Beginnings..............
The ASSUMPTION: A History
at the special request of St. Pius X, a group of English- speaking Assumption sisters returned to Manila in 1904.
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With the group of Sisters were Mother Helen Margaret as Superior, and Mother Rosa Maria who subsequently spent sixty-one of her seventy years of religious life in the Religious of the Assumption in the Far East. The Sisters opened the Assumption Convent in Herran-Dakota, Malate, as an elementary and secondary school. A College Department was added in 1940.
World War II destroyed practically the whole school as building were razed to the ground in the liberation of Manila in 1945. Classes resumed in quonset huts and in a battered auditorium in Herran. |
Mother Rosa Maria's unfailing courage and confidence brought Assumption Manila back to its feet and relaunched it towards even broader perspectives. In 1947 reconstruction began and the College reopened in 1948.
In 1958, the sisters opened Assumption San Lorenzo in Makati to ease the ever-increasing student population on all levels. The College was moved there in 1959.
During this time, a group of Assumption women/alumna kept the teachings of Marie Eugenie in their hearts. "What is it that makes character and intelligence grow, what is it that strongly coordinates all learning, serves as goal, connection, reason? In a sense, it is a philosophy, and in another, even larger sense, it is a passion. But what passion should be given? A passion of faith and love, a passion for making the law of Christ a reality."
They founded the organization of an Alumnae Association, with alumnae divided into two groups, the Senior Alumnae with eight board members, the Junior group, composed of post-war graduates, with Zelatrices for each class. Social Service activities were again emphasized, such as the C.W.L., the YLAC, the White Cross, the Damas de la Caridad, Cruzada de Amor, as well as the Legion of Mary, visitations of and aid extended to Welfareville, the Psychopathic and Orthopedic hospitals, the Leprosarium and the prisons. Annual Retreats were also sponsored for the alumnae.
In 1965, younger Old Girls felt there was a need to organize more formally, and thus the terms "Assumption Alumnae Association" came into being. Younger alumnae organized themselves under this name with a constitution and by-laws proposed by Gloria Litton, elected first president of the organization. Then Senior and Junior alumnae agreed there was a need for one overall alumnae association. Thus a formal merging was agreed upon, elections were held under the organizing genius of Conchita Sunico, and the first and formal Alumnae Association became a reality with Zenaida Quezon Avanceña as president.
Today we honor the women who dedicated their lives to Assumption Family. The presidents of the Assumption Alumnae Association continue to give sunshine to the young assumptionistas, so that the richness of the past can provide a roadmap for the freedom of expression of self. Yes, the little flowers have scattered their fragrance through the years of service, love and passion fro Assumption.
In 1958, the sisters opened Assumption San Lorenzo in Makati to ease the ever-increasing student population on all levels. The College was moved there in 1959.
During this time, a group of Assumption women/alumna kept the teachings of Marie Eugenie in their hearts. "What is it that makes character and intelligence grow, what is it that strongly coordinates all learning, serves as goal, connection, reason? In a sense, it is a philosophy, and in another, even larger sense, it is a passion. But what passion should be given? A passion of faith and love, a passion for making the law of Christ a reality."
They founded the organization of an Alumnae Association, with alumnae divided into two groups, the Senior Alumnae with eight board members, the Junior group, composed of post-war graduates, with Zelatrices for each class. Social Service activities were again emphasized, such as the C.W.L., the YLAC, the White Cross, the Damas de la Caridad, Cruzada de Amor, as well as the Legion of Mary, visitations of and aid extended to Welfareville, the Psychopathic and Orthopedic hospitals, the Leprosarium and the prisons. Annual Retreats were also sponsored for the alumnae.
In 1965, younger Old Girls felt there was a need to organize more formally, and thus the terms "Assumption Alumnae Association" came into being. Younger alumnae organized themselves under this name with a constitution and by-laws proposed by Gloria Litton, elected first president of the organization. Then Senior and Junior alumnae agreed there was a need for one overall alumnae association. Thus a formal merging was agreed upon, elections were held under the organizing genius of Conchita Sunico, and the first and formal Alumnae Association became a reality with Zenaida Quezon Avanceña as president.
Today we honor the women who dedicated their lives to Assumption Family. The presidents of the Assumption Alumnae Association continue to give sunshine to the young assumptionistas, so that the richness of the past can provide a roadmap for the freedom of expression of self. Yes, the little flowers have scattered their fragrance through the years of service, love and passion fro Assumption.