University President to graduates: 'Your diploma is a missioning document'

By Natalie Hazel Quimlat

"You are, first of all, sent to seek the Kingdom of God."

This was the message of Ateneo de Naga University President Fr. Aristotle Dy, SJ at the Baccalaureate Mass of the 75th Commencement Exercises last May 29.

Addressing thousands of graduates at the University Covered Courts, Dy spoke of what it truly means to be men and women for others. He urged the graduates to be compassionate, gentle and kind as they enter a world that is wounded by polarization, and lack of wisdom and truth.

"The world needs compassionate people," he said. "People whose intelligence is guided by conscience."

Dy also called them to be persons through whom others will encounter God.

"The challenge is not only to do things for others, but to become persons through whom others experience the love of God."

He also spoke of discernment. Closing his homily, Dy cautioned the graduates that the road ahead will not be easy. Jesus did not promise clarity nor instant success, rather the promise is this: "God will not be absent in your searching".

So ask, seek and knock, he said.

"Atenean formation speaks not only of excellence, but of discernment. The ability to recognize where God is calling you to love more deeply and serve more generously."

In this age of AI, Dy also told the graduates that "the deepest test of [their] education will be how much humanity [they] preserve".

University President Fr. Aristotle Dy, S.J. presides over the Baccalaureate Mass at the Ateneo de Naga University Covered Courts, May 29, Friday. (Photo credit: Ateneo de Naga University/Facebook)