ST. GEORGE
A SOLDIER SAINT
THE TINY SEED GREW INTO A LARGE TREE
Our society, the
Patrician Brothers, in existence from February 2nd, 1808 when at the request of
our founder, Dr. Daniel Delany, a number of young men rallied round him in
Tullow,Co. Carlow, Ireland. This group began working for the betterment of the
people, labouring under one of the most iniquitous penal codes known to history.
Education was the direction they took.
What began as a tiny seed, grew
into a large tree, it's branches spreading not only in Ireland but far beyond
it's shores to other countries. The first Indian school was founded in Madras
(now called Chennai) in 1875. In 1894 the Brothers of St. Patrick assumed
responsibility for Manor House, and St. Fedelis' High School.
The four
pioneers, Brothers Stapleton, Forde, Byrne and Delany, came in answer to the
call of the Archbishop of Agra, Most. Rev. Dr. Vanden Bosch, and the wish of the
Capuchin Fathers. It was felt that the ministry of the Word imperatively
demanded the undivided attention of all Priest available, in the then far -
extended Archdiocese and that of a group devoted solely to education was of the
utmost importance.
The Brothers of St. Patrick in Madras had in a short
time one golden opinion there, as a brand of earnest and religious men and there
reputation had spread to Agra. Hence, the pioneers were received with open arms
when they arrived in Barlowganj.
The first Brother to become Principal
was Bro. Stapleton. He guided both school for one year. In 1894, Bro. Stapleton
was succeeded in St. Fedelis' by Bro. Byrne and he reminded Principal of St.
George's. With these two Principals both schools entered the 20th century. Bro.
Haverty was Principal of St. George's for many years after Bro. Stapleton. He
levelled the top of the hill and it what is now the " Top Flat ".
The
extension of dormitories, classrooms, playgrounds, roads, etc. continued over
the years, often the haphazard way that evolves when the flow of fund is
spasmodic. The most notable addition were the Science Laboratories in 1925, a
frontage of Colonades and Arches and Chiming Clock. Whytebank Castle and
Brooklands Estates with Wympers Pool were acquired in 1939. An Auditorium in
1942 and a Workshop for mechanics and hobbies were constructed in 1967.
It was the partition of Sub-continent after Independence that caused the
greatest change in the character of both Manor House and St. Fidelis' and led to
their amalgamation. Previous to that they catered mainly for members of the
Anglo - Indian Community and of the Catholic Religion. After 1947 they broadened
their scope of service to include all groups in the integrated society that is
typical of Manor House today.
A comment from Bro. A. J. Fitzpatrick :
"When the final reckoning was made and the last tale told, the year produced
only one real casualty and that was an institution with a great and long
tradition. St. Fidelis' folded up as a separate entity and was amalgamated with
St. George's College. " It was a strange alliance for two such fierce rivals who
had battled for supremacy in the final of nearly every tournament down the
years. "
The Doon Valley Down the Ages by Prem Hari
Lal.
St. George's College was started in 1853 through
the efforts of Rev. McTye. It was opened in a cottage known as Manor House - the
name by which the campus is still known. It was founded by the Archbishop of
Patna with the object of educating Roman Catholics. Later it was taken over by
the Capuchin Fathers who handed it over to the Patrician Brothers of Ireland in
March 1894.
Down through the years St. George's has helped to establish a number of other Patrician Schools in India. During the past decade, it was felt that it was high time that most of the school facilities needed to be modernised and that some new ones were needed. The following is a list of additions, improvements etc. which give :
A NEW LOOK FOR THE CENTENARY YEAR :
(Well, if you are not impressed, you should be !!!!)
EXTRACTS FROM A LETTER FROM FATHER J.
DOOGAN
PRINCIPAL OF ST. GEORGE'S COLLEGE,
DATED SEPT.20TH, 1893
My dear Br. Hogan,
The Madras papers tell
me that you left Bombay on 8th inst. for Ireland. Well done!! Now I trust that
you will settle all and everything so as to return "home" soon with a small army
of good Brothers to take up those Institutions. I have explained all to you, and
told you the exact state of affairs, so I need not repeat them. Tell your
Superior General not to lose this good opportunity, for a chance like this is no
easy matter to get.
The advantages are :-
No one will interfere with you in the management of these Institutions.
In the Orphanage you can have a host of small boys. They pay well and give no
trouble and the grant-in-aid is just as much for them as for big boys. So both
schools are in good working order and full of boys - and they are paying
well.
The propaganda is insisting on the Archbishop getting a teaching
body for our schools, so that he can use the priests for Missionary work. As you
increase in numbers you can take over the Agra and Shimla schools in
time.
This must be a new "Ireland" and the great headquarters for the
Patricians in India.
P.S.
Bring out with you a good sod of shamrock;
it will take root here - Bring Hawthron-seed, Laburnum and Lilac, a small tree,
one each.
J.
Doogan.
Principal of St. George's
College,
Manor
House
Mussoorie.
St. George is one of the illustrious Martyrs
of the Catholic Church. Born in Cappadocia towards the close of the third
century, he chose to be a soldier and soon rose to be a tribune in the army of
Emperor Diocletan. However, when Diocletan waged war against Christians, St.
George threw up his commission in protest. Consequently, he was tortures and
finally beheaded.
St. George came to be regarded as a patron of Military
men, as he said to have appeared to the Christian army before a battle in the
First Crusade. the success of this battle made St. George famous; may European
rulers came to believe that success was ensured through his
intercession.
In 1930 the English King Edward III instituted the Order of
Knighthood in Europe under the ensign of St. George the Victorious. As years
rolled by, he became the successful combatant against evil, the slayer of the
dragon, the theme of military camp songs, till finally in the eyes of even the
Saracens he became the "White Horsed Knight". His "cultus" is the most widely
spread and the most ancient in the Catholic Church. In the East is a Church of
St. George; in the west, Malta, Barcelona, Calencia, Aragon, Genoa, Portugal and
England have chosen him as their patron saint.
St. George is usually
portrayed on horseback tilting at a dragon under his feet. This is emblematic,
purporting that by his faith and Christian fortitude he conquered the Devil, the
evil.
THE LEGEND
In the
province of Libya, so the legend runs, was a town near which, in a gloomy
forest, there dwelt a dragon as rapid as light and so strong that no human arm
could injure it. It was the terror of the surrounding country; and the
unfortunate inhabitants, after sacrificing to its voracious appetite their
entire herds and flock, were at obliged to give their own bodies to satisfy its
greed.
Lots were cast each day to decide whose turn it was to become the
food of this ferocious monster. At last a lot fell to the King's only daughter,
a young and a beautiful maiden, dear to every heart.
The whole city wept
as the little princess went forth in her royal robes of spotless white, with a
crown of lilies on her head, to die by the teeth of the dragon.
As the
solitary maiden passed weeping out of the city gates, it happened that a noble
knight, no other than the great Saint George, changed to pass; and seeing her
distress, he stopped to inquire its cause.
On hearing her story he
replied:
"Fear not Princess, for I will deliver you."
"Brave
knight, tarry not, I beg of you", entreated the noble-hearted maiden," for you
cannot save me from the fate that awaits me, and you yourself will be devoured
by the cruel dragon".
The courageous knight, nothing daunted, remained
where he stood, and when the dragon appeared, making the sign of the cross, he
went forward to meet it, pinning it to earth with his lance.
The princes,
overjoyed, then approached the helpless monster, and entwining her girdle about
its neck, she led it, a prisoner, to the city gates.
The dragon in this
legend, of course, represents Satan, and Saint George, his powerful destroyer,
the Church of God.
The feast of this great Saint is kept in England, with
great solemnity, on April 23rd.
A SHORT HISTORY OF MUSSOORIE AND
MANOR
HOUSE
The "Queen of Hills" as Mussoorie is called is hardly a century
and a half old. Before the years 1823 the whole range was covered with virgin
vegetation which was the undisputed domain of partners, bears, kakars, foxes and
other animals constituting the rich fauna of the lower ridge of the
Himalayas.
It is situated at 30 degree 27 inch North and 78 degree 5 inch
East. It stands on the outer crests of the mountains facing the plains. Its
height is between 6,000 and 7,800 ft., above M.S.L.
Its panoramic views
are unforgettable: to the North East lie the great range of the Himalayas
covered with perpetual snow; to the South of the city Dehra Dun with its green
plateau; then the Siwalik Hills and beyond these the great Indian Plain with the
Ganges river of the East and the Yamuna to the South West. The climate of
Mussoorie is cool and pleasant.
At the beginning of the last century the
whole region belonged to the Gurkhas. It was only in the year 1815 that the
British, to secure the northern frontier, fought and defeated the Gurkhas at
Kalinga, a fortress near Dehra Dun and Became masters of the valley and the
surrounding hills.
Dehra Dun which at that time was a big village became
an important administrative and military centre. With its cantonment and civil
lines and the surrounding hills it became the ideal place for hunting and
excursions.
In the year 1823 Mr Shore, the superintendent of Dehra Dun,
and Captain Young built the first house in Mussoorie on Camel's Back. It was
only a shooting block but with that Mussoorie was born. Soon afterwards Captain
Young built his residence at Landour (Mullinagar) and by the year 1825 he had
built houses and barracks as places to rest and convalescence for his soldiers.
Similarly the Platoon Bazar (Landour Bazar) came into existence and British and
other European gentlemen brought estates and built cottages.
The first
building at Kulri was 'Zephir Cottage'. An Italian gentleman Mr. Solaroli
brought the whole Waverley Estate and built his house there. A British gentleman
Mr. Hutton bought the whole hill two miles south of Landour. There he built his
residence and called it 'Manor House'.
The population of Mussoorie grew
very fast and in the year 1942 the first Municipal Board was constituted and was
housed close to the Himalaya Club which had been built one year
previously.
One of the main personalities in Mussoorie at the time was a
certain Mr. MacKinnon. In the year 1842 he edited the first paper of Mussoorie
called "The Hills". He also opened the first school situated where now stands
the telephone Exchange. he also built Mussoorie Brewery. It ruins can still be
seen on the road from Barlowganj to Sunny View.
One of the missionaries
(Capuchin Fathers) in the year 1845 brought Waverley property from Mr. Solaroli
and began a boarding school for girls. The school was managed by Sisters of
Jesus and Mary from the beginning.
In the month of January 1853 Mr. Carli
brought the property of Manor House from Mr. Hutton and in the same year the
first principal Rev. Fr. Barry received the first students and began classes.
The School was called St. George's College.
St. Fidelis' School began in
1863 when 29 children were transferred from the Catholic Orphan Asylum at
Shimla. Fr. Macken was principal of both schools until the year 1868. Many of
the dormitories and classrooms were built during his time.
In the year
1873 Fr. James Doogan came to Manor House. He remained principal of both schools
until the year 1893. he was a very capable and popular man. He improved the
buildings, increased the number of students and raised the standard of education
and soon both schools became renowned throughout the North of India.
In
1893, due to increasing missionary work and shortage of priests both schools
were handed over to the Patrician Brother, an institution dedicated to the
education of youth. The first Brother to become principal was Brother Stapleton.
As principal Bro. Haverty levelled the top of the hill and made what is now the
top flat.
In 1948 two schools were amalgamated and called St. George's
College