St. Philip’s is proud to be part of the Servite family and the Our Lady of Dolours Parish Church.
This means that our school is inspired by the values of the Servite Order. We try to follow in the footsteps of our Servite saints, by caring for others, praying together, and loving Mary. Being part of the Servite family helps us grow in faith and reminds us to be kind, brave, and full of love every day.
A Servite is someone who follows the example of the Servite Order, a special group in the Church that began over 700 years ago.
It was started by Seven Holy Founders in Italy, who wanted to live like Jesus by praying, helping others, and showing love to Mary, the Mother of Jesus. Servites try to live lives full of kindness, service, prayer, and community.
The Servites were founded in 1245 in Florence, Italy, by seven merchants who had the same vision that Our Lady was calling them to leave their businesses and worldly possessions and form a new religious in the Church, living a life of simplicity. Their charism is to live in fraternal community and to serve God and His people taking Mary, our Sorrowful Mother, as their inspiration. The Servite Order rapidly spread throughout Italy then to the Americas and Europe and London, England. Subsequently they came to Kersal, Salford!
Our pupils at St. Philip's are divided into four 'houses'. They earn house points as a member and the winning house each term receives a treat event. Each house is led by a house and vice captain, who are democratically elected by their peers following an application process. The four houses are:
St. Peregrine, who is known as a special saint who helps people who are sick, especially those with serious illnesses like cancer.
St. Pucci, who was a kind and gentle priest who loved God and spent his life helping people.
St. Bonfilius, who was one of the first Servite saints. He loved God very much and showed his love by helping others.
St. Juliana, who was a loving and gentle woman who started a group of sisters in the Servite Order called the Servite Sisters.
