FOOTPRINTS OF LOVE AND HOPE: A JOURNEY OF ART, FAITH AND EXPRESSION

In harmony with the Holy Father’s theme for the year, “Pilgrims of Hope,” our school organized a vibrant and deeply meaningful Art Exhibition titled Footprints of Love and Hope. The exhibition encouraged students, parents, and teachers to reflect on life as a journey marked by compassion, shared commitment, and hopeful vision. The exhibition was inaugurated by the Rector, Rev. Fr. Dominic Martis, whose presence added grace and significance to the event. In his inaugural message, Father spoke about the power of art to communicate truth, emotion and faith without the need for words. Fr. Dominic encouraged students to continue expressing themselves freely and joyfully, reminding them that “every stroke of colour tells a story, and every story has the power to touch a heart.”

The planning and execution of the exhibition were diligently carried out by the Art’s Faculty headed by Sir Vijay Kanse and teacher Latifa Sheikh, who guided students patiently from ideation to final presentation. Their efforts ensured that each artwork carried a thoughtful message along with visual appeal.

The exhibition was thoughtfully divided into three thematic categories: For students from Class 1 to 4, the category “Exploratory Themes” allowed the youngest learners to explore art as a joyful discovery. Their artwork was full of colour, innocence, curiosity, and the natural wonder with which children view the world. Many of these works reflected scenes of family, nature, animals, friendship, and everyday acts of kindness.  Students from Class 5 to 7 participated under the category “Footprints of Love.” Here, the focus shifted to artworks that represented empathy, care for others, and the beauty of relationships that support and nurture growth. Students expressed themes such as helping the needy, protecting the environment, cherishing family bonds, and respecting elders. The artworks showed thoughtful selection of colour palettes and growing confidence in technique. The underlying message was clear and powerful: love leaves traces wherever it goes. For the senior group, Class 8 to 12, the category “Footprints of Hope” encouraged reflection on challenges, aspirations, resilience, and the call to be messengers of hope in the world. Their works were profound and expressive, dealing with themes such as peace-building, inclusion, climate responsibility, faith in adversity, the impact of AI and the importance of collective human effort. This section drew many viewers to pause and contemplate.

The artwork was created in the school premises on 3rd and 4th November and submitted by 6th November, after which it was arranged and displayed for viewing during the School Open Day on 8^th November, 2025. The three floors of the school were transformed into a gallery of colour, meaning, and shared emotions. A special feature of the event was the enthusiastic participation of parents, who contributed their own artworks. Their involvement made the event intergenerational, celebrating artistic expression at home and school alike. It offered students a platform to explore imagination, build confidence and communicate ideas visually. The school extends heartfelt appreciation to the Art Faculty for their guidance, to the students for their sincere effort, and to the parents for their encouraging support. The exhibition truly echoed the spirit of journeying together, leaving behind footprints of love, and walking forward with hope, fulfilling the message of being Pilgrims of Hope in our daily lives.

By – Mrs. Dorothy Fernandes