The Church embodied the teachings of Saint Thomas Aquinas, Rev. Fr. Christopher Garinganao, O.P. said on Thursday, Jan. 22, at the Santisimo Rosario Parish.

In his homily on the first day of the Triduum, the dean of the Faculty of Philosophy shared that Saint Thomas Aquinas was known for his knowledge and holiness, as these traits, even during the time of the Saint, were kept separate from each other.

The separation, Garinganao added, remained prevalent in present times.

“Sapagkat kahit sa panahon ni Santo Tomas, ay pilit na pinaghihiwalay ang dalawa,” he said.

The separation, Garinganao added, remained prevalent in present times.

“Sa ating lipunan, makikita pa rin natin ang traces nito. Kapag matalino ka, doon dapat ang iyong leaning. ‘I’m an intelligent person, therefore I question religion,’ he said. “May mga taong nagsasabi na ‘I am a religious person, ako’y nagsisimba tuwing Sunday. Hindi ko na kailangan mag-aral.’”

The mass presider said while both arguments were valid, it was not the path that both Jesus Christ and Saint Thomas Aquinas took.

Garinganao also remarked that enlightenment both in knowledge and in faith should be intertwined.

“Ang pag-aaral at edukasyon ay kasama sa ating buhay pananampalataya,” the mass presider said. “Ang pagpapalago ng talino at paglago sa kabanalan ay dapat magkaugnay.”

Towards the end of his homily, Garinganao reminded Thomasians that the truth is where the .

“Ang pangunahin na misyon natin sa ating buhay ay hanapin ang katotohanan. At doon sa katotohanan natin makikita yung tunay na daan na ating tatahakin,” the mass presider remarked.

The Triduum and University Celebration in honor of Saint Thomas Aquinas was held on Jan. 22, 23, 26, and 27, at the Santisimo Rosario Parish.