Tagaytay City—Students, faculty, staff, and alumni of the Divine Word Institute of Mission Studies (DWIMS) gathered for the Mass for the Holy Spirit at the DWIMS Chapel last August 10, 2024, with Fr. Samuel N. Agcaracar, SVD, DWIMS Director, as presider and homilist.
Fr. Agcaracar’s homily resonated deeply with the attendees, offering a powerful message for the upcoming academic year 2024-2025.
Fr. Agcaracar began by welcoming both returning and new students, emphasizing the importance of the Mass for the Holy Spirit as a spiritual kickoff to their academic journey at DWIMS. Departing from the usual gospel reading for the occasion, Fr. Agcaracar chose to reflect on the feast of St. Lawrence, a deacon and martyr of the early Church whose life exemplified the very essence of selfless giving.
Drawing from the Gospel, Fr. Agcaracar highlighted the profound teaching of Jesus: "Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit." He elaborated on this, explaining that true fulfillment in life is found not in selfish pursuits of wealth, status, or power, but in selfless living and serving others. This, he said, is the path to gaining everything that truly matters.
"Being selfless means our eyes are always turned to the good of the other. It means we are fully committed to the service of God and our neighbor, no matter the cost. …This form of selfish (and) self centered living, which is humanly tempting for all of us, is actually the path to losing everything that is truly good," Fr. Agcaracar said.
Nevertheless, he acknowledged how difficult it is to truly give, saying that “this profound teaching of our Lord is difficult to understand without a gift of grace.”
Fr. Agcaracar explained how St. Lawrence was entrusted with distributing alms to the needy in Rome. According to him, the saint boldly declared the poor as “the true treasures of the Church” when confronted by the Roman prefect demanding the Church's wealth. His ultimate sacrifice, facing death by fire, was a powerful act of joyful giving for the sake of Christ.
Connecting the life of St. Lawrence with the mission of DWIMS, Fr. Agcaracar reminded the students of their own call to self-giving in their mission studies. "Your self-giving is worthy," he affirmed, acknowledging the students' dedication to their academic and spiritual formation.
As the homily progressed, Fr. Agcaracar reflected on the theme of the recent SVD General Chapter in Rome, "Let your light shine before others: Faithful and creative disciples in a wounded world." He emphasized the need for creative and faithful disciples who can respond to the challenges of a world that has been wounded since its beginning. This, he stressed, requires the transforming power of the Holy Spirit, whom he called upon to guide the DWIMS community throughout the academic year.
Fr. Agcaracar concluded his homily with a call to action, urging the students and faculty to embrace the challenges ahead with joy and hope. "May the Holy Spirit open our hearts and minds to the challenge of self-transformation so that we can also share our own little lives with the world," he said. "In this way, we can respond to the challenge of healing the wounds in our lives, our institutions, the Church, and society."
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The Mass for the Holy Spirit served not only as a ceremonial beginning to the academic year but as a profound reminder of the values that DWIMS stands for—selflessness, service, and the transformative power of mission. As the DWIMS community embarks on another year of mission studies, Fr. Agcaracar's words will inspire and guide them in their pursuit of a life dedicated to God and others.
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Enroll now at the Divine Word Institute of Mission Studies (DWIMS) for AY 2024-2025!
DWIMS offers the following programs:
🎓 Doctorate Program
🎓 Licentiate Program
📖 Certificate in Mission Studies (CMS) Program
Ready to enroll? There are two ways to begin.
1️⃣ Fill up the enrollment form and choose the program you wish to enroll in.
https://forms.gle/r4xgv4pxihXaKzT19
Access the Google Form link and submit your details to begin the enrollment process.
2️⃣ Visit the DWIMS Academic Office and look for Ms. Chameal Santos (HR—DWIMS).
📍 Divine Word Institute of Mission Studies (DWIMS), SVD Road, Brgy. San Jose, Tagaytay City
Whichever way you begin, we will assist you regarding the requirements you will need to submit.
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