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Saint Francis school palma de mallorca

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SAINT FRANCIS SCHOOL OF PALMA DE MALLORCA[edit]

Col·legi Sant Francesc (Saint Francis School)[edit]

Col·legi Sant Francesc is an educational centre of Catholic confessionality and of Franciscan ownership located in the historical centre of the city of Palma de Mallorca.

The school covers all educational stages:

  • Reception, for students aged 3-5.
  • Primary, for students aged 6-11.
  • Compulsory Secondary School, for students aged 12-16.
  • Spanish “Baccalaureate”, for students aged 17-18. During this period, the school is considered private.

In addition, the school offers many extracurricular activities, which students can attend in their free time.

Col·legi Sant Francesc has an agreement with another Franciscan school, located in the Pere Garau neighbourhood of Palma, called “Sant Francesc d'Assís”, whose students, upon finishing their primary education, are transferred to this school.

The motto of the school is “DEUS SCIENTARUM DOMINUS”, which means “God is the master of science”.

History and description of buildings[edit]

CHURCH OF SAINT FRANCIS[edit]

The church of Sant Francesc in Palma is a good example of Gothic architecture, built between the 13th and 14th centuries, although the facade was reconstructed in the Baroque style during the 17th century. The Gothic cloister stands out, unique in the context of the old Crown of Aragon.

The Franciscans established themselves in Mallorca in 1232. In 1281 the first stone of the current church was laid with the attendance of King Jaume II of Mallorca (1276-1311) near the Almudaina of Gumara, in the eastern sector. In 1317 the new church was opened, although the works still continued until years later and it was not consecrated until 1385.

The church is a Gothic construction from the end of the 13th century and the 14th century. The original facade was destroyed by lightning in 1580 and the new one was made in Baroque style during the second half of the 17th century by Pere Horrach and Francisco de Herrera. The apsidal portal has two sculptures on the jambs: Saint Dominic (left) and Saint Francis (right). The tympanum is formed by a Baroque sculptural group with overflowing movement that is presided over by an image of the Immaculate Conception and flanked by Duns Scoto (right) and Raymond Llull (left). The portal is crowned by an image of St. George from 1700. The facade is decorated with a rose window and the upper section (triangular pediment and sundial) is the result of a reform carried out by Pere d'Alcàntara Penya in 1861.

The church is of basilical plant with lateral chapels. The head is poly-absidal and has an ambulatory built during the Baroque reform. The cross vault cover dates from 1384, when it replaced the original wooden one.

As a part of its heritage, we could highlight sections of the Gothic masonry (15th century) built by Macià Bonafè, the great Baroque altarpiece (1739) made by Joan d'Aragó, and the sepulcher of Raymond Llull (1487) by the sculptor Francesc Sagrera. This consists of an alabaster sarcophagus with the recumbent figure of the "Doctor Il·luminat" (Enlightened Doctor) and in its lower section, in stone, seven empty niches which are unfinished and should have contained the representations of the seven liberal arts.

CLOISTER[edit]

Palma Sant Francesc cloister's

Saint Francis has a beautiful Gothic cloister perfectly preserved which is one of the main expressions of this architectural style in Mallorca.

Shaped as an irregular quadrangle, its galleries are supported by fine columns and lobed arches with drafts of singular beauty. A short section of the gallery, formed by seven arches of simple design, presents a huge similarity with the galleries of the Castle of Bellver and the Palace of the Almudaina. This style of column is repeated in the columns that support the vault of the Cathedral of Palma de Mallorca.

Cloisters constitute the core and most essential part of monasteries, which were created in the Middle Ages to "flee from the madding crowd". Around this “heart” other elements were built which structured the life of the monastic communities: the church, the chapter house, the kitchen, the warehouse and the bedrooms.

The convent cloister of Sant Francesc was built between 1287 and 1390. It is the only cloister belonging to that era that remains complete today. It was a burial place for families belonging to Palma’s oligarchy, and preserves tombstones as well as coats of arms.

The Franciscan congregation was favored by King Jaume II and during the 13th and 14th centuries the convent of Sant Francesc became an important cultural center in Mallorca.

In the center of the monastic, simple and beautiful cloister of Sant Francesc there is a well with a curbstone and wrought iron work. As in most medieval cloisters, four paths converge in the central well.

Contemplating this beautiful silent patio or strolling under its Gothic arcades provides a great sense of peace, so necessary to survive the turmoil of our daily lives.

CONVENT OF SAINT FRANCIS[edit]

The foundation of this convent was carried out thanks to the intervention of King Jaume I, who, after the conquest of Mallorca (1229), offered the necessary land for a first community formed by five friars arriving from Rome. This first convent was located on the street of Sant Miquel, in the northern part of the historic center. Its first stone was laid in 1232, probably on the site of a previous church. However, in 1270-78 the Franciscan friars exchanged monasteries with the nuns of Santa Margalida.

This convent belonged initially to the custody of Barcelona (Province of Aragon) but in 1385 the custody of Mallorca was created, which included this convent and those of Sant Francesc de Inca and Sant Francesc de Ciutadella. In 1567 this convent adopted the observant reform.

The convent remained active until it was expropriated by the Estate in 1835, when the friars were expelled and the building used for other purposes, among them that of prison. In 1906 its religious purpose was recovered and a TOR community re-established itself there and re-opened the school.

RAYMOND LLULL[edit]

Son of Raymond Llull and Isabel d'Erill, he was born in 1232 in the City of Mallorca. Aged fourteen, Raymond became the page of King James the Conqueror. He would later become the teacher of Prince Jaume, future king of Mallorca. During his youth he lived in the court and lead a happy life and careless life.

In 1257 he married Blanca de Picany and had two children, Domènec and Magdalena. Aged thirty, he had four visions of Christ on the cross which radically changed his life. He felt called by God, abandoned his comfortable life and devoted himself to converting the unbelievers by persuasion, writing books and promoting the building of monasteries.

Llull went on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land (1265) and got a Moor slave to teach him the Arabic language. He also studied Latin, Muslim philosophy and ancient Christian philosophy and theology.

In 1276 he was able to found the monastery of Miramar on the island of Mallorca, where Arabic was taught to the missionaries, as a way to persuade Muslims.

He traveled to several countries in Europe (Germany, France, Italy, etc.) and North Africa (Algeria, Ceuta, Tunisia, Jerusalem, Egypt, etc.), where he visited philosophers, popes, and kings, and lectured in the Sorbone University, in Paris.

He died in 1325 returning from a trip to Tunis. His body was buried in the church of Sant Francesc in Mallorca.

During his longs and eventful life, he wrote more than 250 books on philosophy (Ars Magna), science (Tree of Science, Treaty of Astronomy), education (Blanquerna, which includes the Llibre de Amic i Amat), mysticism (Llibre de Contemplació), Grammar (New Rhetoric), and also novels (The Book of Wonders, which includes the Book of Beasts), etc., many of which were translated into Arabic, Catalan and Latin.

JUVENTUT SERAFICA (Brotherhood of Seraphic Youth)[edit]

Holy Week in Spain is the annual tribute of the Passion of Jesus Christ celebrated by Catholic religious brotherhoods (Spanish: cofradía) and fraternities that perform penance processions on the streets of almost every Spanish city and town during the last week of Lent, the week immediately before Easter.

Saint Francis has its own fraternity: the Brotherhood of Seraphic Youth, which was founded by Father Miquel Alorda (T.O.R.) in 1930.

Its characteristic robes consist of an ash-colored tunic with head cover, showing the Brotherhood’s  coat of arms embroidered on the chest. The robe is tied with the typical Franciscan rope. Accessories include an unpolished wooden cross and sandals.

As for the floats, the Brotherhood has two. "The Holy Burial" and "The Cross". Both compositions were created by the sculptor Jaume Mir. They are characterised by their simple ornamentation, austerity and luminosity.

Finally, it should be emphasized that the key points that have characterized, year after year, the Brotherhood of Seraphic Youth are its austerity, simplicity and, above all, fraternity.

FRANCISCAN VALUES[edit]

Saint Francis of Assisi, at the end of his life, embodied in the verses of the "Canticle of creatures" the itinerary he had traveled until he found peace with himself, with others, with nature and with God. In this writing we find a point of reference to transmit some very significant values for our time:

  • To give meaning to existence.
  • To believe in one's ability to excel.
  • To have a positive vision of life.
  • To feel the closeness of God.
  • To live in universal brotherhood.
  • And to have the ability to admire and respect creation.

The Franciscans, and especially those of the Third Order, take from Saint Francis of Assisi his love of nature, the richness of life in a community, the experience of mercy and conversion, forgiveness and peace.

“Oh high and glorious God!

Illuminate the darkness of my heart

and give me straight faith,

true hope and perfect charity,

meaning and knowledge, Lord,

so that I may fulfill your holy

and true commandment.”

THE SCHOOL[edit]

The building of the school was sponsored by the banker Joan March, whose wife Eleanor March played a very important role when it came to paying for the school since she was in charge of the wealthy family’s social work.

A bus line was created, which left from Cala Ratjada and traveled on Fridays and Sundays to Palma so that disadvantaged children from all over the island could attend the school. They boarded in the current children's floor where they had a dorm room a separate dining hall.

Cardinal Francis Spellman inaugurated the school on San Fernando's day of 1962. On that day, the square in front of the school was crowded with people who wanted to have their children admitted into the school. During the first years, only boys were admitted. These days, girls and boys share the school, but boarding is no longer an option.

Uniform[edit]

Students wear a sky blue polo shirt and a navy blue pullover with some details in sky blue and yellow on the necks and sleeves. Boys wear navy blue trousers while girls wear a plaid kilt in blue, green and yellow. All students must wear navy blue socks and shoes.

For P.E. students use a tracksuit consisting of a light blue t-shirt and navy blue sweatshirt and trousers with two stripes on the sides.

The coat of arms[edit]

In the coat of arms we can see various symbols. Firstly, on the top there is a royal crown. On the left side, the five wounds of Saint Francis are represented. On the right side, we can see a human arm coupled with the arm of God. These arms are joined by a cross. Finally, on the lower section there is the coat of arms of Mallorca.

The Choir[edit]

The Choir was founded by Fray Antoni Riera on 1965. He was the conductor of the Choir for 46 years. He has won a lot of awards, for example the “Ramon Llull” award, which is the highest prize awarded by the Government of the Balearic Islands.

The Choir began with 17 boys and it came to have 82 boys. They have offered concerts around Spain, in Rome, Paris… Also, they have appeared in some TV channels such as TVE. In Spain they have given concerts in the “Palau de la Música Catalana” (Barcelona) and the “Fundació March” (Madrid). They have recorded two small vinyls and one large vinyl. They have also recorded 4 CD’s.

Finally, it can be said that San Francisco Choir has been the icon of the school. As a result of the importance of the Choir, a Female Choir was created, currently conducted by Juanito, who used to be a member of the boy’s choir. Furthermore, a choir of adults, mainly formed by ex-students, has been created. Currently, Francisca Roselló is the conductor of this Choir.

Celebrations[edit]

Saint Francis is the patron of the school. Therefore, the celebration of Saint Francis Day takes place every 4th October. An image of the Saint is carried on the shoulders by four people. This celebration is used to promote Franciscan values. At the end of the celebration, the whole school signs the school anthem.

To get everybody into the spirit of Christmas, the school holds a Christmas Carols Competition, which is probably the most anxiously awaited celebration of the school year. It takes place on the last day before the Christmas holidays. All students aged 14-18 years old take part in the contest. There is a prize for the winner. The rest of the school sing some carols too, but out of contest.

The International Day of Peace, which takes place on the last day of January, is also celebrated in the school. Students create some decorations for the cloister with peace related themes and also sing songs related to non-violence and peace. Characters who fought for a world free of conflict are also remembered, such as Gandhi, Mother Teresa, Saint Francis and Martin Luther King.

Famous alummni[edit]

  • Alicia Rubio Comas: On 2017 Alicia won the Miss Soria beauty pageant at the age of 18. She is currently 19  years old and studying in Granada’s university. She has achieved her dream, as now she is working as a model and has more than 100,000 followers on social media.
  • Paula Barceló: She is a Spanish sailing champion who was born the 13th March 1996. Her speciality until 2017 has been class 470, in which she has won numerous prizes and titles. In 2 occasions she has won the world championship in Kiev and Enoshima. She has participated in 6 World and 8 European Championships.
  • Maria Perelló : Maria Perelló is 13 years old. She won the Optimist Sailing World Championship in Thailand.
  • Damià Sabater : He is a football player born in 1996, who nowadays plays in the RCD Mallorca in Spain’s second division.

Prices and certificates[edit]

  • Proves Cangur: This is a maths contest organized in more than 30 countries. It is aimed at showing students the importance of maths. Students from Sant Francesc have got some good qualifications in this contest.
  • Cursa del Corte Inglés: This is a 4 km charity race in which more than 10 schools take part. The winning school gets a 300€ prize to be spent in P.E material. Sant Francesc has won it for 5 consecutive years.
  • Coca Cola School Writing Contest: This is a writing contest where 2nd of ESO students from many schools from all over Spain compete. The winner gets the opportunity to take a writing course with professional writers and other prizes.

Relation with other schools[edit]

San Francisco TOR schools

  • Mallorca:
    • Col.legi concertat Sant Bonaventura (Artá)
    • Beat Ramon Llull (Inca)
    • La Porciuncula
  • Madrid:
    • San Raimundo Lulio
  • Toledo:
    • Colegio Nuestra Señora de los Dolores

Special activities[edit]

  • Charity Party: It is a party in which all students take part. Each class provides money and food. The money goes to charity and the food is eaten in a snack party.
  • Visits to the comunity: Pre-school students dress up for carnival and go to an old people’s home to entertain the elderly, singing songs and playing games with them.
  • Nativity scenes contest: This is a Christmas tradition in Sant Francesc school. Each group of pre-school and primary students create a nativity scene with homemade materials. The most original idea wins the contest.
  • Entrepreneurs’ Market: It is an educational program in which students create their own  products and then sell them in the street. With this program they learn how to work in groups and how a real business works.
  • Scouts: AEG Ramon Llull is the name of our scout group. It is an organization where we do some great activities, such as: go camping and learn to respect nature, go on day trips and learn orienteering techniques.
  • Sports Day: On this a day, the whole school goes to La Porcincula to practice many different kinds of sports like football, volleyball, basketball, athletics and swimming.

References[edit]

Professor Antonio Crespo, professor of History of Art in Saint Francis, Palma.


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