The month of December always feels like missing home, especially because it is the season of Christmas. Whenever Christmas songs play in the malls or echo through the corridors, something in me becomes nostalgic. Sometimes I listen to Christmas hymns in Tetum, and instantly, I am transported back—back to familiar faces, warm gatherings, and the sense of belonging that home gives.
By mid-November, the atmosphere around me is very different. Both at Ateneo de Manila and at the Loyola School of Theology, everyone is busy preparing for final exams. Papers, reflection essays, written exams, and oral exams pile up. It is a demanding season—some find it manageable, others find it overwhelming—but this is the rhythm of student life. In our own ways, we try to shine.
On December 3, the Jesuit community at Xavier School celebrates the feast of its patron, St. Francis Xavier. Jesuit fathers, scholastics, brothers, and benefactors gather together, united in joy and gratitude. Moments like these remind me of the beauty of community life—of shared mission, shared faith, and shared hope.
December truly becomes a month of joy. Our community celebrates Christmas meaningfully with mission partners and their families. We exchange gifts with one another—formators and formands alike—and sing carols for our Jesuit brothers at the Wellness Center. These simple gestures create deep bonds, reminding me that joy often comes from giving and sharing.
I am especially grateful to the Dominican Sisters, Sr. Leonarda and Sr. Beatrix, OP, for inviting me to visit a family from Pakistan. They are Christians who were persecuted for their faith in Jesus. Once, they lived comfortably—with a beautiful home and a happy life. But when pressured to abandon their faith, they chose Christ over safety. They lost everything except the one thing they refused to surrender: their faith.
Their witness struck me profoundly. They told us, “We can lose everything, even our lives, but we cannot lose our faith in Jesus.” Their courage and dedication made me reflect deeply on my own vocation. To follow Jesus is not primarily about earning degrees in theology or philosophy. Before anything else, it is about faithfulness—about love, perseverance, and a heart anchored in Christ. Their story became a lesson I will carry with me: that true discipleship is measured not by achievements but by steadfast love.
Amid the busyness of academics, the birth of Jesus shines through as a source of true joy. Christmas gathers us in friendship and reminds me to be grateful—grateful for the opportunities, time, and space that help me grow in faith and maturity.
Indeed, this month has been a blessing. Even with the difficulties and limitations I face, God’s grace continues to flow. When the heart remains open, grace makes everything possible.
Written by: Sch. Trosilio de Jesus, SJ