A second memorial lecture in honor of Fr Miguel A Bernad, S.J took place at the Xavier University Little Theater on January 25, celebrated along with the 400th anniversary of Fr Matteo Ricci, SJ
The event started off with the launching of the Fr Miguel Bernad Memorabilia Collection held at the 5th Floor of the XU Library. The ribbon cutting was done by the guest speakers Fr Daniel J. McNamara, SJ and Professor Emmanuel Luis Romanillos, assisted by XU President Fr Jose Ramon “Jett” Villarin, SJ and the South East Asia Rural Social Leadership Institute former director and former dean of the College of Agriculture Dr Anselmo B Mercado.
The memorabilia collection includes books, serials, 5000 envelopes containing articles, 579 monographs, and 431 selected writings and cover research materials in History and Language. Some of these materials were acquired through donation from family and friends.
During the welcome address, Fr Jett advised the attendees to ready their handkerchief as they would need it throughout the speakers’ lectures. First, to wipe nosebleeds during Fr. McNamara’s lecture and then to wipe tears when Prof. Romanillos receives his turn.
True enough, Fr. McNamara’s lecture titled “Faith, Science and Religion” dealt with Physics, Mathematics and theological reflections on Science and Theology. Wit and humor made the lecture a fun, learning experience. Fr. McNamara shared that every time he asks the ladies what first comes to their minds when they hear the word cosmology, women almost always answer cosmetics. He related in his modulated voice that cosmos means order and, in a way, cosmetic could be a right answer because women use it to find “order that is not there in nature.”
On the other hand, Prof Romanillos’ lecture on “Language and History” and centered on eminent missionaries in the Negros Island and Misamis District particularly on Fr. Mariano Bernad OAR (1838-1915) and Fr. Mateo Bernad OAR (1842-1889). The audience laughed all throughout the lecture due to Prof. Romanillos’ comedic way of describing events and his choice of words.
The first Fr Miguel Bernad Memorial Lecture was done last year with Dr. Ambeth Ocampo as the guest speaker.