Encapsulating the Filipino Christmas spirit, Saint Mary’s University (SMU) rekindles the celebration of the annual Feast of the Light through lighting of the Christmas Tree and Belen and the blessing of the Christmas Village at Fr. Theophile Verbist Park on Tuesday, November 28.

Despite inclement weather conditions, Marians lit the streets through a lantern parade around the town, showcasing the identity and creativity of each school, followed by a mass demonstration in front of the Four Pillars.

For this year’s celebration, the School of Graduate Studies showcases triangular parallelepiped-themed lanterns, College of Law parades scales of justice-themed lanterns, School of Engineering, Architecture, and Information Technology displays under the sea-themed lanterns, School of Accountancy and Business embodies heavenly bodies-themed lanterns, School of Health and Natural Sciences waves their cottage core-themed lanterns, School of Teacher Education and Humanities exhibits their carnival and hot air balloon-themed lanterns, SMU-Senior High School flaunts their candy land-themed lanterns, and SMU-Junior High School show off their snowflakes-themed lanterns.

In an interview with The MARIAN, first-year Political Science student Nathalia Cassandra Untalan shared this was her first feast of the light in the university and hopes for good weather conditions.

“I loved the lanterns so much because I knew how hard it was to make them and how stressed and rushed the students were, including us,” Untalan said.

The blessing of the Christmas Village was solemnized by Rev. Fr. Philip A. Yu, CICM. The event was concluded through an open jam by all bands of the university.