School Ethos

 "The specific purpose of our schools is the Christian formation and education of the students. It follows that this apostolate should always be regarded as an essentially pastoral activity, so that we teach the truth with love, and the students acquire, along with a humanistic and scientific culture, a knowledge of the world, of life, and of humanity that is illumined by faith" (Const.n.179).

• No-one doubts today that the Catholic school is a platform for evangelisation and pastoral activity. Its contribution to the cultural dialogue is unique, and seems to be an alternative among the variety of educational options. It is in the school setting, in keeping with the social and cultural conditions of our time, and with the special character given to it by a community of persons, that one can find an example of how to live in the world as believers. 

• In the cultural and educational tradition of the Church, the Augustinian Order has played a distinguished role. For St. Augustine, the human being is a rational believer. Reason and faith, far from being in contention, complement one another. In the educational process, just as in the weaving of Augustine's thought, secular culture and the faith flow together. This is the reason for the affirmation that to serve culture is "one of the duties proper to our Order" (Const.n.178).

• In using the term education, we are speaking of a global reality that embraces the whole person and involves the entire educational community. As a global reality it contributes to the development of the multiple dimensions of the human personality. In other words, an education which transmits culture in an honest way, does not neglect the substance of the faith and, as well as that, awakens social responsibility

• In order to make clear the Augustinian purpose in the educational field, it is necessary to have a community that radiates our spirit with its whole heart. Thus education is imparted by the activity of a community which professes and proclaims certain specific values. This community has as its inspiration the bountiful wellspring of Augustine. This is the nourishing source and, at the same time, the ultimate horizon of our education.

• In contrast to a directive pedagogy, which would foster passivity and dependence, St. Augustine imagined the human being as a seed capable of development. "God would like to sow in every soul the seeds of intelligence, of wisdom" (Serm. 117,11). The function of the external master (parents, educators) must be to channel the release of this hidden potential. That ultimate place, which is made up of feelings, restlessness, and search, is precisely where St. Augustine locates the encounter with God (Ena. 74, 9).