Messages
A Legacy of Light
Celebrating 250 years of the founding of the Presentation Sisters
Rev. Sr. Vinita, PBVM Correspondent From the Correspondent's Desk
Dear Friends,
Greetings of peace and joy!
Nano Nagle's lantern still shines bright, guiding hearts and minds through education, social action and pastoral work. This year we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the Congregation of the Presentation Sisters in 1775. It has been 250 years since Venerable Nano Nagle opened the doors of her little schools in Cork, Ireland, and in doing so, she changed the course of countless lives.
She has left us a legacy of courage and hope that continues to illuminate our hearts. Her vision was simple yet profound: to free the people from ignorance and poverty, by bringing education and hope to the poorest of the poor, even when education was denied to the poor by the laws of the time. It was against the law to run schools for the Catholics, so it had to be done in secret. Standing firm against the odds, refusing to let poverty or unjust penal laws take the upper hand, she began her schools.
She came to be called “the Lady of the Lantern” because she used to walk with a lantern to the schools in the evening, to the poverty-stricken homes to alleviate their suffering. Her mission was like a fire that burned within her, like the lantern she held. It is the same fire that still burns in our hearts today. To continue her mission, she started a congregation of sisters which came to be known as the Presentation Sisters, who minister to the people who are made poor in different parts of the globe today.
May we be inspired by her courageous love, her unwavering faith and relentless compassion! Let us be a beacon of Nano's light that helps every child shine! Thank you for being part of this beautiful and remarkable journey of service and love.
Rev. Sr. Vinita, PBVM
Correspondent
Mrs. Pamela Machado Headmistress From the Headmistress' Desk
“The Almighty is all sufficient.” — Nano Nagle
Greetings to all,
This year marks a remarkable milestone in our shared history: the Sestercentennial Jubilee of the founding of the Presentation Sisters. Two and a half centuries ago, in the midst of deep social inequality, our Founder, Venerable Nano Nagle, lit a spark that would go on to illuminate the world.
Today, as we reflect on her extraordinary life, we celebrate not merely a historical event but a living mission that continues to shape our school and inspire the lives of our students. Venerable Nano Nagle, lovingly remembered as the “Lady of the Lantern,” possessed a vision that was both simple and revolutionary: to break the cycle of poverty through the transformative power of education. In 18th-century Ireland, she courageously risked her own safety and freedom to establish schools for those who had been deliberately marginalised by society. Her lantern was more than a tool for guiding her through dark streets; it became a symbol of hope, bringing the light of knowledge and the warmth of compassion to the poor, the neglected and the forgotten.
Today, that same lantern continues to shine through the mission of the Presentation Sisters. Their founding vision has transcended borders and centuries, evolving into a global movement dedicated to social justice, compassion and transformative education. In our own school, this legacy is reflected in our steadfast commitment to serving the underprivileged, with a special focus on empowering girl children.
We firmly believe that educating a girl child is one of the most powerful catalysts for societal transformation. By providing a safe, nurturing and academically rigorous environment, we do far more than teach subjects: we break barriers and build bridges for a promising future. The spirit of the Presentation Sisters lives on every time a young girl discovers her voice, recognises her potential and thereby steps into the world with confidence and courage.
Our institution, St. William's Anglo Indian High School, stands proudly today as a testament to Nano Nagle's enduring vision and values. We strive to be a beacon of discipline, integrity and responsibility, where education extends beyond textbooks to include character formation and moral strength. Our goal is to nurture students who are not only academically accomplished, but also ethically grounded, compassionate, resilient and socially responsible.
Above all, our school remains a place that promotes women's empowerment. We equip our young women with intellectual strength, moral clarity and unwavering self-belief, the qualities they need to lead and thrive in an ever-changing world. We teach them that they are the authors of their own destinies and the architects of a more just and equitable future.
As we commemorate 250 years of the Presentation Congregation, we do not simply look back with gratitude; we look forward with renewed commitment. Let us pledge to keep our Venerable Nano Nagle's lantern burning brightly. Let her courage inspire our discipline, let her compassion shape our character, and let her unwavering dedication to the marginalised continue to guide our mission of empowering women of tomorrow.
“Not words, but deeds.” May we continue to live by this timeless principle for the next 250 years and beyond.
With warm regards and blessings!
Mrs. Pamela Machado
Headmistress