St Agnes Academy

Infobox_University
name = St Agnes Academy
native_name = Academia de Sta. Ines



motto = "Ora et Labora" (Prayer and Work)
established = 1912
type = Private, Benedictine
principal =
city = Legazpi City
state = Albay
country = Philippines
colors = Blue and White
free_label = Hymn
free = Your Spirit Lives in me
affiliations = Catholic Educations Association of the Philippines, Bicol Association of Catholic Schools, Catholic Education Association of Legazpi, Association of Benedictine Schools
nickname = SAA
website =

At. Agnes Academy, (originally named Academia de Sta. Iness is a Benedictine-run school in Legazpi City; the oldest Catholic School in the Province of Albay.

History

The year 1912 saw the great need for a Catholic school in Albay. Rev. Fr. Juan U. calleja, the parish priest then, with the helop of Rev. Msgr. J.B. MacGinley, Bishop of the Diocese of Nueva Caceres, presented an appeal before the Apostolic Delegate Msgr. Etheus, for some Missionary Benedictine Sisters to start the apostolate of Christian education among the people of Albay.

In response to the call, Sisters Ferdinanda, Alexia and Edilburgis came to Legazpi City on May 30, 1912 and started formal primary classes on July 1, 2912 with 46 enrollees in the parish's old parochial convent. Thus was born St. Agnes' Academy, the oldest Catholic School in Albay, originally named as Academia de Sta. Ines.

The Academy grew despite the forces that challenged her existence- strong typhoons that destroyed the physical structure of the school, the eruption of Mt. Mayon volcano in 1928 and World War II claimed the lives of three pioneering Benedictine Sisters- Mother Clodesindis, Superior, Sister Edilburgis and Sister Gertude, an oblate. Amidst trials and difficultiess, SAA's spirit became strong and indomitable courage puller her through. The seeming setbacks spawned greater strength that accelerated growth. A free school was opened for the poor where 350 children were enrolled. Vocational courses were incorporated with the academics in the early 1940's. Not to be overlooked was the Music Department which started in 1921. Small though it was, it supported the school during the early years after the war.