San Pablo the 1st Hermit Cathedral and Ateneo De San Pablo: 1951

San Pablo the 1st Hermit Cathedral and Ateneo De San Pablo: 1951

History of Ateneo de San Pablo

The Seminario Menor de San Francisco de Sales constructed adjacent to the Cathedral a two-storey building in 1912.  But after some yea it was closed and transferred to Lipa. 

It is before the beginning of the World War 2 that the Seminary building and its premises were donated to the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits) for conversion into a tertiary educational institution. 

In 1947, the Jesuit Fathers converted the former Seminary, which was partially damaged by the Japanese forces, into a secondary school. It was named Ateneo de San Pablo

However,,  1978 tthe last graduation day in the Ateneo de San Pablo was held in March 31 in that year and soon The Ateneo de San Pablo became the Liceo de San Pablo, a parochial school of the Diocese.

St. Paul the Hermit

It is unclear what we really know of Paul's life, how much is fable, how much fact. Paul was reportedly born in Egypt, where he was orphaned by age 15. He was also a learned and devout young man. During the persecution of Decius in Egypt in the year 250, Paul was forced to hide in the home of a friend. Fearing a brother-in-law would betray him, he fled in a cave in the desert.

His plan was to return once the persecution ended, but the sweetness of solitude and heavenly contemplation convinced him to stay. He went on to live in that cave for the next 90 years. A nearby spring gave him drink, a palm tree furnished him clothing and nourishment. After 21 years of solitude a bird began bringing him half of a loaf of bread each day.

Without knowing what was happening in the world, Paul prayed that the world would become a better place. St. Anthony of Egypt [January 17] attests to his holy life and death. Tempted by the thought that no one had served God in the wilderness longer than he, Anthony was led by God to find Paul and acknowledge him as a man more perfect than himself.

The raven that day brought a whole loaf of bread instead of the usual half. As Paul predicted, Anthony would return to bury his new friend. Thought to have been about 112 when he died, Paul is known as the "First Hermit." His feast day is celebrated in the East; he is also commemorated in the Coptic and Armenian rites of the Mass.

SOURCE: www.americancatholic.org