Asia/Bahrain – A gift for everyone.Sacred Heart Catholic School in Manama celebrates 75th anniversary
Written by Antonella Prena
Manama (Agenzia Fides) – To start the day, men and women of all ages joined together to sing the Bahrain national anthem, as befits an important occasion. And this occasion is truly a reason to celebrate. Today, Monday, December 11th, the Catholic Sacred Heart School in Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain celebrates its 75th anniversary. The “anniversary” was celebrated with dancing and prayers by the 1,400 students aged between 4 and 16 who currently attend various classes at the school, and was attended by Minister of Education Mohammad bin Mubarak Jumae and the Bahrain Distinguished guests such as the apostolic legate were also in attendance. Archbishop Eugene Martin Nugent.
With everyone’s service
The 75th anniversary of the founding of Sacred Heart School (SHS) is an important sign of the Christian presence in this country, as well as a sign of unanimous support from the majority of the non-Christian population and the national authorities. Bishop Aldo Berardi, Apostolic Vicar of Northern Arabia, who presided over the celebration, said, “In addition to some members of the royal family, other notable figures from the country have attended the school, including doctors, engineers, lawyers, and businessmen.” Stated. “They appreciate and continue to appreciate the value of the education that the school has given them and provides to today’s students. There are so many applicants that there is a long waiting list.”
Since March 2023, Bishop Berardi has also served as principal of the Sacred Heart School, whose motto is “Caritas and Veritas”. This school is open to all nationalities and the country’s various religious communities. As part of our agreement with the Bahrain Ministry of Education, 20% of our students are now of Bahraini nationality. “The school is the second largest school in the Apostolic Agency in northern Arabia, with 60% Catholics, 26% Muslims, and small numbers of Hindus and Buddhists,” said the 5th Apostolic Carmelite school. Sister Roselyn, one of the Sisters of Humanity, explains: To school with her teachers, to Fidesz. Sister Roselyn, who is also the institute’s principal, said: “Our students represent 28 different nationalities and it is precisely this diversity that allows us to form a cohesive community.” added. “At our school we teach the Catholic faith and work well with families belonging to other faiths. A good education is the basis of our students’ future. And their future is ours too. ” continues the nun.
The sisters live on the grounds of Sacred Heart Parish in Manama. This parish is the only Catholic diocese in the country, along with the Cathedral of Our Lady of Arabia in Awari. In the two churches, services are celebrated with different rites, adjusting the space and pastoral program to reflect the multifaceted nature of the local Catholic community, which is comprised of immigrants from different countries and traditions of the Church. The sisters are happy with the support and gratitude they have received from local authorities.
The school also reflects the ‘unity in diversity’ that characterizes Bahrain’s church community. In this sense, Sacred Heart Girls’ School is a vibrant and diverse community of students, teachers, staff and former students from different backgrounds and cultures. Throughout the year, teachers and students organize events and activities to promote multiculturalism and social responsibility.
gratitude and recognition
The appreciation and recognition that Sacred Heart School enjoys today is the result of a long and nontrivial history of educational work for the benefit of all people.
Sacred Heart School was founded in 1948 by Capuchin missionary Barnabas Muddy with the support of its first principal, Martin, an Anglo-Indian who, along with a group of teachers, set up the first classes. As the years passed, the number of applications for admission to the institute increased. In 1952, Bishop Luigi Mariacani, then the Vicar of the Arabian Pope, was arrested by the British during World War II and exiled to India (see Fides, May 11, 2022), but he became the Grand Master of the Order of Comboni. asked Sister Karla. Tolozeni, along with her other sisters, will run the school. After some changes and efforts, the Institute is now run with the same dedication by the Sisters of the Carmel Apostolic Community.
The anniversary celebrations will begin tomorrow, December 12, with a Eucharistic Mass to be held in the Diocese of Manama. (Agenzia Fides, November 12, 2023)
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