Through the years, Student Catholic Action of the Philippines (SCAP) continues its mission of evangelization by sharing the light of Christ to others especially to the young, budding students nestling from the different educational institutions across the country.
Reliving the story of how it all started the SCAP’s historical leaves reveal that SCAP laid its first foundation through the idea of a true Christian, Fr. Edward McCarthy in UP Manila. Archbishop Michael O’Doherty formally approved Student Catholic Action on April 12, 1936.
From that certain date on, SCAP has been experiencing a roller coaster ride. It has undergone many ups and downs as well as bumps and turns along the way of its journey to the extent that it nearly kissed the world goodbye as World War II weakened the system in 1941, activism became strong in 1969, and the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) issued disbandment on national coordination in 1985. Yet, a number of chapters and dioceses choose to survive. One of those is the Diocese of Tagbilaran.
It can’t be denied that SCAP experienced almost everything and the rest is history. Time swiftly slips away and now, SCAP gaily approaches its 80 years of existence – 80 long years of success, of struggles, of joys, of sorrows, of service, and of life.
Eighty years and counting, what sustains SCAP to stand firm of the test of time?
It is not just about what. It is also about who.
It is not just the sessions, formations, celebrations, and fellowship activities that sustain. It is also the people who receive those with all their might and with all their hearts.
Collectively, Christ-centered and committed full-fledged SCAns all over the Philippines sustain SCAP up to the present. SCAns strive every day to become the disciples of Christ who are evangelized and evangelizing.
They are servant leaders who put the needs of others above their own. They never get tired of making waves as they selflessly serve the needs of the Filipino youth and students. They never fail to be at their finest just to help others look at life with meaning and purpose.
They are everybody’s Ates and Kuyas who contribute to the transformation of today’s messed up and dehumanized society into a just and compassionate community.
They are men and women of prayer and action.
They are ardent crusader of faith, love, and hope.
They are Mother Earth’s keepers.
They are youth volunteers who never get exhausted of themselves to sacrifice their weekends, day offs, family times, leisure times, and even baths and meals and who never get ashamed to show off their heavy, dark eye bags just to meet their co-students and to be with them, united in the bond of caring and sharing, bearing with one another, and learning together.
Most of all, they are special persons the ministry is lucky to have. They might not be the perfect sons and daughters to be proud of. They might not be the ideal brothers and sisters to keep. They might not be raised with so much affluence. But what made them special is that they are genuine, spontaneous, and true despite of being ordinary, plain, and simple. They don’t like to wear a thousand masks. In fact, all SCAns are scarred individuals and being scarred is beautiful.
Happy 80th year SCA!
To Christ the King, Love and Loyalty!