EL COMIENZO DE UN SUEÑO
EL COMIENZO DE UN SUEÑO
The Beginning of a Dream
Mary, Mother of the Redeemer and of the Redeemed
It has been a long tradition of the Christian Church to refer Mary, the Mother of Jesus, as the Mother of Mercy. Early Christians sought the Mercy of God through Mary. In the traditional prayer Salve Regina, Mary is hailed both as a triumphant Queen and an ever merciful Mother.
She holds a very distinct role in the salvific mission of Christ. She has been and still remains as the inspiration of the Mercedarian spirituality – a tender Mother in whom Mercedarians trust, to fulfil their own redemptive mission to the oppressed, outcast and marginalized.
St. Peter Nolasco and the Mercedarian Order
During the 12th century, differences in religion and culture led to centuries-long conflict between the Moors and Christian kingdoms.
ST. PETER NOLASCO, a merchant and a holy man in a radical sense, became so concerned to the plight of the Christian captives for freedom. He, under the inspiration of Our Lady of Mercy, dreamt of liberating Christians even in exchange of his life --- and so the birth of the Mercedarian Order in 1218 . (The Royal, Celestial and Military Order of Our Lady of Mercy and the Redemption of the Captives)
HACIA EL SUEÑO
Towards the Dream
Margarita: A Passionate Educator
Blessed Margarita Maria’s life was focused on the great ideal of living the Gospel radically as a Mercedarian nun; that is to follow Jesus through a life of prayer and community, and to offer herself to all human beings. Meeting with Jesus was her greatest joy. This dream inspired her to move out from the cloistered convent to the real world. A missionary and educator herself, she was willing to go wherever God want to take her, so she began the journey to realize her dream of becoming near to Jesus ― with the poor, broken and marginalized, towards a journey of transformation.
LA BUSQUEDA DE UN SUEÑO
The Pursuit of a Dream
The Mercedarian Missionaries of Berriz (MMB)
The Mercedarian Missionaries of Berriz, an International Religious Institute of Women dedicated for the integral liberation of all peoples, came to the Philippines in 1970. With the ardent desire to actualize Mother Margarita’s dream of becoming near to Jesus, the MMB wanted to emerge themselves in an apostolate which can best foster genuine freedom from enslaving forces of all sorts ― poverty, ignorance, and violence ― that is Education.
The Birth of OLMK
1982 ― during the years of political turmoil in the Philippines, the MMB Sisters envisioned an education that will cater the children especially in their formative years. They knew that the greatest key to battle the injustices, abuses, and violence of Martial Law, was not similar to how St. Peter Nolasco rescued the captives before, but only through the liberating power of education. Hence, the foundation of Our Lady of Mercy Kindergarten.
The Founding Years
Then Parish Priest, Fr. Walter de Vilder, CICM, strongly supported the MMBs in pursuing a summer class for pre-school in 1982. 1985 – A new school building had been constructed to accommodate the increasing number of enrollees. It catered to three levels: Nursery, Kinder and Preparatory.
Sr. Aurora A. Falcasantos, MMB, OLMK first principal, had been a great instrument for the realization of Mo. Margarita’s dream. She, during her 15-year tenure (1982-1997), focused on strengthening OLMKs thrust to empower young learners in their formative years.
1995 - Department of Education, Culture and Sports granted OLMK government recognition because of its exemplary performance in pre-school education.
UN SUEÑO REALIZADO
A Dream Realized
The New Millennium: Mercedarian School’s Conception
2000 - Came the Jubilee year, OLMK, under the leadership of Sr. Norlyn A. Arnad, MMB, emerged into a period of renewal and transformation. Inspired by the zeal of Mo. Margarita, the MMB took a leap of faith as they venture to open the elementary level and began the construction of a new building.
OLMK has then been renamed as MERCEDARIAN SCHOOL, without losing its original identity. The word MERCED encompasses the whole Mercedarian charism and spirituality of mercy and compassion. Still under the patronage of Mary, Our Lady of Mercy, the school underwent a revisiting and updating of its Vision and Mission, Goals and Objectives.
For Justice and Liberation
MS courageously responded to the need of LIBERATION with a deep sense of commitment for JUSTICE, PEACE and INTEGRITY OF CREATION.
2006 – A year of abounding Mercy of God for the Mercedarian family. Mo. Margarita, by merits of her holiness and heroic virtues, has been declared BLESSED. This coincides with the government recognition given by DepEd to Mercedarian School’s elementary level. Further, the first graduates of Mercedarian School marched to commencement in March of 2006 when the Mercedarian Hymn has been composed.
Sr. Geraldine E. Ong, MMB, became the third principal for the school year 2007-2008. School administration has been entrusted to Sr. Evelyn N. Llanto, MMB in 2008. It was during her term that parent engagement became evident resulting to an enriched collaboration. This also prompted the school to offer continued education for students in the secondary level. DepEd granted the school to open its High School Department in January 2013.
CUMPLIMIENTO DE UN SUEÑO
Fulfillment of a Dream
Mercedarians in the 21st Century
Ensuring quality and excellence, the school continues to develop and improve its academic programs vis-à-vis enjoyable learning atmosphere, through its co- and extra-curricular activities, where students can fully maximize their potentials as prescribed by the Enhanced Basic Education (K12) curriculum.
Thus, DepEd recognized its High School level in 2016 with the first batch of Grade 10 completing Junior High School.
Sr. Maria Fleurdelis O. Calidguid, MMB, the current principal, has been appointed last April 2017.
This 2018, the Mercedarian School joins the whole Mercedarian Family worldwide in jubilation for the 800th Year of the Order known as Jubileo de la Merced.
