Fr. Abe Visited Centro Escolar University in Mendiola

Bro. Jayson Leones, one of the students-leader of Centro Escolar University in Mendiola, with Fr. Abe Arganiosa, CRS inside the University's Chaplain's Office.

The handsome young man with me in the photo above is no other than Bro. Jayson Leones, one of the ardent followers of this blog. Bro. Jayson regularly visits this blog and leaves his comment from time to time. Last Holy Monday [April 6, 2009] I got the chance to finally meet Jayson during the Recollection-Meeting of Defensores Fidei Foundation. From there he invited me to visit their university which I gladly obliged because it will be a good opportunity to meet young people who could be inspired for the Lord and be invited for Apologetic Seminars. Besides, it will be my first time to enter the Centro Escolar University.

Timothy Joseph F. Javier, Fr. Abe, CRS and April Hazel Carrido. The two are active youth leaders in the University. Although TJ is more involved in CEU Makati branch.

Bro. Jayson and I finalized our CEU date: April 15, 2009 [Wednesday]. So, after my 7:00am Mass that Octave of Easter, I returned home immediately, took lunch with my Father and Ate Len my elder sister and off I went to CEU. Bro. Jayson was waiting for me in front of SM Fairview and we proceeded to Mendiola immediately. We parked outside San Beda University and we walked to CEU.

Fr. Abe, CRS signing in the visitors' log book of Centro Escolar University's Museum.

The first thing I visited was the Chapel which I will present here later. Then we proceeded to the Chaplain's Office. Unfortunately, the Irish priest was not around then. I was told that he was in Baguio for a seminar. But the student leaders were there, namely TJ and April. They were so happy to see me and we started talking about the faith.

Fr. Abe, CRS blessing the water and the salt to be Exorcised Holy Water by request of the students.

TJ and April alternately asked me questions about the Immaculate Conception, the Perpetual Virginity of Mary, Life-After Death and Veneration of Sacred Images in the Church. Then, just like the young people of today they asked about the accusations of Dan Brown in his novels so we talked about Christianity during the time of Constantine, Mary Magdalene and Jesus and the Celibacy for the priests.

Bro. Jayson recorded on camera Fr. Abe's visit in the Museum log book.

After this long converstion they treated me for lunch in the canteen which is so large and spacious. And during the meal we continued the questions and answers. We stayed long inside the canteen also because I wanted to give time to the students to ask their questions which they rarely have the opportunity to share with an ordained minister of the Church.

Fr. Abe answering the questions of the students mostly apologetics questions on the Blessed Mother and the History of the Church.

After the delicious meal, the three toured me to the University, most especially to its grand library and its newly opened Museum. The Librarian opened the Museum especially for us. I also got the opportunity to meet in person their head of Religious Education and some professors.

TJ listening happily and attentively.

Then, they toured me to San Beda Chapel with its magnificent works of Arts, then we proceeded to College of the Holy Spirit. I will post about these visits later.

April was all eyes and all ears to the explanation of the faith.

When we were about to proceed to the Church of St. Jude Thaddeus, of St. Michael the Archangel parish and San Sebastian Church my elder Sister sent a message asking me to go back home sooner. So, I cut off my visit of the beautiful chapels and churches. But, before leaving the three young people requested for the Sacrament of Confessions with advises for the challenges they are encountering and we blessed the Holy Water and blessed the Offices around because some students complain of seeing or feeling the presence of malignant spirits in the area.

The students requested me to visit again and promised to join the coming Defensores Fidei apologetic seminars.