“Befriend your angels.” That’s what students at Ateneo de Manila Grade School are taught. We are standing before the AGS Chapel of the Holy Guardian Angels. This chapel is not just a building. It is a place where faith begins and grows.
The AGS Chapel of the Holy Guardian Angels hosts a special annual fair. It honors the Holy Guardian Angels. For many years, this fair has been a highlight for students. They are taught to emulate these angels. They learn to seek help from them. Students are even told to keep a distance from each other. This gives their angels space to sit between them.
Imagine the excitement as the fair begins. After regular classes, students gather. They sit in the corridors waiting for the procession. Angels, statues, sacristans, and Jesuits pass by. The angels are boys in white robes. They sport large wings and halos. Statues of the Guardian Angel, Our Lady, and San Ignacio follow. The Rosary is recited. The procession culminates at the AGS Chapel of the Holy Guardian Angels.
Grade 7 students rehearse a Latin hymn. They sing “Salve Regina” in plainchant. The chapel fills with angels, white flowers, and statues. The next day, a Mass honors the Holy Guardian Angels. The joyous hymn “The Angels of the Lord” concludes the Mass. Students clap along. They know the fair is now open. They run to enjoy the festivities.
Fairs of the past included unique traditions. There were dance performances and music. A sound booth made announcements. Students could be playfully “jailed.” Rides like the Caterpillar and Moon Shuttle were popular. Tokyo Tokyo and Pizza Hut offered special treats. Students bought colored hair sprays and faux silver rings. They mischievously spilled washable ink on each other.
The AGS Chapel of the Holy Guardian Angels holds deep meaning. Alumni return with mixed emotions. They long for the old chapel. It had a large, sad Crucified Jesus. The statue of Saint Gonzaga is missed. Stained glass windows have replaced them. Luckily, the sanctuary retains its Art Deco motif.
For eight years, students celebrate the angels. They reflect on their power. The AGS Chapel of the Holy Guardian Angels is more than a place. It is a reminder of faith. It is a place of beginnings. It encourages reflection on life’s path. Have we become better people? Have we left the path to holiness? The AGS Chapel calls us to remember. What has happened to our devotions? What has happened to our hymns?
The AGS Chapel of the Holy Guardian Angels is a place of memories. It is a place of faith. It is a place to ask ourselves important questions. It is a place to honor the angels. It is a place to remember the lessons of childhood. It is a place to reflect on our lives.