LCUP FIESTA 2023 IS CELEBRATED IN HONOR OF ST. AUGUSTINE AND ST. MONICA
August 25, 2023
The whole LCUP Community expressed praise and thanksgiving to its patron saints – St. Augustine of Hippo and St. Monica by commemorating their feast days through the LCUP Fiesta 2023, which happened on August 25, 2023 at the LCUP Main Campus, City of Malolos, Bulacan.
The Catholic Church officially observes the Feasts of Saint Monica and St. Augustine on August 27th and 28th, respectively. It is a tradition in LCUP to honor these saints annually, alongside the Mother Church, by designating honorary festival chairs coined as Hermano and Hermana, who co-organize institutional religious formation activities from the beginning of the academic year to the Feasts of Saint Monica and St. Augustine.
Led by this year’s Hermano Mayor, Dr. Mark Rey C. Santos, VP for Research, Publications, and Linkages, and Hermana Mayor, Dr. Ma. Cristina E. Zulueta, Dean of the College of Medicine, LCUP Fiesta 2023 started with a lively Agape for the morning session intended for kumustahan (socialization), kasiyahan (enjoyment), and kainan (banquet). Fun activities relevant to the celebration followed through, such as a dance activity called Indakan led by the Thagaste Music Ministry Animators wherein the whole LCUP Community was encouraged to dance to the song Agustino Ako, a Quiz Bee about the life of St. Augustine, St. Monica, and the history of LCUP, and the “Bring Me” Game. Various Fiesta Booths, including Panghimagas (desserts), Tusok-Tusok (skewered street foods), Piktyur-Piktyur (photo booth), and Simoy Pasko (Christmas delicacies) were installed, as few of the highlights of the festivity.
A Talk on Augustinian Spirituality gathered the community for the afternoon session provided by the Augustinian Priest Guest Speaker, Rev. Fr. Rick Anthony Reyes, OSA. Father Reyes emphasized the Realm of Spirituality proposed by St. Augustine, where one encounters its essential principles – the Augustinian Charism and the Augustinian Values. He also encouraged the community to be lifelong learners who continuously seek the will of God in their lives.
A Feast Day Mass followed, presided by Rev. Fr. Reyes and concelebrated by the University Chaplains, namely, Fr. Yohanes Valentinus Ratusao Koten and Fr. Hendrikus Haju Liwun. The Eucharistic Celebration ended with a Thanksgiving Speech by the University President, Sr. Niceta M. Vargas, OSA, Ph.D., and the announcement of the Hermano y Hermana Mayores 2024.
The Hermanidad is transferred to Dr. Olivia Almario, Dean of the College of Arts, Sciences and Education, and Dr. Joseph Espino, Dean of the College of Information Technology and Engineering. The LCUP Fiesta 2023 concluded with a Solemn Procession in honor of St. Augustine and St. Monica.
A series of Novena and Solemnity Masses commenced from August 16 to August 23, and the Basic Education Department led a Bisperas Mayores on the afternoon before the Feast Day celebration.
