Ignatian week - 2015

Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam
(For the Greater Glory of God
The annual feast of St. Ignatius of Loyola, celebrated on the 26th of July, 2015, began on a reverential note with a mass for all students, parents and well wishers of Jesuit institutions.

The Ignatian week celebrations at SJBHS saw a mass for the primary section on the 27th of July followed by a series of competitions for students from LKG to Std. XII. Drawing and colouring, pencil shading, crossword, essay writing, poetry and quiz competitions were held amidst much excitement for the little ones.

Children participated enthusiastically and the best efforts will be rewarded. As an important part of the Ignatian family, Teachers also took part in competitions for drawing, painting, poetry and essay writing. Adding further colour to the celebration was an exhibition cum sale of handicrafts made by the inmates of Asha Niketan’, The Home for the Differently, on the 29th of July.

The Feast of Ignatian Day was celebrated with characteristic enthusiasm and reverence at St. Joseph's Boys’ High School. The day commenced with a school assembly conducted by Mrs. Jayabharati and students of Class Eight. They solemnly led the school in prayer and enlightened us on the life and conversion of life of the Saint, his heroic contribution to Society, the growth and spread of the Jesuit congregation and its far reaching and continuing contribution to Society.

A joyful Mass followed this. It was celebrated by Fr. Adolf Washington and concelebrated by Rev. Fr. Clifford Sequeira and Rev. Fr. Sunil Fernandes. Dion Mascarenhas of Std. XI introduced the service, highlighting Ignatius' life and his struggle to know God intimately, while radically transforming society through the founding of the Jesuit Congregation. Fr. Adolf reached out to all, even the smallest members, by weaving moral lessons with humorous stories and anecdotes, thus bringing alive the life of Ignatius. The students offered the globe, a symbol of the global reach of the Jesuit Mission; the spiritual exercises, a symbol of growing in the spirituality of Ignatius; the flute, a symbol of joyful education and a sword and knife, symbols of surrender of our worldliness and sin.

After Mass the children returned for a short while to class where they enjoyed a snack and fruit juice. After class, the teachers proceeded to the auditorium for prayer led by Mrs. Alice Pais. This was followed by an enlightening talk by Rev. Fr. Eugene Lobo on the life and contribution of the Saint. It was very educative and well appreciated. Later the Staff got together for a sumptuous lunch hosted by the school.

The excellent organisation of the day's events by our Principal and Vice Principals - Mrs. Angelo and Fr Sunil - made sure that everything went off smoothly. The august presence and loving generosity of our Jesuit priests, Principal, Rev. Fr. Clifford Sequeira and Vice Principal, Fr Sunil brought depth and meaning to this special day.