About:

THE FOUNDRESS

      "Venerable Ignacia del Espiritu Santo is the genuine product of the nation in the highest order", runs an article in the September 7,1893 issue of the weekly newspaper, La Illustracion Filipina. She was the foundress of a religious institution that still lives vigorously its pristine spirit through centuries after its foundation.

     

  Data on the early life of Mother Ignacia is very sketchy; the whole summary is recorded in her baptismal entry. The Libro de Bautismos de la Iglesia de los Santos Reyes de Parian states that she was the daughter of Jusepe Luco and Maria Geronima, and baptized on March 4, 1663, with Catalina Malinang as godmother. The same record gives her devotional name "del Espiritu Santo", a providential choice which may have been a manifestation of her parents devotion or the suggestion of the officiating priest.

     

 The next record we have of his charismatic figure is given us by the Jesuit historian, Fr. Pedro Murillo Velarde, who gives a comprehensive account of the grown-up Ignacia. In 1684, when she was twenty-one year old, Ignacia's parents decided it was her time to get married. However, matrimony held no attraction to Ignacia. She was more inclined to a life of total dedication to God, and the Beaterio de Santa Catalina seemed to the answer.

    

Seeking direction from the Jesuit, Fr, Paul Klein, she was advised to make the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius so that God's will may be made known to her. At the end of her retreat, her inspiration took form in the resolution: "to remain in the service of the Divine Majesty and to live by the Sweat of her brow."

     

This personal decision did not remain a sterile ambition, but was fulfilled. Her faith, courage, generous self-sacrifice and charity inspired other native girls to join her. What resulted was a steady increase of members whose life of service attracted many more to follow her example.

   

With the growth of the community there arose the need for some structure and order life. This was provided by the Jesuits who directed the group in formulating a written set of rules patterned after the Ignacian spirituality. Thus was born the "Beaterio de la Compania', which developed into congregation of the Religious Virgin Mary (RVM) of the twentieth century. The spirit of poverty, humility, penance, confidence in God and unbounded charity that characterized her long life became the distinguishing marks of her daughters.

      

Service to her neighbor and the overflow of their love to God, was manifested in the beats' contribution to the spread of the retreat movement for women in the country. Soon the institution started accepting young girls as resident pupils, and beatas expanded their apostolate to education.

    

Venerable Ignacia del Espiritu Santo died on September 10,1448. Tradition tells us that she went back to her creator after receiving Holy Communion in the Church of St. Ignatius. Fr. Murillo Velarde paid the highest tribute to her when he described her as the truly valiant woman, "mortified, patient, devout, deeply spiritual, very humble and zealous for the good of souls"

       

Today, the Religious of the Virgin Mary collaborates with the Church in various ministries in the Philippines and overseas mission. The RVM Sisters minister to God's people through education, retreat direction, catechetics, dormitory and seminary apostolate, pastoral and social work, and other ministries where they are needed through which God's greater glory may be served.

Vision:

  We, the Saint Mary's Academy of Capiz community, true to our Ignacian Marian identity, witness to the compassionate love of Jesus. We harness our potentials and nurture their growth towards individual and communal responsibilities for moral transformation of self and society.

Mission:

   We commit ourselves to:

1. promote a culture of appreciation, support and harmony for our school to be leaven of social transformation;

2. grow in discernment, interior freedom, and individual and communal responsibility;

3. pursue constantly innovative programs, approaches and educational strategies to develop world class professionals;

4. form Ignacian Marian leaders who witness to faith, excellence and service in varied socio-cultural settings;

5. assist in building up resources to sustain the programs of the school;

6. intensify the scholarship program for the poor.

Goal:

  Discerning, proficient and skilled Ignacian-Marian, who witness to faith, excellence and service in all aspects of life.