Baccalaureate Masses are held to give thanks and glory for all the blessings received all school year long. Our school held our baccalaureate mass at San Antonio De Padua Parish - Tuburan, Cebu, Philippines.
Majority of the population of the public schools here in the Philippines are Roman Catholics. That is why schools anually held a baccalaureate mass before any graduation - elementary, high school and college.
I have attended baccalaureate masses a lot every time I graduate, but this is the first baccalaureate mass that I attend as a public school teacher. I am no longer the graduate, rather, I am the teacher leading my learners. How amazing how time flies so fast indeed. I am so happy being able to be in this experience.
The priest highlighted to give thanks to the Lord for surviving the entire six years in high school. He reminded everyone about the struggles they faced and now, they are finally almost near the end of their high school era.
The priest highlighted that the Lord did not leave each of them as they faced life's struggles and some struggles in school. From countless sleepless nights due to studying, creating their projects, doing research, and so much more, they have finally survived all of it.
The mass is really meaningful and the priest was really on point on all the words on his homily. He also reminded the learners to be grateful for all the people around them that helped them survive high school.
He reminded the learners to thank their friends and classmates, who has been with them throughout their entire six years in high school, to thank us, their teachers for all the knowledge and lessons we have imparted to them, to thank their parents who are the ones financially and emotionally helping them out, but to never forget to thank the Lord for all the courage and resilience which kept them going.
This mass was intented to all the graduates for them to realize how blessed they are to be able to graduate with the help of everyone around them and sometimes other people who become blessings in disguise.
I cam here as a class adviser, I sat beside my learners, my class advisory, my Grade 12 Unity Batch 2024-2025. I can't help but cry happy tears knowing that they are a few steps in reaching their dreams and that they are so much blessed that they have all of us who constantly support them every step of the way.
The priest blessed everyone and wish them good luck and congratulations as they are finishing Grade12 soon. Some are pursuing college, meanwhile some are choosing to be employed to suffice daily needs of their family members. It pains me every time I hear a student of mine not pursuing college because of "poverty" but if you are really focused on your goal to graudate, dreams can never be hindered by poverty. Hopefully they will soon realize that.
The mass ended after an hour and thirty minutes. We all felt blessed and much more enlightened.
After the mass, we took some class photos.
Then some photos with the Grade 12 Teachers of Tuburan National High School.
We took another photo with my class just outside the church.
What a great way to gave thanks for this school year's end. Ciao! ❤️