Student Catholic Action
University of the Philippines
"For our flag, for our faith, for Christ the King!"
The seed of UPSCA began in an organization known as the Scholastic Philosophy Club in the mid 1
930’s , with activities such as regular Sunday Masses and meetings, the Eucharistic Congress, and Christ the King celebrations. It later developed into the first ever chapter of the Student Catholic Action (SCA), mentored by Fr. Edward J. McCarthy, SSC, following the directives of then Manila Archbishop Michael O’ Doherty, who formally approved and recognized the organization in April 12, 1936. Through many challenges, such as World War II, the Martial Law Era, and ideological oppositions, UPSCA has endured to be the progenitor of many other SCAs all over the country and of the Campus Ministry which was introduced in 1977, and the source of many of the Philippines’ finest leaders and personalities.
Under the guidance of Fr. John Patrick Delaney, SJ, UPSCA’s most beloved chaplain who centered spirituality on the Eucharist, the organization grew to be a formidable bulwark amidst a so-called atheist University.
It was during the “Delaney Era” that through the efforts of many UPSCAns, the UP Catholic Community was able to build the Chapel of the Holy Sacrifice, recently declared a National Historical Landmark, being an obra of many National Artists. UPSCA also became a power center in the University, handling the student council from top to minor posts, and manifesting its socio-political might through strong stances against hazing and violence.
At present, UPSCA remains a holistic venue for activities such as Eucharistic Services in First Friday and Thursday Masses, Holy Hour during Benediction, Living Rosaries, Prayer Recollections and Retreats, Barrio-work Immersions, Service Programs, Institution Visits, Disaster Responses, Faith Discussions, Tutorials, Academic Symposia, Formation Cells, National Situationer Talks, Friday Fun Activities, Papuri, muSCAhan, among others—forming Christians who are both Disciples of Contemplation and Apostles of Action, under the protection of Our Lady, for the cause of Christ, Our King.