SACHPS and BEd College Pay Tribute to St Aloysius Gonzaga-the Flame of Compassion
St Aloysius College Higher Primary School {SACHPS} and St Aloysius B Ed College pay tribute to Saint Aloysius Gonzaga-the Flame of Compassion, on His 450th Birthday-at a programme held at SACHPS auditorium on 21 June 2018.
Mangaluru: Who was St. Aloysius Gonzaga? He is an Italian Jesuit saint of the 16th century. Aloysius is the Latin form of Gonzaga’s given name, Luigi. In English, the equivalent form would be Louis. Aloysius Gonzaga was born at Castiglione near Mantua, Italy, in 1568 to a celebrated family of wealth and prestige. As the first born son of his father, Ferrante, and his mother, Marta, he was in line to inherit his father’s title of Marquis. He grew up amid the violence and brutality of the Renaissance Italy and witnessed the murder of two of his brothers. In 1576, Aloysius’ parents sent him to attend the court of the Grand Duke of Tuscany, Francesco de’Medici, in Florence. Later, accompanied by his parents, he traveled to Spain to join the court of Philip II in Madrid.
In Spain, Aloysius decided he wanted to join the newly founded religious order, The Society of Jesus. His father resisted his decision and there followed a struggle of wills that continued after his return to Castiglione in 1584. But Aloysius eventually prevailed. Renouncing his right to the title of Marquis and to the vast wealth he was destined to inherit, he entered the Society of Jesus in Rome on November 25, 1585. During his early studies in Rome, he would regularly go out into the streets of the city to care for victims of the plague. He himself contracted the disease as a result of his efforts for the suffering and died on June 21, 1591, at the age of twenty-three, six years short of his ordination as a Jesuit priest.
Even before his time as a Jesuit, Aloysius was known for his love of prayer and fasting. As a Jesuit at the Roman College, he continued to devote his time to prayer and practices of austerity. Pope Benedict XIII canonized Aloysius in 1726, and three years later declared him to be the patron of youth in the Catholic Church, an honor later confirmed by Pope Pius XI in 1926. The things that Aloysius did were done because of his belief in the reality and dynamics of the love of God. Aloysius Gonzaga loved God by loving others, especially the sick! We are called to love God by loving others as well – all those who need God’s comfort and care and assurance. That was a brief profile on Aloysius Gonzaga.
And to carry on His legacy and his teachings, locally paying a respectful tribute to the Great Saint, the feast of St. Aloysius Gonzaga on His 450th Birthday was celebrated on 21st June by St. Aloysius Higher Primary school along with the B.Ed students in SACHPS auditorium, with love to their Patron. The Jubilee year of St. Aloysius Gonzaga had began with the solemn Eucharistic celebration on 20th June. Swami Jitakamanandaji President Ramakrishna Math, Secretary Ramakrishna Mission was the chief guest for the 21 June programme. He appreciated the institution for the value based education imparted for the students for more than a century. He asked the student to have feelings for others and to be good human beings.
In his speech Swami said, “I am extremely happy to be here to offer my respect to Saint Aloysius Gonzaga, who had sacrificed His life for the suffering humanity. Swami Vivekananda had once written a letter to Mysusr Maharaja in which he stated “They only live, who live for others, the rest are more dead than alive.”. This words of Swami Vivekananda echoes the life and service of Aloysius Gonzaga. More than reading text books, youth should inculcate the qualities of helping, caring and loving others, especially in the time of their needs. But in the present generation such qualities are lacking, which needs to be addressed. Youth should know serving the needy people is equal to serving God. This institution should imbibe the qualities of caring and serving others among the students, thereby follow in the footsteps of their Patron St Aloysius Gonzaga. Finaaly, once again I offer my salutation to the great Saint, who has made a difference in the society, through His followers”.
The Rector Fr.Dionysius Vaz S.J in his valuable message said to be sensitive and compassionate to each other and mother nature. He asked the students to shine and kindle the world in their journey of life. He further said, “Education is a discovery of both parent and child. Parents should not force their children to pursue their career, not of their interest. Allow them to make their decisions. Students should also be compassionate. Even though Dakshina Kannada boasts about being a educational destination, but when it comes caring for the adults/seniors, it has received a poor rating in the recent survey. We need to start respecting our elderly folks, it will be a blessing. Let’s go around and lit the lamp in others hearts, thereby showing our concern and love”.
Prior to this formal programme, drawing competitions were held for the students of Std I to VII. The vote of thanks was proposed by Allan Jason Menezes, while the whole programme was compered by Madhukar Prabhu, Mithil Bhandary, Jane Sequeira and Rishon Nazareth. The programme was also graced by Institution correspondent Fr. Eric Mathias S.J, Headmistress Mrs. Philomena Lewis, St. Aloysius B.Ed College Principal Dr.Mrs Farita Veigas and the vice president of the PTA-Mrs Rekha Fernandes
A beautiful cultural programme put up by the two institutions was a feast for the audience, which comprised of a Bollywood song, Rajasthani Dance, Wishing song, a skit on the life of St Aloysius Gonzaga enacted by school students, Konkani Dance, Kannada Skit performed by B Ed students, and Theme Dance. The glamorous and glittering extravaganza was witnessed by a large number of audience, comprising of parents and well-wishers, and ending in a grand success.
St Aloysius B. Ed College marks the 450th Birth Anniversary of St Aloysius Gonzaga by visiting Old Age Homes
Jesuit education fosters total development of each individual learner and seeks transformation in their lives through infusion of values like, love, compassion,, collaboration, commitment, service and faith in God. St Aloysius B. Ed College constantly strives to instill such values in its trainees through various programmes. As the college is marking the 450th birth anniversary of its patron St Aloysius Gonzaga many programmes have been conducted during the week for the B. Ed students.
In order to develop contemplation leading to action every day reflection on the values upheld by St Aloysius were conducted. These values of love, service, faith, compassion and unity amid our differences were interpreted and translated into contemporary action both in-house and out. One such programme that highlighted the value of compassion and service was a visit to the old age homes.
The students expressed that this visit was an eye opener for them. Many of the inmates were waiting for visitors. They were happy just by meeting them. Some of the students expressed that the senior citizens in the ashrams had no need money or gifts, but they need attention and time. Some also said that While we are attached to digital gadgets, busy connecting to the world, we forget the world of such people in our vicinity. Students also said, we should not forget our aging parents. We have to understand the pain parents take to bring up their children and give them the best. Negligence of aged parents is a crime.
Students were happy about the facilities provided in homes for the aged. The positive reaction of the students to the week long celebrations, their emotional response of compassion triggered by the visit to the old age homes reinforced the decision to make a monthly visit to the Ashrams as a part of the B. Ed programme. The week long activities culminate on the 21st June, 2018 with the celebration of solemn mass and a cultural programme in collaboration with St Aloysius College Higher Primary School.
