In 1938, Father Albert V. Mitchell, S.M. was appointed first pastor of Our Lady of the Pillar Parish. Enlisting the services of the Franciscan Sisters of Our Lady of Perpetual Help of Ferguson, Missouri, Father Mitchell set up first a summer catechetical school in the old home (the White House) of the Spellbrink family, from whom the Chaminade College property was purchased. This summer school developed into the parish school taught by the Franciscan Sisters.
In 1940, the Archdiocese received from the Society of Mary (Marianist) for a very nominal sum, 4.7 acres of land along Lindbergh Boulevard; and the first section of Pillar Parish School was built in time for classes to begin on September 9, 1940.
The title, Our Lady of the Pillar, echoes the name of the celebrated shrine in Saragossa, Spain, where the founder of the Marianists, Father William Joseph Chaminade, sought consolation and received the inspiration to found the Marianists (priests, brothers and sisters) while in exile from France during the 1793 Revolution.
The purpose of this handbook is to familiarize all who seek and/or enroll their children at Our Lady of the Pillar School with the philosophy, objectives, school organization, administration and special activities of the school. It is hoped that this handbook will help you to obtain such information
Our Lady Of The Pillar School is accredited through the Missouri Chapter of the National Federation of Nonpublic School State Accrediting Associations. In order to receive and maintain this accreditation, administration, faculty, students and parents are involved in a self-study process every seven years. A self-study was completed in 2005.
We are named after Our Lady of the Pillar because Priests and Brothers of the Society of Mary, or Marianists staff our parish; and because our parish started in the chapel of Chaminade College, which at the time was dedicated to Our Lady of the Pillar.
After the French Revolution in 1797, the founder of the Marianists, William Joseph Chaminade, was in exile in Spain where he took refuge in the city of Saragossa and lived there for three years. He prayed often at the shrine of Our Lady of the Pillar and there conceived the idea of founding a religious congregation.
Saragossa is in the northeastern part of Spain. It is situated on the river Ebro, and has long been the center of Spanish Catholicism.
The present church was started in 1681, but the interior was not completed until the last century. In this great basilica the main point of interest is the Santa Capella which is practically the same today as it was in 1797. The Santa Capella is where we find the statue of Our Lady of the Pillar.
According to the legend, St. James the Apostle went to Spain shortly after the death of Jesus to spread the Good News. But he was having very little success. Before setting out on his mission, he had spoken to the Blessed Virgin who promised him that he would do good work in Spain. Our Lady appeared to him and brought him support in his time of discouragement. At the time of Mary's appearance, she was standing on a pillar of jasper which in departing she left behind.
"This jasper pillar of the apparition is the greatest relic of the church. It stands about six feet high and for many centuries has been encased in silver, leaving only a small opening at the back where the faithful may kiss it. On top of the pillar is the very old statue to remind people that this is where Our Lady stood. The statue is made of black wood covered with gold leaf and is only fifteen inches high. The Madonna and Child are both robed in magnificent garments heavy with jewels and embroidery, many of which are artistic masterpieces in their own right. Besides the gowns of Mother and Child, there are richly embroidered capes, somewhat like those worn by bullfighters. Originally part of the Spanish costume, these are now peculiar to this statue and are richly embroidered." (SHRINES OF OUR LADY, Sister Mary Jean Dorcy, O.P.)
In the back of the statue there is another decoration that contributes to the beauty and the richness of the shrine. This is the "corona". There are also a number of these and one of them is said to contain 100,000 precious stones.
The basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar is one of the oldest basilicas outside Rome. Even though the legend has little historical authenticity, we can see how it developed. The basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar dates back to at least the end of the third century.
The Society of Mary, through serious research, consultation, and discussion involving lay and religious educators who work in Marianist educational ministries throughout the world, has developed five educational characteristics it pledges to uphold and promote in its institutions. These five characteristics are:
Educate for formation in faith.
Marianist schools will help students to bear witness with a personal and committed faith that touches the heart. They will help promote a faith-and-culture dialogue and form students in the gospel’s values and Christian attitudes. In addition, Marianist schools will pledge to educate in a free and responsible style which elicits a personal response to faith and they will make present the example and influence of Mary as the first disciple.
Provide an integral, quality education.
Marianist schools will promote quality education of the whole person, providing coherent curricula and a well-formed professional staff and administration equipped with adequate supplies and finances. Marianist schools will develop respect for the dignity of the person who has interior spirit and self-knowledge. In addition, Marianist schools will develop in the students a concern for global and local issues of culture, ecology, and technology and they will foster a diverse faculty, staff, and student body while continuing to offer Mary as a model of integrity in relation to the realities of the world.
Educate in family spirit.
Marianist schools will create a favorable environment for education by helping to cultivate interpersonal relationships characterized by openness, respect, integrity, and dialogue. They will form an educational community characterized by collaborative structures and processes and one which expresses authority as a loving and dedicated service. In addition, Marianist schools will influence others by exhibiting the Marian traits of openness, hospitality, graciousness and faith.
Educate for service, justice, and peace.
Marianist schools will promote a missionary spirit and educate for solidarity as well as justice and peace. They will attend to the poor, promote the dignity and rights of women, encourage the formation of Christian service groups, announce justice and denounce oppression.
Educate for adaptation and change.
Marianist schools will educate to shape the future. They will educate students to accept and respect differences in a pluralistic society by helping them develop critical thinking skills and by teaching them to be open and adaptable to local and global contexts through enculturation and interdisciplinary education. Finally, Marianist schools will embrace Mary’s fiat, “Do whatever he tells you”, allowing them to be available to responding to the signs of the times in faith.
Our Lady of The Pillar School is a Roman Catholic School within the Archdiocese of St. Louis. Thus, it is always responsible to the Ordinary of the Diocese. The Superintendent of Schools is his representative in the administration of the Catholic schools.
Pastor
The pastor is the spiritual leader of the Catholic Parish Community. He is the chief administrator of the parish. By virtue of his office, the Pastor is responsible for those matters within the school that effect worship, the ministry of the Word and the spiritual welfare of the students.
Principal
The Principal is the director of the school. The Principal is to work closely with the Pastor and faculty to achieve a climate and programs that foster Christian growth and formation within the total school community. The Principal is responsible to the Pastor, to the Archdiocesan Superintendent and to the parish community for all school matters.
Coordinator of Religiious Education
The Coordinator of Religious Education (CRE) works in collaboration with the principal and faculty in matters concerning the religious education of the school children and teachers, as well as school liturgical celebrations and sacramental preparation.
Learning Consultant
The Learning Consultant works in collaboration with faculty and parents to help meet the individual learning needs of students. The Learning Consultant assists faculty in adjusting curriculum to help students at both ends of the learning spectrum, and coordinates communication between teachers, parents, students, tutors and others who support student learning.
School Board
The School Board acts in an advisory capacity to the Pastor in making policy for the Parish School. The School Board is made up of 9 parents and/or parishioners, elected by the Parish community or appointed by the Pastor, with the Pastor and the Principal serving as ex-officio members.
Faculty
All faculty members are responsible to the Principal. Members of the faculty will be accountable to the Principal in upholding the philosophy and goals of education of Our Lady of the Pillar School.
This Student/Parent handbook contains established policies and procedures for the 2007-2008 school year. Since it is not possible for a Handbook to address every situation that may arise during a school year, the school administration reserves the right to amend or revoke the policies and procedures in the Handbook at any time as circumstances may require. When changes are made to the Handbook, parents and students will be informed of the change in writing in a timely manner, and this will include a statement about when the change will take effect.
“Education is a privileged means of formation in faith…
we aim to sow, cultivate, and strengthen the Christian spirit…”
Marianist Rules of Life
Continue to General Information