A Dominican priest used the second of three Triduum Masses ahead of the Solemnity of St. Dominic de Guzman to urge the faithful to prioritize natural intelligence over artificial intelligence, according to The Varsitarian.
The call came during the series of liturgical celebrations held at the University of Santo Tomas, as reported by the student publication. The preacher’s remarks framed the development of human reasoning and wisdom as a spiritual priority in an era of rapid technological advancement.
The Triduum Masses are held in honor of St. Dominic, the founder of the Order of Preachers, commonly known as the Dominicans. The order has a long association with the University of Santo Tomas, which is run by the Dominicans in Manila. The feast day itself falls on August 8, and the three days of Masses leading up to it serve as a time of reflection on the saint’s life and legacy.
In related coverage, the University of Santo Tomas reported that another Dominican, Fr. Seño, reflected on St. Dominic’s life during the same period and encouraged Thomasians to pray the rosary. The Varsitarian also quoted a former provincial of the order as saying that preachers must be credible witnesses, underscoring the theme of authentic Christian living that runs through the celebrations.
The emphasis on natural intelligence over AI appears to be a pastoral response to the growing presence of artificial intelligence in daily life, urging believers to cultivate the God-given faculties of reason and discernment rather than relying on machines.
Observers will likely watch how Dominican-led institutions, including universities, apply this teaching in their academic and pastoral programs in the coming months.
