The Santo Agostinho School in Leblon celebrates its 75th anniversary with the same ideals: to accompany children in their integral development.
On the first day of the Santo Agostinho School, March 18, 1946, only 80 students attended its facilities. Today, celebrating the 75th anniversary of the educational institution of the Augustinian Recollects in Leblon (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil), there are more than 2,000 children who receive education and formation in the center. The College celebrates this year three quarters of centuries of history and life. In 75 years, the CSA has educated thousands of Brazilians in a fruitful and exciting project which, today, is the clearest example of the commitment of the Augustinian Recollects for the educational apostolate.
On the occasion of this 75th anniversary, the Prior General, Miguel Miro, recently sent a message of congratulations and gratitude for the work done during these decades. In his letter, he indicates that “we have been sowing love and science” in this neighborhood of Rio de Janeiro for 75 years, without distinction of social class or race. Although the center has been transformed since 1946 when it opened its doors for the first time, he assures that “it remains faithful to the principles that inspired it”.
The history of Colegio Santo Agostinho invites, as he indicates, to “bet with passion for Catholic education”. In this line, the Prior General reinforces the commitment of the Order for the Augustinian Recollect education: “It accompanies the boys and girls so that they can grow in an integral way, educating mind and heart. Miró emphasizes effort and freedom as values that help create responsible and caring people.
Like the ASC, the rest of the educational centers aspire to be Catholic and Augustinian: “Faith in Jesus and Augustinian interiority are not opposed to human values nor to a quality educational offer, rather they enhance and complement them; they give them meaning and depth”.
Finally, St. Augustine recalled that St. Augustine is “the pedagogical reference”; his itinerary “is a valid proposal for an educational project that integrates the person”. In these times of change, “it is even more necessary to walk together and put effort in an education that from faith and personal witness teaches to live and grow in humanity”.
The opening of the 75th anniversary of the Snato Agostinho College took place on March 20 in a Eucharist presided over by the Prior Provincial of the Province of St. Thomas of Villanova, Miguel Angel Hernandez. The celebrations will continue until August 28, the feast of St. Augustine.