Loreto Convent Lucknow

Infobox_School
name = Loreto Convent


motto = Maria Regina Angelorum Cruci Dum Spiro Fido
established = 1872 by Loreto Nuns
type = Private
affiliation = (CISCE)
city = flagicon|India Lucknow
state = UP
country = IN
website =
prizes =

Loreto Convent, Lucknow is a premiere educational institution for girls founded in 1872 and located in Lucknow, the capital of the Indian State of Uttar Pradesh. [http://www.indiaatbest.com/edu_best_sc.htm] Loreto Convent is under the management of the Sisters of the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary, usually known as the Loreto Nuns. From the stately portals of Loreto Convent, generations of girls and boys (boys were admitted upto the 1960's) have gone out to make their mark in the world. Many of its Alumnae have earned name and fame and the school itself has maintained a high profile amidst the ever-growing number of educational institutions that have sprung up around it. The institution has historically maintained a deep concern for the unprivileged and continues to further the work today.

History

Loreto was founded in 1616 by an English woman, Mary Ward (1585-1645). [http://www.shickshack.com/1528-lucknow-institutions/loreto-convent-lucknow] It pioneered a new type of religious life, which undertook the education of girls as its main work. The 18th century saw the spread in development of the Institute on England and Europe. It was introduced into Ireland by Frances Teresa Ball, who in 1821 established the first House of the Irish branch there. She called it Loreto, the name by which all subsequent foundations spread all over the world are still known. The Loreto Sisters came to India in 1841 and have established schools in many parts of Northern India. Although its prime purpose is the education of the Catholic girls, students of other denominations are also accepted. The aim of the school is to give its pupils a sound moral education while devoting special attention to their intellectual, social and physical development. Loreto Convent strives to communicate to its pupils a culture that is characterized by thoroughness and comprehensiveness.On the 31st October 1872, a group of seven Sisters lead by Mother Joseph Hogan, arrived in Lucknow. They came from Darjeeling at the invitation of Rev. Paul Tosy, the Catholic Bishop of Lucknow, and took almost 2 weeks to make the long, arduous journey across the plains on bullock wagons. They were given a warm welcome by the Parish Priest, Father Lewis, who conducted them to the house he had secured for them adjoining to the Church, in what is know Shahnajaf Road. It was in this House that the first Loreto School started in Lucknow on the 4th November 1872.

The earlier days in Lucknow were of great inconvenience and privation as they had the bare minimum of possessions and the extreme heat was very tiring for the Sisters, dressed as they were in heavy black habits. At the beginning of the new year of 1873 came the first Boarder, Amy Glynn, and when others joined, Mother Joseph knew that the little Convent was far too small. In April of the same year, she had the good fortune to secure a large house which was later to become the Royal Hotel, but which was to be Loreto Convent for 8 years. The need was felt of having the conveyance to bring the children who lived at a distance and so Mother Joseph designed, and had built an 'omnibus', the first to be seen in Lucknow. In 1880, the present Convent, then known as the Cantonment Hotel, was purchased. It is interesting to note that the grounds once formed part of the Nawab of Oudh's hunting grounds. Later new wings were added to accommodate classrooms and dormitories, but in 1915 the Northern part of the building suffered very seriously during the floods of that year, and the Nuns were compelled to spend entire nights under umbrellas. Arches gave way and the roof of the Chapel collapsed crushing every priedieu and chair under its weight but the Sisters escaped death. After this the entire northern part of the building had to be pulled down and the present handsome edifice was built.

Gallery

References

External links