The Church Of Gesu At The Ateneo

The Church of Gesu At The Ateneo

           

             The native bamboos sway a little bit as a gush of wind is felt in my direction. Not unusual on a summer day. I take a narrow brick path leading to a short bridge that opens to a reserve planted to a variety of trees and ornamental plants.  I find myself near a cluster of halls in an area considered as the highest point of what is dubbed as Loyola Heights. Residence Halls, which include Cervini Hall, Eliazo Hall and the University Dormitory, are indicated on a tin signage hanging at a post.  I decide to take another path that leads me back to the main road. From here, I can see a white-painted structure with a cross visible even from afar. It is the Church of Gesu located right inside the wide Ateneo De Manila Campus at Loyola Heights in Quezon City.

Resilient bamboos and other plants still thrive inside the Ateneo campus in Loyola Heights.

A short, narrow bridge leading to the dormitories. Students still use this as a short cut to the other buildings in the area.

A brick walkway leading to the Residence Halls

Residence Halls include Cervini Hall, Eliazo Hall and the University Dorm.

The main road that connects the Grade School zone to the College and High School areas and other institutes of learning. Ateneo has adopted the one-way traffic scheme within the 83-hectare campus to ease traffic during peak hours.

The Church of Gesu stands at an area considered as the highest point within the vast Ateneo campus.  The church and the gardens surrounding it cover approximately one hectare of prime land.

            With a triangular shape that covers an area of about one hectare, the Church of Gesu symbolically represents the Holy Trinity, that is, the three persons in one God concept. The extraordinary design makes it an eye catcher.  As one drives through the main road from Gate 3, the Church of Gesu is at the eastern end of the road.  A statue of the Sacred Heart stands right in front.  A little bit to the right is the bell tower.  The church is open on all sides except the eastern section where the main altar is located.

The cross can be seen as far as Katipunan Avenue.

The Church of Gesu facing west

The statue of the Sacred Heart  in front of the church.  The hill where it stands is also called Sacred Heart Hill.

Matthew 11:28

The church is open to everybody.

Main entrance of church.

Artistically designed

Front area of the church and the numerous trees surrounding the church.

Main entrance at the western side as viewed from inside the church.  Across is Bellarmine Field.

The bell tower at the right side of the church.  It has a set of bells that play beautiful music at designated hours. Bells are also rung as reminders to the faithful of significant events.

The construction of the bell tower and the installation of the mechanism of the Carillon are special projects of Class 56/60/64 as indicated in this bronze plaque. Class members call themselves The Bell Ringers of Gesu.

           The Church of Gesu is the mother church of the Society of Jesus, a congregation which has been administratively running the premier school since its establishment in 1859. Aside from the unusual shape of the church structure, a main attraction is the big cross that hangs atop the main altar.  It is a figure of Christ still suffering on the cross and gazing towards heaven. As one enters through the western side, which is the main entrance, a big rock with water gently flowing down serves as the church stoup where one dips his fingers and makes the sign of the cross.  Serving as background are stained glasses depicting the passion and death of Christ.  A great part of the ceiling is made in such a way that the skies can be seen from inside the church.  

Water gently flows down this big rock serving as stoup where churchgoers dip their fingers and make the sign of the cross.

Church interior

Church's high ceiling

The main altar

The Crucified Christ is shown looking upwards, talking to His Father.

Wooden statues of Christ

Natural light is allowed inside the church through a specially-designed ceiling.

The northern side ceiling of church

The center aisle as viewed from the main altar

A wooden station of the cross

            There is enough time to say a short prayer.  I continue taking shots and continue asking questions whenever I see a guard or a utility man. I look at my camera. A red light is flashing, indicating that battery power is getting weak. Not now, not here, please. I cross the main road where huge acacia trees abound and walk through the open space of Bellarmine Field. Ateneo campus still has that verdant green and is orderly and conducive to learning. I look again at the Church of Gesu.  It is really awesome.  It is perhaps Ateneo's most beautiful landmark.

- Konted

The Bellarmine Field as seen from the western side of the church.  Bellarmine Field is where students gather in celebration of significant court victories in the UAAP.

The triangular shape of the church is highlighted.

A garden at the northern side of the church

It depicts the Agony in the Garden.

Northern side entrance of the church

Strict silence is observed.

Walkway leading to nearby buildings.

View of Church of Gesu from the western end of Bellarmine Field.

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Ateneo de Manila at Loyola Heights

Ateneo de Manila at Loyola Heights

             

            When my two sons, Alex and Allen, were studying at the Ateneo de Manila in Quezon City, I made it a point to look, once in a while, at their test papers kept in their school bags.  I would do this when the two would be fast asleep. At midnight. This was during their grade school and high school days.

            What I would notice was an inscription somewhere near the top of their test papers. There was this little cross with four letters below it: AMDG . I was trying to figure it out what those letters meant.  Was it a magic formula they would invoke to ask the Almighty to provide them with the right answers?

            I would learn later that AMDG is short for Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam. It is Latin which means For the Greater Glory of God.  It is a motto. It is a a reminder for Ateneans that anything they do, they do it for God. When you read or hear this, it reminds you of Ateneo de Manila.

             Ateneo de Manila was established by the Jesuits in 1859.  Its original site was at Intramuros in Manila. One of its illustrious students was national hero Jose Rizal.  Its patron saint is Saint Ignatius de Loyola who was the founder of the Society of Jesus. Ateneo's training is anchored on its maxim "A Man For Others". The school wants each and every student to be "a man for others".

              Yesterday, I had the chance to roam again the wide campus of Ateneo de Manila along Katipunan. The old trees that line its wide streets still stand proud and the grass of the football field greener than ever.  A long walk took me to the Moro Lorenzo gymnasium. Several varsity players were practicing, working on their shooting skills. At the south end of the playing area was a big banner with an all too familiar line:  Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam. Again, a reminder for everyone to do it for the greater glory of God. 

               Player with jersey #15 was shooting with impunity.  His shots were sinking in. Ring less. Swishing through the net. Clean as a whistle.

- Konted

The Blue Eagle Gym at the Ateneo de Manila University.  The
Eagle has been Ateneo's mascot since the 1930s, presumably to symbolize Ateneo's dominance in basketball and its ability to soar high in academics. Blue and white colors represent the colors of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Entrance to Ateneo Grade School

There is now better traffic management within the Ateneo campus.

Ateneo's theater for the performing arts

Huge billboard near Gate 3

ADMU's main library

The Ricardo and Dra Rosita Leong  Hall houses the School of Social Sciences.

A statue of St. Thomas More can be seen by motorists passing through University Avenue.

Hall named after Blessed Peter Faber who was close to St Ignatius de Loyola. The Accounting office is housed here.

Xavier Hall houses Ateneo's administrative offices.

Across Xavier Hall is the Bellarmine Field where ROTC drills are held.  Bonfires after significant victories in the UAAP are also held at the Bellarmine Field.

The Church of the Gesu.  It is the mother church of the Society of Jesus.

Main road lined with trees

Approaching Ateneo High School

High School's closed gate

Library of Ateneo High School

High School is at the northernmost part of the Ateneo campus.

High School seniors have this Tulong Dunong program where they reach out to residents of various communities.

St. Kostka Chapel.  St. Kostka is the patron saint of the Ateneo de Manila High School.

A place conducive to learning

The Moro Lorenzo Gymnasium

Moro Lorenzo was an outstanding Ateneo basketball player who became a member of the national team.  He was also the owner of Pepsi Cola Bottling Company.

Moro Lorenzo Gym where Ateneo's varsity team practices.  Anyone can reserve the playing area for P 1,800 per hour

High School football field

High School's main road

East Asian Pastoral Institute

Bellarmine Hall

Eastern side of Bellarmine Hall

School authorities continue planting more trees.

Walter Hogan Conference Center.  Fr. Walter Hogan was the founder of The Institute of Social Order.

Alex is at last row, 2nd from right. 4th frrom left, 4th row, is Vinci Montaner of Parokya ni Edgar.

Alex is fifth from left, last row.  5th from left, 1st row, is Chito Miranda of Parokya ni Edgar.

6th from left, 3rd row is Allen Gener.

Ateneo Blue Eagles cheering squad (photo from G' file)