on October 1, 2020.

The mass was presided by Fr Bienvenido Nebres SJ, with Fr. Jose Ramon T. Villarin, S.J. and Fr. Roberto C Yap, S.J. as the concelebrants. 

Fr. Yap talked about how he never thought about meeting the Ateneo de Manila Community in a virtual way, where he was talking into a camera and the rest of the community tuning in from their screens. 

“This is also not how I thought I would get to know you, me speaking to the camera while all of you tune in online, it’s weird, to say the least,” said Fr. Yap.

He remarked that the Ateneo Community can adapt quickly and thrive in unusual situations such as this pandemic. He reminded the community that we live in a world full of “volatile uncertain, complex and ambiguous situations,” but that we must be ready to face these situations.

“Life throws us curveballs and we must confront these creatively and quickly” he added. 

He called on the whole community to work together to “ensure that Ateneo will continue to fulfill its educational mission” in the coming days, months, and years. He reveals that three central goals are integral for the university’s future

“The Jesuit Mission is our map to push Ateneo de Manila’s frontiers further, it is a map that directs us to reach new horizons in service for more lasting value, it is a map that seeds groundbreaking ideas and concepts that will allow Ateneo Education to face challenges and adapt to change.” he added.

“Reimagine, Transform, Commit” he summarized the work that will be done in the coming years in three words.

He wants the community to reimagine the institution’s future in the face of complex and difficult challenges ahead; to transform the institution and ourselves to be responsive to change in a creative innovative, and sustainable way; to strengthen our commitment to our faith and in being men and women for and with others.

He reminds us all of us to follow Mary’s example of “devotion, magnanimity, and generosity” especially during the month of October. 

He ended his address by reminding the community that despite our distance from one another, we still continue to work together “as one community to build a more resilient and more engaged university for the future.”

You may watch the mass here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4tu6BDyxP50 and the Fr. Bobby Yap’s address here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSNy9AmuCPU

---

Jermaine Ocampo