In 1846 Loreto Convent, Darjeeling was founded. In 1872 six nuns from the Darjeeling
Community led by Mother Joseph Hogan, the Foundress of Loreto, Darjeeling, faced
the arduous journey by bullock cart to open Loreto Convent, Lucknow. The need for
a school to cater to the less affluent members of the Anglo-Indian Community of
Lucknow, led to the founding of our school by our first Principal Sr. Claire Miller.
She named the new school, which was blessed on 3rd October, 1904 after Saint Agnes.
The following day, St. Agnes’ Loreto Day School was formally opened in a rented
building on Barrow Road near the Baradari. The present impressive building designed
by architect Labanti, was blessed on 23rd
November, 1913. The students appeared for the Junior Cambridge Examination. The
school was upgraded to a High School in 1954. Then students offered the High School
Examination affiliated to the U.P. Board. At present the school is affiliated to
the Council for Indian School Certificate Examination.
ST. AGNES’ LORETO DAY
21st of January, is the feast day of the patroness of our School. It is fitting
to recall to mind the spiritual beauty of this young saint.
During the early days
of Christianity, the Roman Empire had become corrupt and harsh. Those who stood
for everything that was right, good and pure were scoffed at, and often persecuted.
In particular, the Christians were singled out for all kinds of punishment and death.
In this atmosphere of decadence a flower bloomed. A young, pure and beautiful girl,
Agnes by name, grew up, surrounded by the love and spiritual care of her family.
Agnes vowed to be always true and pure. She pledged herself to God. The son of the
Prefect of Rome, was attracted by her beauty and wished to marry her. But he was,
like many other Roman youth of that day, cruel, selfish and dissolute. Agnes wanted
to devote her life to Christ, and refused his offer of marriage.
In order to force
her to accept his hand in marriage, the Prefect’s son denounced her to his father,
that she was a Christian. The Roman authorities tried to violate her purity, but
an angel of the Lord preserved her from shame. She was next condemned to die through
burning, but the flames would not consume her body. Finally, the Prefect gave orders
that Agnes should be beheaded. Bravely and with her eyes full of love for her Celestial
Bridegroom, Agnes met her death.
Her fidelity to her aim in life, her purity and
courage should be shining examples to children of a school, named after her.
Faculty
Staff totally consists of 56 Assistant Teachers and 6 Administrative Staff.