On June 26, the CITE family—including its faculty and students—joined the faithful in celebrating the Feast of St. Josemaría Escrivá through a solemn Holy Mass at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral.
The Eucharistic celebration was presided over by Calbayog Bishop Isabelo “Boy” Abarquez, with Msgr. Rogelio Fuentes, Msgr. Vicente Rey Penagunda (Vicars General), the priests of Opus Dei, the Numerary Priests of the Work in Cebu, and other visiting priests concelebrating.
In his homily, Bishop Abarquez reflected on the enduring message of St. Josemaría Escrivá—that holiness is not reserved for extraordinary people or extraordinary moments, but is found in the faithful fulfillment of ordinary work and daily responsibilities.
Drawing from the saint’s spirituality, the bishop encouraged the faithful to cultivate a listening heart, discovering God’s presence in prayer, work, family life, and the ordinary rhythm of each day. He noted that this beautifully complements the Archdiocese of Cebu’s pastoral thrust of becoming a “Listening Church.”
“Listening is not merely hearing. It is trusting obedience even when experience suggests otherwise,” Bishop Abarquez reminded the congregation.
As Opus Dei prepares to celebrate its centenary in 2028, the bishop acknowledged the challenges of a fast-paced and increasingly complex world. Despite these realities, he emphasized that Christ continues to invite every person to a deeper relationship with Him and to seek holiness in everyday life.
“The challenge is not simply to do more apostolate, but to be more united with Christ in ordinary life. Fruitfulness comes not from efficiency, influence, or numbers, but from grace,” he said.
Concluding his homily, Bishop Abarquez pointed to the Blessed Virgin Mary as the perfect model of discipleship—one who listened attentively, trusted completely, and courageously responded “yes” to God’s will.
The participation of the CITE family in this annual celebration reflects the institution’s commitment to forming men and women who strive for excellence not only in their profession, but also in their Christian life by sanctifying ordinary work and daily duties.
Viva St. Josemaría Escrivá!
Photos from The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cebu