This week, our Year 12 Lamp Bearers Ferina Ulku and Joelle Barbar have written about their role in the College and the symbolism of the items they use in their role as Lamp Bearers.

Role of Lamp Bearers:

What is our role? What are we going to do? What are our goals and dreams of being the 2022 College Lamp Bearers?

The Role of Lamp Bearers at Marian College is both an honour and a privilege. As Lamp Bearers, we work extensively with the student body, other Student Leaders and teachers, to;

Collaborate and brainstorm solutions for problems around the school
Lead school liturgies and assemblies,
Support all students from Year 7 - 12
Show prospective parents around the College
Welcome special guests to the College, and
Plan and organise leadership initiatives.

We acknowledge both the Kildare Ministries and Brigidine Core Values, and aim to demonstrate these qualities in everyday life.

Our dream for this role is clear, to make the school community the best it can be and to leave a long lasting, positive impact on the community in which students are introduced to. We aim to create an inclusive environment, promoting strength and kindness where each student is encouraged to use their voice and speak up about issues prevalent in the school community.

We consciously endeavour to create a welcoming and approachable environment for the wider school community and aim to be reliable role models that students feel inclined to turn to in times of hardship. In doing so, we aim to promote the values of strength and kindness, integrity, perseverance and teamwork.

Our goals this year is to refine and solve challenges evident in our school community, such as changes to the College canteen and uniform. We hope to use problem-solving and teamwork skills to work collaboratively with other leaders, to come up with appropriate courses of action regarding these concerns.

Symbols

The Lamp of Learning:

Symbolism and meaning of the -

Lamp (St. Brigid) and light (Nano Nagle) + Daniel Delany

The Lamp of Learning is used by Kildare Ministries schools, following in the footsteps of St Brigid and the Brigidine Tradition. It signifies the light of learning and the light of Christianity and is a symbol of faith. The lamp honours a story dating back to 5th Century Ireland, where St. Brigid and her community of sisters nurtured the eternal flame, allowing the fire to keep alight. The lamp is used as a way to honour the heritage of St. Brigid and her monastery in Kildare, and demonstrates the radiance brought to young people through the power of education.

The College Banner:

Symbolism behind the College banner and crest

The crest of Marian College can be found throughout the school, for example, on the student uniform. It is also prominent on the College banner which is used in ceremonies such as liturgies and assemblies.

The crest comprises of two crosses, a lamp and the school motto. The Cross of St. Brigid, found at the top of the crest, is based on a simple cross of reeds that Brigid used to teach others about the Catholic faith and the gospel and teachings of Christ. The cross was woven by Brigid from green rushes that formed a carpet as a chieftain (Leader of the people) lay dying on the floor. Brigid described both the life and death of Jesus to the man, who after listening, requested to be baptised before he passed. This weaving of the cross is a tradition still evident throughout Ireland to this day and is used by the Brigidine Sisters as their emblem.

The cross of diamonds has been adapted from the badge of Daniel Delany, who originally founded the Brigidine Sisters in Ireland 1807.

The lamp found in the centre of the crest is used as a symbol of the light of learning and strong Christian faith. It is used as a means to express the heritage of St. Brigid and uniting a community of learners.

The Marian College motto, “Strength and Kindness,” was the motto of Daniel Delany. This motto teaches us to live out values of strength, kindness, love and respect, to mirror the characteristics of Brigid.

The original designer of the banner was a student named Patricia Wale, who was asked to design the emblem by the Principal at the time, Mother Stephanie O’Neill.

Kildare Ministries Cross:

Where did it come from? Who designed it? Why do we use it in our ceremonies?

The cross was gifted to Marian College by Kildare Ministries. It resembles the Kildare Ministries logo, which includes three separate symbols; a circle, flame and cross, which together represent the complex aspect of God. Just as God exists as a Triune relationship being the Father (circle), Son (cross), and Holy Spirit (flame), the circle, flame and cross mirror this intimate relationship. The three symbols come together as one, although they exist as three persons.

The cross itself is symbolic of Christ, who died and was resurrected for humanity, and the immense love he had for all. The cross leans upwards and towards the right, which is representative of optimism, focusing on the future and hope in what is to come. By using the cross in ceremonies we honour Christ and his sacrifices, and demonstrate Marian College’s commitment to Jesus’ teachings, Kildare Ministries and the Brigidine Sisters. The cross is used as a token of unity, community and as an expression of faith. The Kildare Ministries Cross is now part of all our Ceremonies.

Staff

What have staff been learning about this year?

Throughout February and March, Miss McGrath and Mrs Casey have been attending weekly workshops titled: Lent: an opportunity to explore Lent anew with Rev Dr Elio Capra SDB.

The program has given us an opportunity to take some time exploring the meaning of Lent in the context of the Sacramental life of the Church. The program invites us to reflect on the Lenten Gospels through visual art. Fr Elio has been taking us on a journey towards the Resurrection of Jesus from a Johannine perspective and the origins of Lent, making connections to the Sacraments of Initiation celebrated at the Easter Vigil. We have been exploring the Synoptic texts (Matthew, Mark and Luke) to help us truly reflect on the gift of Jesus, in his life, death and resurrection. Each session has offered us time for dialogue and reflection using art to stimulate our thinking and provide a renewed understanding of the Lenten Season.

What new insights have we gained?

My learning about Lent so far have been focused around the idea of what we gain rather than what we lose. I have been gaining appreciation for the gifts that we all have and the importance of letting our life shine onto the dark places in our world, our selves and our community. Over this forty day period, I am holding the image of Jesus in the desert close to my heart. We will all be faced with trying times, but we are not without our guide, nor our disciples.

Miss McGrath

The recontextualised take on Lent has given me an opportunity to explore and discuss the idea of ‘seeking change’ which is a core aspect of our Living Justice Living Peace charter. Through an analysis of artistic imagery, I have contemplated how Jesus’ ministry challenged the norm through compassion, for a more peaceful community.

Mrs Casey

Lent is a time in the Church where we look at how our responses speak of compassion toward others. It is a time when we think about how our words and actions impact those around us and how we can build broken relationships through compassion.

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