Arriba Jesus!

A blessed feast day of the Birth of St John the Baptist! In the Church's liturgical year, we celebrate the birthdays of three important people: Our Lord (Dec 25), Our Lady (Sept 8), and St John the Baptist (June 24).

St John the Baptist is my special saint because he is the patron saint of my Alma Mater, the Colegio de San Juan de Letran. This year is special because the college is celebrating its 400th foundation anniversary.

One may ask, why San Juan de Letran and not San Juan Bautista? Letran obtained its name from the Archbasilica of St John of Lateran in Rome, the "Mother and Head of All Churches in Rome and in the World". Lateran (Letran in Spanish) was the surname of the family who once owned the property where this beautiful basilica now stands. I have been there twice and really loved that place. There one could see the cathedra (seat or throne) of the Pope as Bishop of Rome. 

Anyone who has passed through the august walls of Colegio de San Juan de Letran wouldn't fail to hear, say, and cry Arriba Letran! (Up, Letran!). It is a cry of inspiration, encouragement, affirmation, and support, especially during big events such as the NCAA games and commencement exercises. 

As Letran celebrates its 400th anniversary, I would imagine our patron saint crying Arriba. But his cry does not just point out to Letran. Nor does it just point out to Patria (country). Ultimately,it points out to Deus (God).

Like the best man in a wedding, he would call our attention to the bridegroom. Like the forerunner of old, his cry awakens us for the Lord who is to come. All through his life, John did not hog the limelight. I remember Ms Andrea Flores, my Religion teacher in Elementary, who reminded us in one of her lessons about the humility of John: He (Jesus) must increase; I must decrease. (John 3:30). Indeed, John's cry is Arriba Jesus!

As Letran ushers in a new chapter in its life as an educational institution, may it revisit and draw inspiration once again from St John the Baptist. Mirroring our patron saint, may all Letranites (as well as other devotees of the saint) always seek to celebrate, promote, and uphold Jesus in whatever walk of life they lead. As Fr Edmund Nantes, OP, (a fellow Letranite) once told us in his homily : Manalo, matalo, kay Kristo ako. (Win or lose, I'm standing for Christ).

Happy birthday, St John the Baptist! Continue to pray for us.

Arriba Letran! 

Arriba Filipinas! 

Arriba Jesus!