HNU Dedicates New Church,
Declared The Catholic University of Bohol
by Paul Gerard R. Sanz
Holy Name University marked a momentous chapter in its history on November 5, 2025, with the solemn dedication of the new Church of the Immaculate Spouse of the Holy Spirit. The celebration, was led by the Most Rev. Alberto S. Uy, D.D., Archbishop of Cebu. Joining him were the Rev. Msgr. Gerardo Saco, Diocesan Administrator, the Holy Name University priests, some members of the clergy from the SVD Philippine Southern Province, and the dioceses of Tagbilaran and Talibon, whose presence further enriched the ecclesial significance of the event.
The dedication of the new church---now a spiritual home for the HNU community--- coincided with the 188th Birth Anniversary of St. Arnold Janssen, founder of the Society of the Divine Word. The observance of these significant moments deepened the spiritual meaning of the occasion, especially for the SVD family and the entire University community that draws inspiration from the missionary legacy of St. Arnold, as it transpired on the year on the 150th foundation of the SVD.
The celebration soared to an even more historic point when the Rev. Fr. Milan Ted Torralba, Judicial Vicar, and Diocesan Chair for the Cultural Heritage of the Church read the formal declaration of the official designation entrusted by the Dioceses of Tagbilaran and Talibon. That, to wit,
“…, Holy Name University is..., to bear the formal title ‘The Catholic University of Bohol’ which shall serve as a public testament to its canonical status and unique mission within the Dioceses of Tagbilaran and Talibon; to continue to uphold the principles of Catholic faith and morals in its academic programmes, institutional policies, and community life; to foster a continuous and enriching relationship with Their Excellencies the Most Reverend Bishops of Tagbilaran and of Talibon, serving as a hub for intellectual and spiritual life in these particular Churches; and, to act as a beacon of Catholic thought ensuring that the Gospel message informs and shapes the pursuit of knowledge and the formation of students.”
This recognition bears profound significance for the University, affirming its identity and deepening its mission of forming competent and compassionate leaders rooted in the Gospel. It also reinforces its longstanding commitment to academic excellence, spiritual formation, and service to the people of Bohol.
The event concluded with a celebratory dinner to honor the SVD Jubilarians and to mark the culmination of the 150th Founding Anniversary of the Society of the Divine Word, a meaningful tribute to the congregation’s enduring legacy of mission, education, and service. Benedicite Nomini Eius!
