the Institutional Symbol
Form and Design
The seal of Saint Columban College is hexagonal in form; and is circumscribed by a chain. Inscribed around the corners of the hexagon are: the name of the institution, Saint Columban College, which is found at the lower portion of the hexagon; and the three Latin words: Sapientia, Caritas, and Iustitia on the upper portion.
The centermost is an open book with the inscription: “Pro Deo et Patria” and a lighted torch.Below the book, 1957 is written, the year Saint Columban College was established.
CHAIN. The chain symbolizes unity among the people of Saint Columban College and the community they serve, generating collective effort in attaining the Vision, Mission and Goals. It has 19 links to signify that SCC was founded sometime in 1900.
CIRCLE. The circle stands for the integral formation of the students which can be attained through the dynamic interaction of the community, guided by the school’s Vision and Mission.
HEXAGON. The teacher of all times is Jesus Christ. There are six main divisions in Jesus’ teachings, namely: the Fatherhood of God, the Brotherhood of Man, the Kingdom of Heaven, the Supernatural Life, Sanctification and Oneness with Him.
Three Latin Words
The philosophy of Saint Columban College as an academic institution is summarized by the three Latin words: Sapientia, Iustitia, and Caritas. These three moral fibers are taken from the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and the clusters of virtues.
SAPIENTIA. Sapientia, the Latin word for WISDOM, is one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, which disposes the students to learn and know the truth. It refers to the ability to use experience and knowledge to make sensible and reasonable decisions or judgments based on Christian values and ideals. It makes it easier for the person to acquire knowledge, discover more of the truth, and develop critical thinking.
IUSTITIA. Iustitia, the Latin word for JUSTICE, is one of the Cardinal virtues (human virtues) that govern our conduct and action. It refers to fairness in the way people are treated, exercising the divine and legal rights with the utmost respect for the life of the human being and everything in the universe. A person who cultivated this virtue has a sense of respect for others, and a constant will to give what is due to others. It helps the person to act and become a person for others.
CARITAS. Caritas, the Latin word for CHARITY, is one of the theological virtues that predispose the person to concretize the love of God. Jesus makes charity the new commandment, the fullness of the law. Charity, therefore, is a virtue wherein a person can show his/her love of God above all things and enables the person to keep God’s commandment of love. It refers to the kind and sympathetic awareness of one’s social responsibility as shown by being tolerant, helpful, and generous towards fellow human beings, especially the poor.
Education in SCC means cultivating the interior part of the person so that growth will take place, not only on the external but at the core, in the being of the person. If these three interior characters will be developed, it will be easier for the student to be a person for God and for others. Good actions are fruits of good disposition and attitude, which are situated in the inner part of the person.
The Open Book
The open book emphasizes the broad “body of knowledge”, the student gains from the institution, which shall be used for the country’s development and progress – all for God’s greater honor and glory.
The Torch
The Vision-Mission of Saint Columban College can only be achieved through the guidance of our Lord and Redeemer, JESUS CHRIST, who is the WAY, the TRUTH and the LIFE. He is the Eternal Flame that illuminates the pathway leading to the realization of the mission of the institution.
