A Thumbnail of
UNO-Recoletos
Solidarity Day History*
Solidarity Day History*
Edited and Enriched by Dennis Madrigal
Blogger’s Note: *The
original version of UNO-Recoletos Solidarity Day History was compiled by the
Campus Ministry Office. I personally took the liberty in editing and enriching
the original version in my capacity as the Head of Solidarity Day Academic
Events as part of the materials to be used for the Solidarity Day 2013 Quiz
Bowl.
The beginning…
The
Solidarity Day celebration in the University of Negros Occidental -Recoletos is
the brainchild of Fr. Ferdinand “Soysoy” Hernando, OAR, then a deacon assigned
here. With the Tenth World Youth Day in Manila in view, he perceived the call
to build a solid University community
imbued with the Recollect spirit. Thus, on August 16, 1992, the First
Solidarity Day was celebrated with the theme: “Towards Building Community (1).” It was attended by Religious
Education (REED) students, ROTC and Grade School faculty members.
Seeing
the need of follow-up, a year after, on August 8, 1993 the Second Solidarity
Day carried the same theme: “Towards
Building Community (2).”
In
1994, the Third Solidarity Day was celebrated carrying the theme, “Ang Paghiliusa sang Pamilya sa Subong Nga
Panahon,” expressing our unity with the Church in the Philippines in
promoting and preserving the integrity of Christian family against the
Anti-Life Statements and Acts during the Cairo Conference.
The world Youth Day
in sight
From
then on, Solidarity has always ridden astride the local and universal Church’s
and the Recollect themes and moral current issues and festivities. Like in
1995, the Church celebrated the World Youth day here in the Philippines and the
Fourth Solidarity day carried the WYD’s theme: “As the Father has sent Me, So I am sending you.”
The
first four solidarity celebrations were under the chaplaincy of Fr. Ronel P.
Gealon, OAR whose efforts made it possible to make this religious event a
university tradition.
The “Golden”
Solidarity Day
On
December 9, 1996, the Fifth Solidarity Day was held, close to the date of the
foundation date of the Order of Augustinian Recollects (December 5) as the
University commemorated its 50th
Golden Jubilee year (1946-1996). That year was indeed a golden Solidarity Day
celebration to be treasured by the members of the academic community. It was
inspired by its theme: “Ginintuang
Pamana: Sama-Samang Paglalakbay ng Pamilyang UNO-Rian na May Iisang Puso at
Isip Tungo sa Panibagong Simbahan”.
Preparing for the
Jubilee Year
Moving
out from its usual venue, the University Gymnasium, the Sixth Solidarity Day
was convened at the Amphitheater in 1997. A wider space and horizon helped in
welcoming Jesus Christ guided by the theme, “Si
Kristo, Abyan Ko Sa Gihapon” in preparation for the coming of the Jubilee
Year celebration.
The
preparation continues in 1998 with the Seventh Solidarity Day. The event
recognizes the Presence of the Holy Spirit as its theme invokes: “Mabuhay ang Espiritu Santo, Laging Gabay ng
Pamilyang Rekoleto tungo sa Ikatlong Milenyo.”
In
1999, the hectic ministry schedules of the University suspended the Solidarity
Day event. The joyful hoorays and jubilant celebrations were saved for the
Great Jubilee Year 2000!
The
Year 2000 gives tribute to the Holy Trinity — the Father, Son and Holy Spirit! The
Eight Solidarity reflects on the theme, “Kari
Kita, Maghiusa Sa Amay, Anak Kag Espiritu Santo sa Pagpanglakaton sa Pagtuo,
Paglaum kag Paghigugma.”
Inspired by Diocesan
Synod
The
celebration continues as it also encourages to journey within or into depth of
life, of our selves, of our faith. Faced with the challenge of the Second
Bacolod Diocesan Synod in 2001, the Ninth Solidarity Day embraces and accepts
this challenge in the theme, “Palawod
Ta!”
The Family and Youth
In
2002, as the Universal Church held the World Meeting of Families here in the
Philippines, the Tenth Solidarity Day took the theme: “Pamilya, Magpakatotoo Ka! Magpatotoo Ka!” The theme underscored
the vital role of the family in the faith formation of the youth on which the
future of the Church rests. The celebration nourished the spiritual growth of
oneself in communion with God and others especially the family.
Reaffirming the
Recollect spirit
Continuing
and sustaining the Recollect spirit of the University’s Solidarity Day
celebration, the Eleventh Solidarity Day in 2003 reaffirmed its Recollect
identity with its theme, “Kabataang
Rekoleto, Be Iba!”
With the National
Youth Day and Recoletos 400
In
solidarity with the whole Philippine Church in celebrating the National Youth
Day (NYD) hosted by the Diocese of Bacolod in 2004, the Twelfth Solidarity Day
carried the National Youth Day theme, “We
wish to see Jesus!” The acceptance of the NYD Cross within the celebration
added more meaning and significance to the religious event.
Due
to very demanding campus ministry activities and Recoletos 400 Celebration,
Solidarity Day did not take place in 2005. From then on, the Solidarity Day
Organizing Committee decided to hold the event every two years. The decision
was positively welcomed by the Religious Education faculty members and Campus
Ministry staff. With this change of schedule, the Solidarity Day Organizing
Committee will have more time in preparing this important religious activity.
Two
years after, the Thirteenth Solidarity Day event was held on January 26, 2007
at UNO-R gymnasium. Integrating the spirit of the celebration of the 400 Years
of Recollect Presence in the Philippines and Asia, the event took the theme, “I Leave You My Peace, My Peace I Give You.”
The Holy Spirit and
Solidarity Day
One
of the favorite themes of the Solidarity Day celebrations is the presence and
work of the Holy Spirit in transforming the lives of the young people.
he
first Solidarity Day to reflect on the Holy Spirit was in 1998 during which the
Church prepared herself for the Jubilee Year.
Again,
ten years after in 2009, the Holy Spirit became the center of the celebration
of the Fourteenth Solidarity Day which adapted its theme, “Receive the Power of the Holy Spirit and Be My Witnesses!” from
the spirit of World Youth Day in Australia. The event was held on January 16,
2009 with the University Gymnasium as its venue. The participants were
encouraged to be cognizant of the active role of the Holy Spirit in their
lives.
Faith and Youth
Celebrating
the CBCP Year of the Youth, University celebrated the Fifteenth Solidarity Day.
Adapting the theme of the World Youth Day 2011 in Spain, “Planted and Built up in Jesus Christ, Firm in the Faith,” the
Solidarity Day event took place on January 15, 2011.
Emerging as
University Youth Gathering
It’s
very important to note that Solidarity Day originally included all members of
the academic community — faculty, staff, students
and administrators. But beginning 1997, the event slowly began to focus on the
students, emerging as University Youth Gathering as the years unfold. The shift
was not just for mere practical reasons but more profoundly, the University has
become more conscious of and committed to the emerging youth ministry in the
Church. From then on, the Solidarity Day celebrations became one of the potent
and creative ways that the University organized to minister youth.
Through
the years, the Solidarity Day celebrations had been faithful to its very objective
in bringing the young members of University together in the spirit of the World
Youth Day; fostering unity, friendship, and fellowship; deepening and
celebrating their Christian faith.
Every Solidarity Day event is an invitation and opportunity for the University, through the Religious Education Department and Campus Ministry, to creatively assist student-participants recognize more and affirm their baptismal promises, develop a deep love for Christ and to be firm in their faith and t and celebrate their faith through catechesis, reflection, worship and reception of the sacraments, especially the Holy Eucharist and Reconciliation.
Solidarity Day and
the Year of Faith
The
Year 2013 is a very special year for the Sixteenth Solidarity Day because it
will be inspired and guided by two important religious celebrations — Year of Faith (2012-2013) and
Recollect Centenary as an Order (1912-2012).
For
the first time in its twenty-year history, the Solidarity Day will be an
overnight event in order to celebrate meaningfully and fruitfully the spirit of
the Year of Faith and Recollect Centenary. The theme of the event will be “Pamatan-ong Rekoleto: Magtubo kay Kristo,
Ibantala ang Pagtu-o.”
After
months of planning, consultation and preparation, the Sixteenth Solidarity Day
is scheduled on March 1 – 2, 2013, and the University Amphitheater will be its
venue.
Among
the highlights of the event include:
a) Academic Events
b) Walk for Faith
c) Eucharistic Celebration
d) Catechesis
e) Group Sharing
f) Faith Testimonies
g) Solidarity Day Bread Sharing
h) Cine Recoleto Short Film Presentation
i) Faith Concert
More
than 2,000 participants are expected to attend this religious youth gathering
which will again reaffirm the hope and confidence of the Church in the young
people. “She hopes in them and in their energy. She needs their vitality in
order to continue living the mission entrusted to her by Christ with renewed
enthusiasm,” Pope Benedict XVI stated.
To
enlighten and inspire our youth participants on the theme of the Solidarity
Day, two speakers will grace the event. The first speaker is Rev. Fr. Jorge
Peligro, OAR, the University’s Vice President for Academics who will delve on
the topic, “Pamantan-ong Rekoleto,
Magtubo kay Kristo.” The second speaker is Fr. Peterson Tieng, LRMS who
will share his thoughts on “Pamatan-ong
Rekoleto: Ibantala ang Pagtu-o.” Each talk will be followed by a group sharing
and later faith testimonies of invited students.
The
Religious Education department Faculty Members and Campus Ministry Staff
composed the Solidarity Day 2013 Organizing Committee with Rev. Fr. Abraham Latoza, OAR as Executive Director and
Rev. Fr. Cornelio Moral, OAR as Overall Chairman.
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