08/09/2026
𝐅𝐫. 𝐋𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐧 𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐲’𝐬 𝐦𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐥 𝐨𝐟 𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐍𝐨𝐭𝐫𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐲 ’𝟐𝟔
Celebrating the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Rev. Fr. Charneil Kim Laparan, called on the NDMU community to reflect on the true meaning of greatness during the Notre Dame Day Mass at the NDMU Gymnasium, September 8.
In his homily, Fr. Laparan noted that as people grow from being dependent children into individuals, a natural desire emerges within them to become somebody, to lead, and to achieve greatness.
“There’s this desire to become somebody, to lead, to achieve something, or to be great, and there’s nothing wrong with wanting to become great. But the question is, what kind of greatness are we seeking?” he asked.
He warned against a greatness rooted only in personal power, recognition, or success, especially one that comes at the expense of others.
“My dear friends, please don’t add up to the burdens that people are already carrying. If our greatness requires another person who becomes smaller, poorer, oppressed, or forgotten, then that is not the greatness that God desires,” he said.
He connected this to the life of Mary, whose greatness did not come from status or worldly recognition, but from her closeness to God and her willingness to let Him work through her.
“Her greatness was not about being above others. Her greatness was about becoming a blessing to others. She became great precisely because she allowed herself to become an instrument,” he emphasized.
Extending this reflection to everyday life, Fr. Laparan highlighted that most people will not do extraordinary things, but will instead live ordinary lives.
“Small acts of love can become places where His grace and His word shine,” he said, noting that such acts often go unnoticed yet remain meaningful in the eyes of God.
He closed his homily with a reminder to the NDMU community that true greatness is measured not by status or achievement, but by humility and the willingness to become a blessing to others.
“True greatness is not becoming bigger than everyone else. It is about becoming a greater blessing to everyone. May our lives then become grace-filled — from loneliness, yet through constancy, into a life of love and purpose,” he said.
As NDMU celebrates Notre Dame Day, Fr. Laparan’s homily served as a timely reminder to root the pursuit of excellence not in worldly greatness, but in humble service and grace-filled love.
✏️: Ashley Vine Escorido
📸: Althea Soriano
💻: Cedric Philip Merañez
