The Immaculate Conception Chapel of Xavier University was renamed the University Church of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Sept 8, Feast of the Nativity of Mary.
The renaming of the Chapel is part of the celebration of Xavier University’s Ruby Jubilee, and is the University’s way of being one with the Local Church, which is also celebrating the 80th anniversary of the establishment of the Diocese of Cagayan de Oro. The first Bishop of Cagayan de Oro was James T G Hayes SJ who was the founder of Ateneo de Cagayan in 1933.
A Marian liturgical concert by various university choirs including the high school preceded the unveiling and blessing of the plaque bearing the new name of XU’s main house of prayer. Most Rev Antonio J Ledesma SJ DD, Archbishop of Cagayan de Oro, presided the Eucharistic Celebration.
“I think we have a few reasons why we want to call it a church instead of a chapel,” says
Fr Charlie Cenzon SJ, university chaplain.
Considering its size, the Immaculate Conception, which seats between 800 and 900, would hardly fit the description of a chapel as a small place for Christian worship.
He adds that, “the [Immaculate Conception] Chapel has traditionally not been for the regular and exclusive use and participation of XU students, faculty, staff, parents, and alumni.”
This is in contrast to the other chapels inside the University, namely, the Loyola House chapel for the regular use of the Jesuit community, the RA chapel for the regular use of the Assumption sisters, and the Haggerty House chapel which was used by the pre- novices/candidates.
Moreover, Fr Charlie notes that the XU Chapel located in the heart of the campus holds three masses on regular days and four masses on Sundays, something that is unlikely of other chapels. He also relates that the other Ateneos, particularly Ateneo de Manila, Ateneo de Naga and Ateneo de Zamboanga, refer to their main places of worship as university churches.
However, the renaming of the Chapel into a University Church is not the same as establishing a Parish.
“The XU Church will not become a Parish,” clarifies XU President Fr Roberto “Bobby” Yap SJ. “So the sacraments of baptism and matrimony will not be celebrated at the University Church.”
Still, the renaming of the University Chapel as a Church sends out a message of welcoming all the faithful of the Catholic community in Cagayan de Oro.
“I think the fact that it will now be called a church emphasizes the universal nature of this church as a Catholic community, the people of God in Cagayan de Oro, not just of Xavier University,” says Fr Charlie. “Everyone and anyone can come and pray and celebrate with us.”
For the XU community, the occasion of the renaming of the University Church was a “Reminder that our main task is the formation of the heart, grounded in our love for Jesus and service to the Church,” said Fr Bobby. He adds, “Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan is and always will be at the service of the Local Church of Cagayan de Oro.”
The Immaculate Conception Chapel is named in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the patroness of Xavier University. It was blessed and dedicated on Dec 8, 1954 by Archbishop Hayes himself.
Held after the renaming rite was the launching of the coffee table book, “Jesuits in Mindanao: The Mission” published by Muse Books. The 300-page hardback traces the journey of the Jesuits in their missionary work that is Mindanao. One of the Jesuits’ indelible contributions to the island has been the establishment of academic institutions, Xavier University being one of them.