Called “i-25: The i-Witness Talks,” the seasoned documentarists Howie Severino, Kara David, Atom Araullo, Mav Gonzales, and John Consulta shared their experiences as journalists as well as lessons they learned during some of their most memorable documentaries.

i-Witness first premiered in 1999 and featured some of the finest journalists in Philippine media such as Jessica Soho, Vicky Morales, Cheche Lazaro, Luchi-Cruz Valdes, and the late Mike Enriquez. The long-running series has been a staple in educational settings and well-known not just in FIlipino households, but abroad. The program has earned awards and accolades including two George Foster Peabody Awards, multiple New York Festivals world medals, Asian TV Awards, Asia-Pacific Child Rights Awards, and finalist status at the Emmy Awards, and many more.

UST Secretary-General Rev. Fr. Louie R. Coronel, O.P., EHL, in his welcome remarks, commended I-Witness’ contributions to the educational landscape and the discourse around societal issues, saying “Let us acknowledge the courage it takes to bring important issues to the forefront, the dedication to uncover stories, and the commitment to make a difference.”

Atom Araullo was the first journalist to talk. In his seven years with I-Witness, he currently has over 50 documentaries that aired, which broadened his experiences as they sometimes involved a range of circumstances, from danger and hunger, to thrills and fulfillment.

“Experience is more precious than gold. Experience becomes stories, and stories are very powerful,” shared Araullo, who won the ‘Most Trusted Field Reporter Award’ from the Platinum Stallion Media Awards in 2015, as well as the Student Leaders Choice for TV Personality from the USTv Awards in the same year.

“It is our sacred duty to bear witness to history,” emphasized Araullo, who has shone light on incidents of violence, calamity, tragedy, not just in the country, but also globally, including the plight of the Rohingya people in Myanmar.

Mav Gonzales followed up by sharing lessons she has learned from exploring new stories. Having been a reporter since 2012, she is one of the most recent hosts to join the series as she began her stint in I-Witness in 2023.

“There are so many stories to tell, you just have to find your angle,” advised Gonzales in Filipino. She has done documentaries ranging from the labor of children who collect mud for planting frog grass, to the use of cadavers as silent mentors in the medical education field.

“If possible, make documentaries with concrete impacts in society,” she shared.

Multi-awarded veteran journalist Howie Severino, meanwhile, shared his tale and love for storytelling. Having been active in the journalism field since 1985, the self-confessed ‘analog native’ has led over 200 documentaries and highlighted that to document is to record for history.

““There are a lot of truths in our world that happen without anyone noticing, and documentarists can capture those moments for posterity,” Severino emphasized, adding that documentaries make people think about what is important, gather evidence, create records, make life more interesting and let the journalists telling the tale know more about themselves. They are also curated products that can be avenues for community-building and an educational tool.

“If I really wanted to get to know our country, our people, then I really needed to become a journalist,” shared Severino, who has been to almost every province in the Philippines in the course of his career.

“Journalists are trained to highlight not just what you (viewers) want to know, but what you need to know. It’s an educational tool, and one of the beautiful things about I-Witness is that many of our documentaries are shown in classrooms.”

John Consulta, a journalist who has spent over 10 years in the law enforcement beat, shared his insights on the power of storytelling and how it can be a way to serve. He highlighted his encounter with Bonita Baran, a domestic helper who was being mistreated by her employers.

Justice was served by her abusers being jailed, and a law protecting kasambahays was then passed months after the story aired.

“It’s possible that there are stories around you that you do not notice. All it takes is a little time and attention. Listen. Observe. If you want to be a good storyteller, be a good listener first,” advised Consulta.

Documentaries can serve as bridges to amplify the voices who need to be heard or give platforms to those who need it, to shed light and bring awareness to relevant and timely issues, and bring meaningful change to the lives and communities that they show or affect, shared Consulta.

Consulta also acknowledged the efforts of each team member who supports the documentarists behind the camera, saying, “Our show is named ‘I’-witness, but it’s always been a team effort. We (documentarists) may be in front, but this would not be possible without them. I believe in the meaning of TEAM: Together Efforts Are Multiplied.”

Kara David, a journalist for almost 30 years who also serves as chair of the Department of Journalism at the UP Diliman College of Mass Communication, capped the event with her talk, which emphasized the need to tell stories that are both new and changebringing (bago at nakakapagpabago).

David urged future documentarists to remember that “You are not the story. You are the storyteller. [Documentaries can] be the microphones for those who have not yet been heard, be mirrors of truth, and be bridges for those whom society cannot reach.”

In her travels in pursuit of these stories, she has told the tales of children who have experienced dire circumstances and led harsh lives. This led her to set up her foundation “Project Malasakit,” which funds scholarship projects.

She also cautioned budding journalists to get into the practice of sharing complete stories and to carefully discern their chosen angle.

“Tell stories that uplift the poor, uplift their dignity, not just stories that generate pity. So when we [filmed Ambulansyang de Paa], my team and I were conscious of not just focusing the story on the lack of access to healthcare, services, and medical facilities. We did not just focus on an angle that showed their poverty, but rather highlighted their efforts that, despite this situation, the Mangyan families had community-driven initiatives to mitigate the lack of government support.”

David also shared a lesson she has taken to heart, which she learned from the Mangyan community and their collective approach to community care. “Ang mabigat ay gumagaan kapag marami ang pumapasan (The heavy load is made lighter when many are bearing the weight).”

In its milestone year, I-Witness will air a special documentary series featuring powerful and uncommon stories of community heroism and selfless people on a mission. With their respective teams, the five program hosts Kara David, Howie Severino, Atom Araullo, John Consulta, and Mav Gonzales venture from Mindoro to Sulu to tell various stories that will air on Saturdays, beginning September 14 until October 12, 2024 at 10:15PM.

Storyteller’s Spotlight

An offshoot of the partnership among GMA Network, GMA Public Affairs and the UST Office of Public Affairs for I-Witness’ 25th anniversary was an inaugural activity titled “Storyteller’s Spotlight,” which brings media personalities and journalists of different beats closer to Thomasians who want to become writers.

“We invite you to immerse yourselves in this exploration of storytelling’s enduring legacy and its vital role in our shared human experience. On behalf of the Father Rector Very Rev. Fr. Richard G. Ang, O.P., thank you for your continued commitment to the power of storytelling. I hope that all of us Thomasians may say that I believe, I hope, I love, I witness,” said Fr. Coronel, who also congratulated the documentary series on its 25th anniversary.

The first featured guest was Mr. Atom Araullo, who presented practical tips for becoming a responsible journalist based on his extensive experience. After his talk, he answered queries from student participants in a forum moderated by the Assistant to the Director for Publication Ms. Katherine Patrice B. Sibug on August 19, 2024, at the Bl. Frassati Auditorium.

Students from the Senior and Junior High School departments were very eager to converse with the featured speaker as they tackled various topics during the open forum. Questions ranging from how documentaries are made, to the most unforgettable project were graciously answered by Mr. Araullo.

All in all, the first Storyteller’s Spotlight proved to be an effective way to provide students with an opportunity to interact with practitioners—an effective way to bridge the real world to the classroom.

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The 413-year-old University of Santo Tomas (UST) opened its gates to new Thomasians. Over 13,500 first-year students in the basic and higher education levels began their student life at UST by joining several onboarding activities, including an opening mass and lecture, the ROARientation, and the Thomasian Welcome Walk from August 2 to 5, 2024.

The Opening Exercises on August 2, 2024 highlighted the University-wide Mass of the Holy Spirit (Misa de Apertura) and the Inaugural Lecture (Discurso de Apertura). Both events were available for livestreaming on the official UST Facebook Page (/UST1611official) and the UST YouTube channel (/UST1611Manila).

The Bishop of Alaminos, His Excellency Most Rev. Napoleon B. Sipalay, Jr., O.P., D.D., served as the main presider of the Misa de Apertura, which was concelebrated with the Dominican priests at the Santísimo Rosario Parish Church (UST Chapel) at 9:00 AM.

The Discurso de Apertura, delivered by UST Faculty of Arts and Letters Dean Prof. Melanie D. Turingan, Ph.D., immediately followed the Mass of the Holy Spirit that formally opened the Academic Year 2024 to 2025.

The Discurso is an inaugural academic lecture that has been essential in the opening exercises of universities across Europe. UST adapted this practice to conform with the tradition of the Dominican houses of studies of starting every school year with a conference called Lectio Prima, or first lecture, based on the UST statutes drafted by Fr. Juan Amador, O.P., in 1785.  For this year, Dean Turingan’s lecture was titled “Imbued with Unending Grace: A History and Legacy of the University of Santo Tomas”.

Dean Turingan detailed the rich history of the University, from Archbishop Benavides bequeathing his books and a modest amount for the foundation of a seminary-college, the initial founding of the Colegio de Nuestra Señora del Santísimo Rosario in 1611, the transfer to the Sulucan (now Sampaloc) campus, up to its deliberate expansion efforts at present in Santa Rosa City and General Santos City.

“In the first decade of the American regime, the Dominicans had to confront the problem of accommodating its students in the very small building constructed in 1619. Intramuros itself could no longer expand even one inch more. Sulucan was one of the 10 barrios that made up the arrabal of Sampaloc,” Dean Turingan introduced the impetus for the transfer.

Dean Turingan shared that in July 1911, a donation was given to the Dominican Fathers, a 220,000 square meter land located in the Sulucan Estate from Doña Francisca Bustamante Bayot. Rev. Fr. Buenaventura Garcia Paredes, O.P., was the Dominican Provincial, while Fr. José Naval, O.P. was the Rector at the time. By December 1911, the laying of the first cornerstone for the Main Building was made by University stakeholders and the Dominican Fathers, with the design and construction headed by the engineer-friar Fr. Roque Ruaño, O.P.

The Main Building would rise in 1927 as the first building at the heart of the Sampaloc campus–the oldest among almost 30 structures within the 21.5-hectare UST Manila today.

“The structures we once had, we currently have, and we will soon have are not just tangible cultures that we see and set foot in,” said the Dean, who added, “These edifices symbolize UST’s rich history, values, and aspirations.”

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The University has now leapt to different cities of the Philippines, with the Main Building in UST General Santos recently inaugurated in 2024, and the Ricardo S. Po Integrated Innovation and Research Laboratories soon to rise in the Mindanao campus. In Santa Rosa, The Tony Tan Caktiong Innovation Center was inaugurated in 2023, while the Dr. William T. Belo Interdisciplinary Research Institute broke ground in 2024.

On the same day, UST General Santos held its own Eucharistic Celebration with the UST Vice Rector for Finance Rev. Fr. Roberto L. Luanzon, Jr., O.P, as presider and homilist. The Dominican Fathers concelebrated the Mass at the Main Building of UST General Santos. The Thomasian Community in General Santos also participated virtually during the Declaration of the Opening of AY 2024-2025 and the Discurso de Apertura in UST Manila.

After the official opening of the academic year on August 2, the Virtual ROARientation on August 3, 2024 shared informative sessions that covered relevant University services on various topics, such as Health and Wellness, Spirituality, Academics and Research, Technology, Communication and Media, Student Comfort and Safety, Finances, and Student Life. These sessions aired via the students’ respective Canvas course sites.

Following the virtual sessions was the in-person ROARientation 2024 “Embracing the Thomasian Spirit: Roar Your Way In!” on August 5, which builds the Thomasian school spirit and identity among the freshmen through various activities like games, performances, and the introduction of school cheers. It was held at the arena of the Quadricentennial Pavilion at 8:00 AM, including a Welcome Mass presided by UST Rector Very Rev. Fr. Richard G. Ang, O.P., Ph.D. (morning batch) and UST Vice Rector Rev. Fr. Isaias Antonio D. Tiongco, O.P., JCD (afternoon batch).

Immediately following the in-person ROARientation was the traditional Thomasian Welcome Walk at 11:00 AM for the morning batch. Since 2002, hundreds of thousands of Thomasian freshmen have walked through the Arch of the Centuries at the start of each academic year. For the freshmen of 2024, their entry on August 5 begins the cycle that will end in a few years at their Baccalaureate Mass, when they will exit through the Arch. UST upholds its traditions involving the Arch of the Centuries because the Arch was the original gateway of the University back in its Intramuros campus. It was reassembled piece by piece in the Sampaloc campus after World War II and serves as a reminder of the University’s rich history. There was also an afternoon batch for the in-person ROARientation and Welcome Walk.

Other activities include the Thomasian Welcome Concert on August 6 at the Quadricentennial Pavilion, the Triduum Prayers and Mass in honor of St. Dominic de Guzman from August 5 to 7 at the UST Chapel, and the Onboarding Fair with various food stalls and game booths at the UST Practice Gym from August 5 to 9. Regular classes officially commenced on August 9, 2024.

The Pioneers of UST General Santos

The inaugural batch of first-year students from UST General Santos also went through their own Welcome Walk as a rite of passage on August 29, 2024.

One hundred and twenty-six new Thomasians walked through the front gates, accompanied by the school administrators led by Academician Professor Emeritus Maribel Nonato and the Dominican Fathers, including UST Secretary-General Rev. Fr. Louie Coronel, O.P. EHL, and the Associate Vice Rector for Religious Affairs Rev. Fr. Gerard Z. Zabala, O.P.

UST Rector Very Rev. Fr. Richard G. Ang, O.P., Ph.D. served as the main presider of the Eucharistic Celebration at the UST General Santos Main Building.

“We are very happy and honored to welcome you to the newly opened UST General Santos campus,” The Father Rector greeted the pioneering batch, adding that “[You] are setting the trend, and paving the way for future Thomasians in this institution. We strongly believe you will invigorate this campus with your brilliant ideas, ardent passions, and dynamic energies. There is no other way to go but up and there is no other direction but to move forward, and today marks your new beginning as freshly-minted college students. Our Mass and welcome rites serve as signposts indicating that you are empowered to make changes and take your life into an exciting new direction, so my dear students, do not be afraid to take the first steps.”

The 97th Rector also reaffirmed that “I believe this campus should be a more diverse campus. We are open for all, not just for Catholics… The 21st century is a time of diversity and openness. Let us take our cue from Pope Francis, who wrote ‘No one should be afraid that God has allowed there to be different religions in the world, but we should be frightened if we are not doing the work of fraternity, of walking together in life as brothers and sisters of one human family.’ While UST is Catholic, we respect and welcome people from other religions, most especially our Muslim brothers and sisters in Mindanao. It is not Christ-like to disregard someone just because he is different from the rest of us. In this campus, no one will be left behind.”

“As you step into this new chapter of your academic life, we encourage you to develop these three attitudes: Let resilience be your stronghold. Let faith be your beacon. Let humility be your safeguard,” Fr. Ang advised the young Thomasians in General Santos.

“My dear students, you are all now part of the UST story and you will be making history beginning today. The world is at your feet and the sky is the limit. Have a wonderful extraordinary journey ahead! God bless you all,” he concluded.

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UST Rector Very Rev. Fr. Richard G. Ang, O.P., Ph.D. (fourth from left) and HTCH International Medical Center Director Dr. Chi-Cheng Li (third from left), with witnesses from both institutions, present the signed Memorandum of Understanding.

Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital (HTCH) in Taiwan and the University of Santo Tomas (UST) signed a Memorandum of Understanding for a research partnership on August 14, 2024 at the Rector’s Hall.

Signatories include UST Rector Very Rev. Fr. Richard G. Ang, O.P., Ph.D. and HTCH International Medical Center Director Dr. Chi-Cheng Li. Witnessing this event were officials from the UST Office for International Relations and Programs, the College of Science, and the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery. This is an offshoot of the “Telomere Clinical Research and Taiwan Medical Humanities Exchange Workshop” that UST joined, which took place at HTCH in October 2023. 

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This internship program is designed to equip future architects to become positive contributors to their communities and the environment by emphasizing ethical practice, collaboration, and social responsibility in their profession. Through mentorship, workshops, lectures, and developmental activities from September 2024 to April 2025, it aims to bridge the gap between theory and practice, culminating in a collective project intended to uplift marginalized communities by the end of the program.

Some academic staff of the UST College of Architecture will join the program in various capacities. Asst. Prof. Jonathan Manalad has been tapped as resource person and Ar. Jose Marie Tan as coach-mentor/ facilitator.

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Prior to the Summer Games in Paris, the 28-year-old Obiena held the World Number 2 spot for 46 weeks, beginning in July 2023.

In a statement released on social media days after the competition, Obiena shared his enduring commitment to his training, saying that “I commit to everyone now, I am back in training, I am back in the game, and I am going to attack the rest of the season and make you proud. You are going to see more from me, and see the Philippine Flag raised and raised on a global stage. Let’s get on with it!”

Obiena’s personal best record stands at 6.00 meters, which he achieved at the Sparebanken Vest Bergen Jump Challenge in June 2023 and the World Athletics Championships in Budapest in August 2023.

His 2024 pole vault season has also had many podium finishes, including first place at the Memorial Josip Gasparac in Croatia (5.83m), ISTAF Indoor 2024 in Germany (5.93m) last February,  Irena Szewinska Memorial  (5.97m) and Czeslaw Cybulski Memorial (5.87m) in Poland last June, second place at the Oslo Bislett Games (5.72m) in Norway last May, and most recently as of writing time, third place at the Diamond League in Lausanne (5.82m) on August 21, 2024.

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In the Dream Team Challenge, Ben Patrick B. Judrial, Danica A. Lara, and Patricia Beatrice D. Penoliar, with assistance from James Michael M. Araneta, won silver. Chef Ramona Olga D. Ko and Chef Kathlyn Tisha G. Ortaliz served as coaches.  

Sofia Angela M. Paja brought home silver for the Plant-Based Desserts Category. She was assisted by Miguel Luis Rodriguez and coached by Chef Kathlyn Tisha G. Ortaliz.  

Adrian G. Zapata and Thomas Angelo E. Monasterio IV won the bronze for the Young Chef Challenge. They were assisted by Amie Margaret Nazareno and coached by Chef Ramona Olga D. Ko.  

Mikaela Margaret N. Dimaano also won the bronze in the Dress the Cake category. She was assisted by Arianna Ysabel A. Pascual and coached by Chef Everest De Leon and Chef Maria Karmel Grace A. Labay.  

For the Wedding Cakes Display Category, Sophia Lorenz P. Aga won bronze. She was assisted by Atasha Bettina T. Delgado, Zyd Marcee Esguerra, Joaquin Gabriel C. Robles, and Sean Gabrielle B. Sunga. Chef Reinald A. Andaya served as her coach.  

Daniel Zoe V. Dalipe won bronze in the US Poultry category and was assisted by Earl Joshua Lipata and coached by Chef Ramona Olga D. Ko.  

The Philippine Culinary Cup is an internationally recognized platform that highlights the skills and talents of Filipino Chefs and is the only World Chefs Certified Competition in the country.

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Dones expressed his gratitude for the recognition and emphasized the importance of being motivated by a passion to serve others. He dedicated this achievement to God and his family. He highlighted the value of prayer and viewing every action as a form of worship. He encouraged his fellow Thomasians to approach their duties with love, extend gratitude to their supporters, forgive those who have wronged them, and consider every task as an opportunity to honor and thank God.

Throughout his career, Dones has consistently demonstrated exceptional dedication to advancing physical therapy. He has held various leadership roles, including Professor at the University of Santo Tomas (UST) College of Rehabilitation Sciences, Research Supervisor of the Center for Health Research and Movement Science, and CEO of PainFree Management and Consulting, Inc. and PainFree Foundation. His commitment to his profession and excellence in service have earned him several honors, such as the 2023 DOST-PCHRD NCR Best Mentor in Health Research Award (Junior/Early Career Researchers Category), recognition for his contributions to the COVID-19 Living Clinical Practice Guidelines in the Philippines, the 2024 Australia Awards Fellowship, and multiple UST publication awards, including the Gold Series Publication Award (2020-2022) and several Silver Series Publication Awards (2016-2020).

On the same occasion, Architecture alumnus, Ar. Edison Ching M. Padilla was also awarded as the Outstanding Professional of the Year in the field of Architecture. Ar. Padilla is currently the National President of the Philippines Association of Building Officials. In 2018, he was honored with the ASEAN Architect title by the PRC-International Affairs Division – ASEAN Architects Registry and the Royal Institution of Architects – Singapore conferred him the title of Fellow.

A notable contribution by Ar. Padilla was his development of the country’s first automated building and construction permits application system – the 3S Plus Electronic Terminal. This groundbreaking system revolutionized the permit application process, showcasing his commitment to efficiency, transparency, and professionalism.

The 3S Plus Electronic Terminal system did not only streamline procedures but also earned him notable accolades, including the UAP Plaque of Appreciation in 2014. His innovation set a benchmark for future developments and was instrumental in shaping the online governance and the creation of One Stop Shop for Construction Permits (OSCP) at the Office of the Building Official (OBO)in Valenzuela City.

These recognitions awarded to two outstanding Thomasians truly reflect the values of competence, commitment, and compassion.

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The association’s officers took their oath on July 18, 2024 during the Accountancy Week Celebration at the Far Eastern University. NACPAE is the sectoral organization of accounting teachers and academics in the Philippines.

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This theme of interconnectedness was echoed in the opening remarks of Prof. Luca Maria Scarantino, President of the Fédération Internationale des Sociétés de Philosophie (International Federation of Philosophical Societies) and Prof. Antonella Polimeni, Rector of Sapienza University, who highlighted the integration of humanistic and scientific cultures in philosophical discussions. Among the distinguished participants were several scholars from the University of Santo Tomas (UST) in the Philippines, who significantly contributed to the Congress’s diverse and inclusive dialogue.

Throughout the week, prominent academics tackled urgent topics that reflected ethical, social, cultural, political, and spiritual themes among others. Presentations ranged from artificial intelligence’s ethics to spirituality’s role in secular societies. The Congress included plenary sessions and symposia, contributed paper sessions, endowed lectures, invited sessions, round table discussions, society sessions, students sessions, and the FISP General Assembly. These discussions aimed to break down traditional boundaries within philosophical thought, addressing contemporary global challenges such as inequality, gender and cultural diversity, and sustainability.

In line with the Congress’s commitment to diversity, UST scholars presented papers and participated in panels that expanded the conversation on Filipino philosophy and its place in global discourse. Prof. Jove Jim S. Aguas of the Philosophy Department and Center for Theology, Religious Studies, and Ethics played a significant role in the Congress. Aguas participated in the Center for Research in Values and Philosophy Round Table Discussion on National Values, presenting his paper titled “The Ambiguity of the Filipino Sense of Nationalism and Filipino Identity.” He also contributed to the PAP Society Session titled “Filipino Philosophy in Dialogue: Expanding the Conversation,” serving as moderator and session chair.

During the Contributed Paper Sessions, Thomasian scholars presented their respective papers. Prof. Fleurdeliz R. Altez-Albela of the Department of Philosophy and Center for Theology, Religious Studies, and Ethics presented her study “What Is Levinasian in Sustainability?: Sustainability in the Economy of Being Through Levinas’ Third.” Senior High School academic staff and Ecclesiastical Faculties Academic Collaborations Officer Mr. Blaise D. Ringor shared his study “Education, Christian Values, and the Voiding of Reason: John Henry Newman’s Personalist Education.” Mr. Christian U. Solis from the Senior High School Department and UST Graduate School gave a talk on his paper “Towards Understanding Fidelity in Marriage and Family: Paul Ricoeur on Man’s Capacity to Promise.” From the Graduate School, Mr. Charles Aldrin A. Delgado presented his paper “Christianity as Discomfort: Kierkegaard’s Philosophy of Religion.” Academic staff Mr. Ivan Efraim A. Gozum gave a glimpse of Filipino family ties through his study “Understanding Filipino Close Family Ties Through Gabriel Marcel’s Mystery of the Family.” Prof. Jove Jim S. Aguas and his paper “The Relevance of the Metaphysics and the Notions of Being and Analogy of St. Thomas” was also part of the session.

These presentations highlighted the depth and diversity of philosophical inquiry at the University, showcasing how Filipino scholars contribute to global philosophical discussions. The Congress also provided a unique opportunity for Filipino academicians to strengthen bonds and establish trust among themselves through personal exchanges. This experience underscored the importance of collaboration and support among Filipino scholars, especially those pursuing challenging endeavors abroad.

As the Congress concluded, the UST delegation returned home with a renewed commitment to their mission as educators, emphasizing developing critical thinking skills in their students while preserving their unique philosophical identities. Their participation in the 25th World Congress of Philosophy gave them the opportunity to interact with foreign scholars, expand their academic networks, and reinforce their role in shaping the future of philosophy in the Philippines and in the global stage.

The WCP is organized by the International Federation of Philosophical Societiesevery five years. The WCP is a big event that gathers academic philosophers, professors, students, and philosophy enthusiasts across the globe for a week-long congress discussing a particular theme. The 25^th WCP served as a global stage for philosophical discourse, drawing scholars worldwide to discuss the theme, Philosophy across Boundaries.

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This newly published article explores the profound physical and mental suffering endured by COVID-19 patients, contextualized through the spiritual framework of Pope John Paul II’s Salvifici Doloris. The authors examine the intersection of health challenges and spiritual reflection, offering insights into how patients navigated the pandemic’s difficulties by finding redemptive meaning in their experiences. The study emphasizes the importance of pastoral care and the transformative power of suffering when viewed through the lens of Christ’s own redemptive suffering.

Drawing from medical journals and patient testimonies, it highlights how individuals framed their suffering as divine retribution or punishment. However, through the theological lens of Pope John Paul II’s Salvifici Doloris, the authors propose that suffering can be understood as redemptive—an invitation to participate in Christ’s own sufferings, offering a path to spiritual conversion and healing. The study also underscores the importance of providing holistic pastoral care, addressing not only the physical and psychological needs of COVID-19 patients but also their spiritual well-being. Using Pope John XXIII’s See-Judge-Act methodology, the paper calls for an approach to care that integrates medical treatment with spiritual and emotional support, encouraging deeper engagement with the redemptive possibilities of suffering.

This reflective examination provides a unique theological and spiritual perspective on the unprecedented health crisis caused by COVID-19. It contributes to ongoing discussions about the role of faith in times of suffering and encourages deeper engagement with the redemptive potential of human suffering. The article calls for more integrated pastoral care that respects the complexity of physical, psychological, and spiritual pain during illness.

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