A Phoenix Rising - The Story of St. Bonaventure's College

“Here in the Province of Newfoundland and in other Provinces throughout Canada, your forebears struggled over the years to have a Catholic educational system where these ideals for Catholic teachers and principles of Catholic Education might best be applied. It is a precious heritage which has been confided to you, a heritage which makes a positive and valued contribution not only to the Church but to society as well.”

When Pope John Paul II spoke those words in St. John’s Basilica on September 12, 1984, little did he know what was in store for Catholic Education in the Province of New Foundland. Little did we know how the tragedy and devastation of decades of sex abuse would affect popular thought and political decisions ultimately resulting in a referendum that would abolish a Catholic Educational system in a deeply Catholic part of Canada.

The story of resurrection of St. Bonaventure’s College, the heroic efforts of Canadian Jesuits and their lay collaborators, past and present, who brought it back to life, is a parable of boldness and courage, grace and hope, death and resurrection, for the Canadian Church and for our entire country.

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