Living out love in action this February, the Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP) successfully conducted Special Learning Session No. 25, entitled “A Higher Love: A Learning Session on the Love for the Poor Inspired by Pope Leo’s Apostolic Exhortation ‘Dilixe Te’” on February 13, 2026, via Zoom.
The session aimed to deepen Catholic educators’ understanding of God’s preferential love for the poor and translate this into Christ-centered teaching, school leadership, and institutional policies.
During his opening remarks, CEAP Executive Director Narcy Ador Dionisio emphasized the need to embody the Church’s exhortation on love for the poor through a whole-of-society approach—integrating pro-poor principles into both academic and non-academic policies and practices.“Yung mga policies and programs natin, i-review natin kung tunay ba ‘yan na pro-poor. Isa-isahin natin — are the policies serving the interest of our poor clientele?”
Following the opening message, CEAP Vice President Fr. Wilmer Tria deepened the discussion, stating, “Kapag ang school natin ay made exclusive for the rich, we have to rethink and review our mission and vision. Wala na tayong pagkakaiba sa mga privately owned schools na negosyo lang ang tingin. We have a mission — to emancipate the poor and liberate them from poverty. Our school should be like the Good Samaritan, not ignoring the plight of the poor.”
However, negative perceptions about poor learners remain a significant barrier to advancing mission-aligned school policies. A key highlight of the session unpacked common ideological prejudices against the poor, underscoring how systemic oppression, rather than individual failure, often perpetuates poverty. “Despite the poor’s hard work, they remain poor because of oppressive structures,” stated Fr. Wilmer.
The special learning session is aligned with the CEAP’s ongoing initiatives on championing Justice, Ecology, Engaged Citizenship, Poverty Alleviation, Gender Equality, and Youth Empowerment or JEEPGY program.
Through the Special Learning Session No. 25, CEAP continues to affirm that Catholic education must not only teach about love for the poor, but institutionalize poverty alleviation — embedding it into policies, culture, and daily practice in faithful witness to the Gospel.