On this first day of school, I would like to welcome the entire school community—students, faculty, administrators, school personnel, and parents—to the new school year 2023-2024. We especially welcome our new students and their parents, and our new teachers and school personnel. I trust that all is in place to ensure that all of us are able to smoothly settle into this fresh beginning.
This year is special for us as we also celebrate the 65th Foundation Anniversary of our school. In 1958, two Jesuit missionaries—Frs. Andrew Joliet, SJ and Santiago Leon, SJ—welcomed the first nine students to the newly established Santa Maria Catholic School located along Gen. Blanco Street. By the grace of the Lord, the generosity of our benefactors, and the hard work of all the Jesuits and lay collaborators, we have grown to a community of around 2000 students and 160 school personnel in our new campus here in Mandurriao.
In his autobiography, St. Ignatius of Loyola has always identified himself as a pilgrim—always on the go, searching for God, ready to do His Will, and eager to carry out the mission he has been called to do. A pilgrim always has one foot planted firmly on the ground while the other lifted up ready to take the next step towards a sacred place to find God not only in one’s destination but more importantly, the God who is deep within the self.
As we begin this new school year, which is also our 65th Foundation Anniversary, let us be like Ignatius, the pilgrim. Let us have one foot firmly planted on the ground, grateful for the solid foundation on which our community has been built over the last 65 years. Let us also keep one foot lifted, ready to take the next step where the Spirit commands ready to pursue the magis, ready to love and serve the Lord and our neighbor in more and better ways.
We entrust this new school year and our community to the patronage of Our Lady of China and our dear Fr. Ignatius.