SANCTUARY

One of the places in the SLU campus that I truly love is the Chapel, the Saint Aloysius Gonzaga Chapel. Whenever I’m missing my life as a college student, I always look back on the fond memories that I had and of the places that I loved to go and stay into and that for sure includes the Chapel. There are also those times when I really wish that I’m in there praying or just sitting and feeling the solemn and peaceful atmosphere.

Way back then, the Chapel had always been the first place where I go to whenever I feel sad and low. It was where I took refuge. It was where I try to find inner peace when I felt like everything that was happening was in chaos or failure. And after spending some time there or after attending a mass, I always felt like the heaviness that I was feeling was lightened or lessened. I always felt better afterwards.There was this one time when I felt so sad and downtrodden and I wanted to cry or scream my heart out, I immediately went to the Chapel after my class and I cried and cried and cried until I could cry no more. And I had such a great relief after then! I think just by simply going there, praying  and spending some time for serenity, you’re able to exude the negativity inside you because it’s God who is calming and blessing you.

My very first memory of going into the Chapel was before taking my very first practical exam in college (that was for the subject Zoology). I can remember that I was really trembling because of so much nervousness and I was fervently praying to God for me not to forget what I had studied and be able to concentrate on my exam. Thanks to God, I was able to pass that exam and I was able to surpass all of the many nerve-wracking, brain-draining, grueling and unforgettable exams that came after then. Remembering that now makes me laugh!

But of course, more than taking refuge on those lowly moments, it’s more important that one goes to the House of God whenever blessings come. When you’re happy, go there and show to God your jovial spirit. When you receive blessings, go there and give thanks. I think just by your mere presence, God would be very happy.