Introduction

St. Augustine seriously made a profound reflection on the First Letter of St. John Chapter Three verse Seventeen (1 Jn. 3:17) and remarkably asked his followers, “If anyone has a brother (or sister) in need but has no pity in him or her, how can the love of God be in him or her?” Our Patron Saint Augustine (who was born on Nov. 13, 354 and died on August 28, 430) beautifully explained in his discourses that the Christian’s progress in love is actually measured in terms of one’s growth in the commitment to the needs of the other, and towards the promotion of common good. On being a Catholic University, LCUP is duty-bound to generate and disseminate fundamental and innovative ideas that can effect a transformative and holistic education, which is the heart of the Catholic curriculum and a core element of Christian education culture. LCUP believes that an authentic Catholic Filipino Augustinian Consolanian individual has a commitment to prophetic witnessing, servant-leadership, and environmental stewardship manifested through his/her local, national, and global concern for those in need within the Church.

Roots of the LCUP’s Mother Rita Barcelo Caritas Center

LCUP’s social orientation and community engagement formally began in 1987. The University marked a milestone in renewing its commitment to the social welfare of neighboring communities when the Mother Rita Barcelo Outreach and Livelihood Corporation was inaugurated during its 50th anniversary. Since then, the Mother Rita Barcelo Caritas Center has continuously brought a wealth of outreach experiences and service-learning programs that generated significant results not only for students, personnel, and stakeholders, but also for beneficiaries in the partner communities.