St Agnes College launches centenary celebrations 2020

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Jan  04, 2020:  Apostolic Carmel Congregation Superior General Sr M Susheela inaugurated Mother Mary Aloysia Centenary Memorial building and the centenary celebrations at St Agnes College 2020-21 on January 3, Friday.

 

Earlier in the day, Mangaluru diocese bishop Dr Peter Paul Saldanha blessed the Mother Aloysia centenary building. A thanksgiving Eucharistic celebration was held. Bishop Dr Peter Paul Saldanha was the main celebrant and was joined by Mangaluru diocese bishop emeritus Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza and Udupi Bishop Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo. Karnataka Jesuit Province Provincial Superior Fr Dr Jerome Stanislaus D’Souza SJ delivered the homily.

Sr M Susheela said , “ St Agnes College has crossed several milestones in 100 years of existence. It has been a long and enriching journey. Students in St Agnes College learn the value of freedom, responsibility and commitment.”

Bishop of Mangalore diocese Fr Dr Peter Paul Saldanha said; “The college has walked a long distance and empowered women as effective citizens of the country. The institution has made women confident and to believe in themselves.”

MLA U T Khader said, “St Agnes College has contributed much to society and country in the field of education. It has lived up to the expectations of the parents who admit their children.”

Mangalore University Vice Chancellor P S Yadapadithaya said the institution had helped women excel in their careers. “The college is known to do things in a different way,” he stressed.

Director Rambus Inc USA Meera Rao said; “The college had helped students in building self-confidence and in developing leadership qualities.”

  In her welcome address, St Agnes College principal Sr Dr Jeswina Ac pointed out that St Agnes College is a legacy of the sisters of the Apostolic Carmel that was instituted to commemorate the golden years of the Apostolic Carmel Congregation, founded by Mother Veronica in India in 1870. “The centenary year and all the celebrations remind us of the second superior general of the Apostolic Carmel Mother Mary Aloysia, the founder of St Agnes College and a pioneering visionary in the mission of education.” 

Donors were felicitated. MLC Ivan D Souza and former MLA J R Lobo released the calendar of events for the centenary year which includes 100 activities and five mega events.

Provincial Superior Karnataka province Sr M Shamitha, Principal St Agnes College Sr Dr M Jeswina, Managing director Ivory grand real estate Dubai Micheal D ‘Souza, former chairman of Dockendale shipping Australia Leslie J Fernandes, Managing director Hyssna international Ronald Pinto and Chairpersons KEF holdings Shabana and Faizal were present.

THE HISTORY in a nut shell :   Miss Lazarus, the then European  Inspectress of Schools, asked Mother Aloysia ;Why  don’t you raise the status of St. Ann’s High School to that of a College.  The most  encouraging of all was the visit of the D. P. I., Mr. Little-Hales, to Mangalore. He not only  raised no objections but also advised Mother Aloysia on the procedure to be followed,  adding that he himself as a member of the Senate would put in a word on her behalf. This  heartened Mother Aloysia and she informed the Bishop of her intention of opening the Junior  Intermediate class as a tentative measure in June 1920. 

 Accordingly, the Junior I ntermediate class was opened on June 22, 1920 by the Bishop at St.   Ann  in the Garden House with the following subjects:  Part I - English  Part II - Kannada, Malayalam, French   Part III - Ancient and Modern History and Logic.  There were 8 students on roll. Lecturers from St. Aloysius College offered their services.

In October 1920, the High School building at St. Agnes was sanctioned for use as temporary  College. On January 29, 1921 the Madras University Commission inspected the proposed  building and grounds of the College. On the 4th of March, the application for affiliation was   placed before the Senate and it resolved to send it to the Government. The sanction finally    arrived on April 14, 1921. It seems as though the geneses of St. Agnes College was a boon  from God for the 83 years of educational efforts of the Apostolic Carmel.   The College was formally inaugurated on 2nd July, 1921. The Eucharistic Sacrifice was   celebrated in an improvised chapel by Rev. Fr. Proserpio S. J., Rector of St. Aloysius College. Miss Violet Leeks, the Lady Principal, outlined the brief history of the foundation  then known as St. Ann’s College.  Even afetr 100 years going by the glorious progress marches on and hopes to march on with the strong will of AC’s and the Almighty.