The Regional Vicar of Opus Dei in the Philippines, Rev. Fr. Carlos Vicente G. Estrada, JCD, paid a visit to Tahilan Residence and Study Center last September 19 for a talk with university students about various aspects of spirituality applied to daily living.
The Sunday afternoon session comprised of a series of questions-and-answers interspersed with memorable anecdotes from Fr. Estrada. He was accompanied by Fr. Raul Marino M. Sagles, former chaplain of Tahilan.
Fr. Estrada, being a Mechanical Engineering graduate of De La Salle University, started off by saying a few words about technology. He tackled how it improves the lives of people, making concrete comparisons with technology available during his college years. At the same time, he cautioned that technological developments like the Internet can also be detrimental in some cases. Fr. Estrada also commented on how fortunate the university students are to be able to receive means of formation offered in Tahilan.
One of the questions asked was about dealing with people who have a different set of values. The Vicar challenged those present to stand their ground while maintaining cordial relations with others. Those people who have different values will eventually come to their sense and respect the ones who remained true to their convictions.
Probably one of Fr. Estrada’s treasured stories was about his college friend whom he never invited to go to the Center because it did not seem that he would appreciate it. Several years later, they were able to reconnect with one another. Sometime after that encounter, his friend came to join Opus Dei as a Supernumerary. This was how Fr. Estrada stressed the importance of not giving up on people no matter how uninterested they may seem.
Time is always short when you’re having a good time and this was no exception. No one even noticed that an hour had already passed. It was over all too soon as Father Estrada had to leave for another appointment. His words though will surely continue to echo in the minds and hearts of all those present.
By Audrey Fatima Virgula, Reprinted from Tahilan Trails October 2010
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