St. Stephen, the Patron Saint

The school derives its name from St. Stephen, the first Christian Martyr, who is regarded as the Patron Saint of the institution and 15th of February is celebrated as St. Stephen’s or The Founder’s Day. St. Stephen is portrayed in glowing terms in the Books of Acts, Chapters 6 and 7 of the Holy Bible.

Stephen was a man of God. He was not only wise but also a person of profound faith. God blessed him richly and he was filled with the Holy Spirit. He performed many miracles and went about spreading the message of God. However, there were some men from Cyrene and Alexandria who were members of a group called “Free Men”. They began to argue with Stephen and were joined in by others from Cilicia and Asia. They were no match with Stephen who spoke with wisdom that the Holy Spirit had bestowed upon him. They influenced the teachers of the Laws of Moses, had Stephen arrested and brought before the Sanhedrin.

There were false allegations made against him that he was talking against the Laws of Moses and saying that Jesus of Nazareth would destroy everything and change the customs that Moses had given. When asked if the allegations were true he spoke badly against evil practices of the Jewish Council who became furious when he said that he could see Jesus standing in all his at the right hand of God. They yelled at the so called abomination, dragged him out of the city and stoned him to death. In the likeness of his master, he too, at the time of death cried out for forgiveness of all those who had tormented and killed him. St. Stephen is a glowing example of spiritual leadership. Even at a very young age he had faith, wisdom, vision, courage, love, forgiveness, humility and above all, he had been inspired by the Holy Spirit. He stands as an outstanding witness of Christ and a radiant martyr for the cause of the Mission.

Let the exemplary life of St.Stephen inspire and influence the pupils of this school in the formation of their character. They are called to face the challenges in their lives more courageously whatever be the price to pay.

Let us remember that our pupils are “STEPHENITES”