Kysie Marie P.

Talatayod April 05,

2024
BS Psychology Education with a Mission

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is
pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think
about such things. -Philippians 4:8-9

As Carolinians, we are called to embody the virtues of San Carlos Borromeo, our patron saint,
and the SVDs: St. Joseph Freinademetz and St Arnold Janssen. San Carlos displayed integrity
throughout his life. As a child his uncle assigned him as titular abbot of a monastery. Instead of
careless spending, he allocated the revenue to the lowly. Moreover, he also helped feed around
60,000 people at his own initiative during the time of the bubonic plague that infected Northern
Italy in the late 1600. Despite his well-off background, San Carlos Borromeo struggled with a
speech impediment However, it never hindered his motivation to study hard and finish with a
doctorate degree in Canon and Civil law.

Inspired by the life of San Carlos Borromeo, I believe that Carolinians are also capable of
striving for excellence and integrity. Practicing integrity does not necessarily mean donating
millions to a charity or saving thousands of children out of hunger as Borromeo did. In the
classroom, it can be the simple act of answering a difficult quiz as best as you can. Integrity is
also standing on what is right around people that tells you otherwise. Integrity is being honest to
one’s feelings and emotions: laugh when you’re happy and cry when you’re sad. Integrity is
treating your emotions as your friend. More importantly, integrity is honesty in the workplace. As
aspiring professionals in the field of Psychology, we are expected to become experts of mental
health. But being experts does not grant us the right to take advantage of people who seek
mental health service.

Similarly, Excellence does not need to be grand as well. Inside the four walls, Excellence is the
commitment to learn the lesson and the motivation to hone one’s skills related to one’s
profession. Excellence is also allowing oneself to rest when overwhelmed but never quitting.
Excellence is the ability to manage time. Excellence is also ambitious but not boastful.It is worth
noting that Excellence grows best when you have a firm sense of purpose. For instance, you
are passionate about the unique workings of the mind and human being’s behavior but you’re in
Computer Science because your parents said so, the pursuit to excellence in computer
programming is inevitably compromised.

St. Joseph Freinademetz, an Italian priest, was among the first SVD missionaries in China. The
Chinese people showed distrust to their true intention and in turn, St. Freinademetz experienced
culture shock from the Chinese people. Like negative to negative magnets, they repel one
another. However, Freinademetz did not waver and reaffirm his mission. He was convinced that
love is the language that is understood by many. The story ends with Freinademetz wishing he
was Chinese in heaven. Love in this context is different from the mainstream definition of love. It
is the love that is unconditional and selfless, called Agape. Freinademetz demonstrates how
Agape transcends beyond boundaries and unites people of different cultures. As psychology
students, Agape is the empathy we give to people, be it in our personal and professional lives.
Agape is having the ear that listens, an eye that sees, and a heart that understands. Agape is
helping people grow and realize their potential. Agape is keeping in good terms with teachers
that we don’t like. Agape is the simple act of fostering camaraderie instead of competition
inside the classroom.

St. Arnold Janssen teaches us a life of prayer. Life is full of challenges and uncertainties. When
we pray we submit our worries to God and ask for the guidance of the Holy Spirit to bless us in
our everyday activities. To reinforce our goal towards becoming a virtuous man with integrity,
excellence, and love, let us never forget to nourish our spirit with a prayer.

In summary, let us emulate the integrity of San Carlos Borromeo, the love of St. Joseph
Freinademetz, and the prayerful perseverance of St. Arnold Janssen as we endeavor to
become virtuous individuals in our personal and professional lives.