MANILA, Philippines - Xavier School Nuvali’s new chapel, the Oratory of St. Francis Xavier, was blessed on March 9, 2013 by His Excellency, Archbishop Antonio Ledesma, SJDD of the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro. He presided over the inaugural Mass, concelebrated with members of the Society of Jesus, led by the Jesuit Provincial, Fr. Jose Cecilio Magadia, SJ and Fr. Johnny Go, SJ, president of Xavier School Nuvali.
The oratory is dedicated in memory of the late John and Juanita Gokongwei, Sr., represented by their daughter, Mrs. Lily Ngochua and son, Mr. John Gokongwei, Jr. Several members of the Gokongwei clan witnessed the blessing, including grandchildren Lance Gokongwei, Robina Gokongwei-Pe, and Celina Chua. Also present were the other principal donors of the chapel, Mr. and Mrs. Ignacio Ortigas, Nico, Nelson, and Nathaniel Salvador, Wilson So, and Carlo Tanseco (Class of 1984), who designed the stained glass windows as well as the cross, altar and tabernacle.
The Mass was attended by alumni, parents, faculty, administrators and benefactors of the Xavier School community. The consecration rites included the blessing of the tabernacle and altar, and the deposition of the relics of the French Jesuit martyrs of Canada, Sts. John de Brebeuf, Gabriel Lalemant, and Charles Garnier.
The chapel, designed by Arch. Bong Recio, is configured as an irregularly shaped octagon with no two sides equal in length. It has been dubbed the Xavier Rock, referencing the rock of St. Peter, the foundation of the Christian faith. The iconic structure is the latest building to rise in the Xavier School Nuvali campus, which opened in June 2012.