By AJ Alarcon

On Wednesday, June 30, the Ateneo Senior High School (ASHS) community gathered at the third-floor of the Formation and Learning Center (FLC) for the celebration of the St. Ignatius Mass and Schola Brevis as an introduction to Academic Year (AY) 2025–2026.

Held ahead of the Feast of St. Ignatius of Loyola on July 31, the school-wide Mass invited the community to reflect on the Ignatian principles that will guide them throughout the academic year.

The mass was presided over by ASHS chaplain Fr. Noel Bava, SJ.

In line with the celebration, students were also encouraged to donate school supplies for the children of the school’s custodians and security personnel.

The Ignatian Way

In his homily, Fr. Noel Bava, SJ used “Gen Z” expressions to relate the life of St. Ignatius to the students.

“He was a simp,” he stated, narrating how St. Ignatius — formally a soldier who wanted to win battles for a noblewoman — underwent a spiritual transformation and became devoted to Jesus and Mary.

“Simp by the world’s standards is often faithfulness in God’s eyes,” he added.

The chaplain also described the saint, who became a beggar and wept during confession, as “cringe.”

“Cringe in the eyes of the world is courage in God’s wisdom,” he said.

Finally, he described St. Ignatius as “woke in the Gospel way,” referencing the saint’s compassion toward the poor, prostitutes, and plague victims.

“Woke by the world’s reckoning is compassion in the eyes of Christ,” he noted.

He ended his homily by encouraging the students to follow the example of St. Ignatius, who “suffers and loves like Christ.”

Schola Brevis

Following a break after the Mass, the Grade 11 students returned to the FLC for their Schola Brevis formation session, while Grade 12 students proceeded to their classrooms for a separate formation activity led by their respective class moderators.

The program introduced students to the school administrators and their roles, as well as key offices that the students may avail services from.

In her opening speech for the Grade 12 students, ASHS principal Mrs. Rosanna Borja shared advice based on insights from her former students.

She emphasized that students should turn to one another, make real human connections, and stop seeking validation based on academic performance.

“These are external things. They don’t define who you are,” she stated.

She also provided students with an official email address through which they may raise concerns directly to the administration.

The Senior High Orientation Seminar (SHOrSem) 2025, a welcoming event for the Grade 11 students, followed the formation sessions.