College History
About the College
Patrician College of Arts and Science, established in 2001, is a Christian minority co-educational self-financing institution affiliated to the University of Madras. It was instituted by the Brothers of St. Patrick, a congregation established by Bishop Daniel Delany on 2nd February 1808, in Ireland. The members of the congregation carry inspiration from the life and spirit of their Patron Saint – St. Patrick. With a noble spirit to serve humanity, the Patrician Brothers stepped into the vocation of educating the youth to free them from the bonds of ignorance. With their exceptional skill in leadership, governance and the strong hand of the Almighty, the congregation has established schools & colleges throughout the world.
In consonance with the philosophy of Brothers’ congregation, the college aims at providing quality education to the youth of today with utmost sincerity. To facilitate this, the Management has been keen in building the college with qualified teachers, pooling in resources from different platforms, and providing state-of-the-art infrastructural facilities. Moreover, the College backs up students with a number of support services on and off campus. Along with curricular and co-curricular activities, the College constantly promotes a sense of social consciousness in the minds of students. In view of this, several outreach programmes are conducted wherein students enthusiastically participate and engage in social service.
St. Patrick
Patron Saint
St. Patrick, Patron Saint of Ireland and of the Brothers of St. Patrick, is one of the world’s most popular saints. Patrick was born around 385 AD in Scotland of Roman parents. As a boy of fourteen, he was captured during a raid party and taken to Ireland as a slave to tend sheep in a herd. During his captivity, he turned to God in prayer. Patrick’s captivity lasted until he was twenty. He escaped after a dream in which God told him how to leave Ireland and return to Britain, his homeland. He had another dream in which he heard the Irish people begging him to come back to them.
Later, he attained priesthood. He was ordained by St.Germanus, the Bishop of Auxerre.Later, Patrick was ordained a bishop, and was asked to take the Gospel to Ireland. He arrived in Ireland on March 25 433 AD at Slane. Patrick began preaching the Gospel throughout Ireland, converting many. He and his disciples preached and converted thousands and began building churches all over the country. Kings, their families, and entire kingdoms converted to Christianity on hearing Patrick’s message. St. Patrick worked many miracles and wrote of his love for God. After years of living in poverty, traveling and enduring much suffering, he died on March 17 461 AD.
Bishop Daniel Delany
Founder Of Patrician Brothers
Bishop Daniel Delany founded Patrician congregation in 1808 in Ireland. His work with the people of Tullow made him realize that lack of education was the major cause for backwardness among the people. This inspired him to form the Patrician Community to address the social issues and concerns. The first community consisted of James Mc Mahan a school master, Ambrose Dawson, Richard Fitz Patrick and Maurice Cummins who were local tradesmen and laborers.
In 1783, Delany was appointed Coadjutor (or Assistant) Bishop, and in 1787, became Bishop of Kildare & Leighlin. During his episcopacy, the circumstances of Catholics improved through the relaxation of the Penal Laws, and Bishop Delany aided this process through rebuilding churches, increasing the number of the clergy, promoting religious instruction and circulating useful books. In Tullow, he set up Sunday Schools for both children and adults.
His predecessor, Bishop James Keeffe, had founded Carlow College in 1782, and Bishop Delany brought this project to fruition. In 1807 and 1808, he founded the Brigidine Sisters and Patrician Brothers respectively. Their primary mission was the education of the young continuing the work Bishop Delany began with the establishment of Sunday schools. He died on 9 July 1814.
Congregation of Brothers of St. Patrick
The Congregation of the Brothers of St. Patrick (popularly known as PATRICIAN BROTHERS) was begun in the small town of Tullow, Ireland in 1808. Though the congregation was set up in Ireland, the Brothers travelled across the world and extended their services. In 1846, the Brothers travelled across the Atlantic Ocean to Baltimore, USA; in 1875, the Archbishop of Madras invited the Brothers to India; in 1883, they were invited to Maitland, New South Wales, Australia, by the Bishop of that Diocese; in 1961, they went to Kenya. Today, following the footsteps of the Bishop Daniel Delany, Patrician Brothers established a number of educational institutions in Ireland, United States of America, India, Australia,Ghana, Papua New Guinea and Kenya. The congregation has its headquarters known as Generalate in Tullow, Ireland. In India, it has its Provincialate in New Delhi. The present Superior General is Rev. Bro. Peter Ryan, and the Indian and Ghana Provincial is Rev. Bro. Jerome Ellens and he resides at the Provincialate in New Delhi.
