The essence of Christianity lies in the interconnectedness of our experiences, where the suffering of one affects the whole community, Faculty of Arts and Letters Regent Fr. George Phe Mang, O.P., said during the Mass on Red Wednesday, Nov. 27, at the Santísimo Rosario Parish.

In his homily, the Artlets regent mentioned the ongoing conflict in his home country, Myanmar, where the military continues to engage in a civil war against the people.

"They (the military) bomb the houses [...] people no longer live in the cities, they fled to the forest [to] escape. And their houses were burned; even the churches were burned down and bombed by the military," the regent said.

Phe Mang compared the people's efforts to aid the victims to the comforting presence of Mother Mary during Christ's crucifixion, describing it as a "perfect explanation" of the theme.

"The actual moment of consolation happens when the suffering is truly understood in the act by the other one who experienced the same kind of suffering," he said.

The AB regent explained that life's suffering should not lead you to despair but rather to "consolation through God's faithfulness.”

"As a community of faith, we are reminded that our unity in Christ strengthens us in trials and leads us towards the victory of God's kingdom," he added.

At the end of the homily, the Mass celebrant invited the Thomasian community to embrace people’s interconnectedness toward one another, emphasizing the importance of "unity as a community of faith."

"United in suffering, we experience the consoling presence of Christ. United in consolation, we become witnesses of hope to the world," Fr. Phe Mang affirmed. "We are not alone; we are one in suffering; we are one in consolation."

Red Wednesday is annually observed every fourth Wednesday of November to honor persecuted Christians who suffered because of their faith.