St. Paul University Surigao Seal |
MOTTO
The motto, Caritas Veritas et Scientia verbalizes the aspiration of the university to carry out the ideals expressed by the symbols and colors of the St. Paul University Surigao seal.
Caritas- It is rooted in faith and a deep love of God and the neighbor. It is compassionate caring, warmth, simplicity, hospitality, and being all to all which makes the Paulinian education. Caritas Christi Urget Nos, the motto of the Sisters of Chartres, to which every Paulinian is motivated by love especially for the underprivileged.
Veritas- It is an epitome of morality, values and social concern, the striving for truth and justice, peace, unity, and the higher gifts of the Spirit. It is entrenched by the legacy left by the founder of the Sisters of St. Paul of Chartres, Fr. Louis Chauvet, I have no greater blessing than to see my daughters walk in the truth. It is an improved quality of life rooted in Christ and the Paulinian zeal to build communities of authentic disciples.
Scientia- It upholds excellence, genuine scholarship and perpetual learning. It is a systematic and disciplined effort to teach and learn so that the charisms of the Paulinian may be fully developed to become a competent, servant leader of the Church and the country.
COLORS
Green and gold are the official colors of all the Paulinian institutions.
Green : It symbolizes life, hope, newness and nobility. It stands for dynamism, innovation, and willingness to respond to the signs of the time and to blaze new trails. In the words of Father Chauvet, if it is of human origin, it will not continue but if it is of Devine origin, it will flourish.
Gold : It symbolizes integrity, sincerity, wholesome, interpersonal relationship, excellence and the glory of God. For the Paulinian, It stands for honesty, uprightness, and the constant striving for what is excellent for the glory of God.
Red, White and Blue : The University seal bears the shield with the tricolor background - the red, white and blue. These are the colors of the flag of symbolizing patriotism or love of country. The tricolor also recalls the flag of France, birthplace of the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Paul of Chartres, inviting fidelity to the Paulinian tradition as taught and exemplified by them.
Specifically, red is for courage and readiness to experience the paschal mystery of dying and rising for the sake of Christ and his Kingdom, and the tranquil daring faith to face every challenge. White is for purity and simplicity compassion and care and single-mindedness in the pursuit of the Holy. Blue is for humility and forgiveness, justice and peace, and for the special devotion to the Blessed Virgin, the Mother of God.
SYMBOLS
Sword: The sword of St. Paul, the apostle, our patron, symbolizes the quest for the total salvation. The sword signifies the Gospel that cuts both ways inviting to conversion from the old life to commitment to the values of Christ. For the Paulinian, it stands for fortitude and discipline to face the challenge of continuing renewal, giving up one old ways to be a new man in Christ, willing to suffer so as to win Christ.
Book: It stands for knowledge and wisdom, for the skills, values, attitudes and competencies which the Paulinian seeks to acquire. It stands for quality and excellence in education and a balanced life lived in the service of others.
Lamp: The lighted lamp stands for the missionary role to illumine the world with the lamp of Truth tempered with Justice. It is symbolic of a life that benefits others and witnesses to Christ and the values of the Gospel.
Laurel Leaf: It signifies glory through academic excellence and divine approval, which the Paulinian seeks to achieve, especially of a life well-lived in service of others. It is reminder of the Christocentric paschal spirituality and challenges every Paulinian to accept and endure the pains that is our share in the sufferings of Christ so we could share in His victory. In early times, it symbolized the palm of martyrdom for those who died for the faith.
Wavy Line: It signifies the waters of the sea that connotes readiness to go where mission calls and the tranquil daring to face what is difficult and unknown. It is a symbol of a missionary life of the Paulinian who is willing to go through life preaching and witnessing to Christ.
1906: The date of the school foundation shows the history traversed by the school from its beginning and the stamp of its indomitable passion for Christocentric loved and mission, and the stability and unchanging quality of the commitment.