Meet Dircia Martins, a 12th-grade student at NOSSEF (Nossa Senhora de Fátima)-Railaco Secondary School. She is very happy to be able to pursue her studies at NOSSEF. According to her, NOSSEF feels like a second home because the school environment is like a family and, she has good friends who are always there to support her.
Dircia especially enjoyed learning about the Ignatian values of “4Cs”—Competence, Conscience, Compassion and Commitment. The meaning and values of the 4Cs helped her discover many important lessons, particularly the importance of showing compassion to others.
“At NOSSEF, we don’t just learn academic subjects, but also character formation,” Dircia explains. “I like the 4Cs values because they help me understand the meaning of conscience and compassion, especially through charitable activities we regularly do, such as helping families in need and building good relationships with classmates and others.”
When Dircia began participating in CORE-NOSSEF (Student Representative Council-NOSSEF), she experienced many transformations, particularly in becoming more mature when making decisions about personal challenges. “I feel that participating in CORE-NOSSEF has helped me become more confident in public speaking,” Dircia shares. “The council has also taught me how to organize and lead extracurricular activities at school.”
Dircia’s leadership skills extend beyond school. She has gained the trust of her local community by leading group prayers, organizing community activities, participating in church choirs, and more.
Reflecting on her school experience, Dircia appreciates the teaching methods used at NOSSEF, both inside and outside the classroom. She observes that the teachers consistently support students’ holistic development. “Besides the teachers, I also have three close friends at NOSSEF. One of them has been my friend since primary school, while the other two I met here. Their support help me a lot, especially when I miss class due to organizing extracurricular activities,” she affirms.
In line with the Jesuit education project, NOSSEF also offers spiritual formation for both students and teachers. “We have the opportunity to participate in religious activities such as quarterly retreats, learn to pray, practice the examination of conscience, lead prayers, reflect on Scripture, and engage in other activities that help us better understand the Ignatian path, which has a strong positive impact on our overall development,” declared Dircia.
Dircia’s message to her fellow students is: Respect our teachers as you would respect your parents. This is a way to show gratitude. And always strive to build good relationships with everyone, regardless of their social status or background.
Let us pray that the Ignatian values Dircia has embraced during her learning journey at NOSSEF will continue to guide her in helping others throughout her life.
[Writer: Iriana Soares–ETR Communications]
