Text by Xyla Mercedita Gualberto | Photo by Thieza C Verdijo
Old and new faces came together in the Southeast Asia Rural Social Leadership Institute (SEARSOLIN) grounds on September 5 to commemorate the 31st death anniversary of Fr William F Masterson SJ.
Fr Masterson, a champion of rural development, was the founder of the Xavier University College of Agriculture (XUCA), including the Manresa Farm Complex, the Xavier Science Foundation (XSF) and SEARSOLIN.
Dubbed as the great visionary, Fr Masterson is known for making bold, courageous moves that were often questioned in his time. Decades after, his works are still evidently significant to the needs of the present.
The commemoration started with a Eucharistic celebration presided by Xavier University president, Fr Roberto C Yap SJ.
In his homily, Yap noted how, like Jesus, Fr Masterson was able to distinguish the essential from the non-essentials. And that the heart of his service came from his love for his Lord.
A short program followed, attended by the alumni, students and past deans of XUCA, the past directors of SEARSOLIN, together with friends and guests who wished to honor Fr Masterson and his great legacy.
The XUCA alumni officers were inducted by Dr Virginia Yacapin, Director of the XU alumni office. Alumni president-elect Atty Albert Lagamon gave his words of acceptance. Speeches of remembering were given by Dr Anselmo Mercado and Fernando Arguelles, whose lives have been deeply touched by Fr Masterson. The program was closed by the new SEARSOLIN director and current XSF director Roel Ravanera.
Fr Masterson once said “My friends, only those who can see the invisible, God in man and his providential actuations, can do the impossible.”
The living legacy of Fr Masterson, the community of leaders whom he inspired to work for rural development through agriculture, honored him by singing his favorite song “The Impossible Dream.”
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The blessing of the new Fr Masterson mini exhibit followed. The mini exhibit can be found in the SEARSOLIN lobby.