In the immortal words of Martin Luther King Jr, “Intelligence plus character-that is the goal of true education”, and I could not be prouder in the fact that here in St. Francis’ College we have been, all through the highly halcyon 134 years of our establishment, never failed to imbibe the same spirit in an individual. Think of the most grandiloquent pathway of life or the most humble one, and you will surely find a certain cluster of well distinguished gentlemen, all of whom would commit to the tunes of “We will answer when duty shall call.”, with all their heart. This, ladies and gentlemen, is what the Franciscan way of life is all about. This, ladies and gentlemen, is what the Franciscan spirit is all about.

Almost fourteen years now into my own Franciscan journey, I have not only witnessed but also experienced the wonders which this institution does in truly nurturing an individual. Each and every one of its sanguine bricks act as a stepping stone for the students, thus augmenting each and every one of their qualities, be it their academical prowess in securing a great percentage and acing in competitive exams like JEE,NEET and CLAT, their versatility on the stage in national level debates, quizzes and skits or for that matter, their indefatigable efforts in securing laurels in national level events as a part of the various sports teams consistently. By taking this holistic approach towards the development of a young mind, a Franciscan’s sphere of excellence is thus widened to an unfathomable extent, hence giving us the edge over the rest in the outside world.

After the investiture ceremony this morning, I could hear the words of Niccolo Machiavelli softly ringing in my head, “It is not titles that honor men but men that honor titles.” Growing up as a Franciscan, I have been under the guidance of perhaps the best set of teachers in the country and along the journey looked up to my seniors, seniors who once stood at the same pedestal where I stand today, for learning the Franciscan way of getting things done.I hope to make them proud and successfully discharge all my duties as the college captain for this academic session. I have no doubt that by the end of the session, my fellow Franciscans, staying true to our tradition, we shall once again conquer unexplored heights and further our vision of Franciscan glory, together.

Pax-et Bonum

- Shashank Mehrotra
College Captain
2019-20

“No person was ever honored for what he retained. Honor has been the reward for what he gave.”
- Calvin Coolidge

It has been almost fourteen years since I stepped into this wondrous institution, completely unaware of it’s rich past and it’s glorious legacy. Over the years, as I saw began to progress through the classes, I realized that there is more to these red and white walls than just brick and paint. The words “St. Francis’ College” mean more than just sixteen letters etched over the face of the buildings comprising the institution. They portray determination, quality, perseverance and obviously, dignity and honor. The institution, which completes its 133rd year this academic session, has a history of producing well groomed and well nurtured gentlemen, who excel in every field of life. With quality education services and a determined and diligent management, St. Francis’ College can easily be stated as one of the most prestigious colleges in Lucknow.
The most important message which I, as the college captain for the academic session 2018-2019, would like to convey is that of unperturbed diligence and unrestrained determination. I have full faith in all my Franciscan brothers and I would proudly like to state that we have some of the brightest minds of the city with us. There is also a lot of potential in our students to excel in other events besides academics and with a little polishing of their skills, our goal can be achieved. Our students have proved their mettle earlier and they will continue to do so with added motivation and rigour in the years to come. After all that I have said, my fellow Franciscans, I directly speak to you. Be people with high ideals and unbreakable words in your life; be proud of who you are – bold, intelligent Franciscans. Respect your parents, respect your teachers and over all, make your college proud of you.

"Do not be like dumb driven cattle, be a hero in the strife."

- Aditya Vikram Nandi
College Captain
2018-19

“Duty and honor. These words dictate what you can be, and what you are.”
- Sir Douglas

When you look at the magnificent red and white edifice, what do you see? A school? Ask the people who graduate from here; what this institution means to them. How this place is like their home. How it has turned mere boys into men of grandeur.
The enriching history that this college has, is beyond comparison. I can write a message full of boastful, big words but I'd rather like to make everyone understand the role St. Francis has played in our lives and how it is an honor to be a Franciscan.
St. Francis' College in its 132 years of providing quality education and grooming boys has never failed a student on its part. The students have always excelled in academics at national and international level.
Numerous students are selected at the world's best colleges every year and there are stories of entire batches qualifying for the IIT. The students today proudly carry on the tradition of academic excellence.   
With a overall development in perspective, the special emphasis on co-curricular activities has yielded great results. St. Francis' has produced some of the best debaters, quizzers, actors etc. Many a player have made it to the state and national sports teams as well.
People are amazed at the number of Franciscans in the Armed Forces. It's just a result of the discipline and sense of duty inculcated since childhood.
The college, no doubt, has a rich and magnificent past and it falls upon our shoulders to write the present and lay the foundation for the future. Pushing ourselves to our limits and giving our best at everything should be our motive. As the captain, I'll try to the best of my abilities, to lead by example and show the way for others. The glory is to be maintained by every student on the roll. Let us all find it in our hearts to strive and work hard to make our parents, our teachers, ourselves and our college proud.
Pax-et Bonum.

SHASHWAT CHANDRA
College Captain

You cannot hope to build a better world without improving the individuals.
- Marie Curie

We often talk of building a better world but that can only start when we start building better individuals.
St. Francis’ College has to its credit of being the Alma Mater to many such individuals who are now occupy high levels in the Government, Corporate Sector, the Armed Forces and many other fields.
When these gentlemen sometimes visit our college for some function or special occasion they all have a common refrain that they are, what they are, largely due to the impact of the years they spent at St. Francis’ College. They all nostalgically reminisce about a few common themes:-
The first being the Discipline of St. Francis’ College and how it has helped them to be disciplined individuals which has further enabled them to attain great heights in their Academic and Professional lives.
The second is their fond memories of the Principals who were there at their time and the teachers who taught them. Many recount the many anecdotes that happened in their lives with their respective teachers.
When I hear all these incidents it makes me proud to be part of the Legacy of St. Francis’ College. As I spend, what will perhaps be the last year of my schooling I can understand some of the sense of pride that these Alumni feel. It is such a joy to be part of this Legacy and History, seeing lives being made, careers moulded and the direction given to so many young lives by our Principal Rev. Fr. Alwyn Moras, Vice Principal Rev. Fr. Biraj Chelekchela and our highly qualified and dedicated teachers.   
Having studied in the College since Nursery, I can very confidently say that while it is the academic excellence for which it is known, the College believes in the holistic development of each student through the various extra-curricular activities, sports and games. The teachers take extra care to nurture and develop the best in every child.
St. Francis’ has always been true to the teachings of its Patron St. Francis of Assisi who preached the words of the Lord Jesus Christ “For it is in giving that we receive.” And continues to give the Best to the students entering in its portals. No wonder that so many pay homage to this great Institution.

Ishaak Mall
College Captain

Ladies and Gentlemen,

What began in 1885 as St. Francis’ College is not a school but a revolution to change the world, to separate the extraordinary from the ordinary, to develop us holistically with all its might. One of my favourite quotes comes from George Bernard Shaw “The reasonable man adapts himself to the world. The unreasonable one persists, trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore all progress depends on the unreasonable man.” These words mean a lot and have inspired me throughout my journey as a Franciscan.

Having fulfilled the obligation of adding a quote to the speech, I would like to take this message to a more personal level. Whatever we do, wherever we are it is our excellent grooming which sets us apart. Once at another school, a little child walks up to me and my friend and asks our school. When I tell him we are from St. Francis’ College, he says he knew it because we looked so disciplined to him. That was one of the moments I take a lot of pride in.

Being the son of an Ex-Franciscan, I knew St. Francis’ even before I came here, and the obligations that come with it. Looking back into the 130 years of its glorious past, I am amazed how many giants this College has produced in every possible field. The bond we share with each other and the school is exclusive and goes a long way in life. I even once heard from a 55 year old Ex-Franciscan that while hanging on to his life on a plane which had lost one of its engines over Afghanistan, he could not think about his wife or children no matter how hard he endeavoured but in his heart only one sentence incessantly repeated itself, “We will answer when duty shall call.” This is the epitome of the Franciscan spirit.

Being a Franciscan is a special feeling in itself. The debt we owe to our school is indeed one that cannot be repaid. I have a vision to take this school to higher glories and want everybody to join hands in this enterprise. One Vision, One Francis. Therefore, UNITE!

Pax-et-Bonum.

Thanks…!!

Harsh Vardhan Dixit
College Captain

St. Francis’ College was started with just a parish priest and his two destitute students. Despite difficulties he strived in his endeavor to educate them. Today his hard work has resulted in the establishment of one of the finest institutions in India, “St. Francis’ College”.

The modern Scenario presents itself with many difficulties in the life of a student. He not only has to perform well in his academics but also survive in the tough competition. In the prows lesser attention is paid to morals and good deeds and we give more time to the booking knowledge. This is the reason that the society is becoming more and more materialistic.

However, me as students of St. Francis’ College are privileged to belong to a rich legacy of 130 years. Students of St. Francis’ College have excelled both in academics as well have had notable achievements in other fields. Students who pass out from this college are in every way a true gentleman.

Therefore, the task at hand is very simple one, we must strive to maintain the glory and honor of St. Francis’ College. Our foremost priorities must be our academics, followed by sports, and extra-curricular activities. St. Francis’ College is known for being the foremost College in academics, and has produced students who have excelled in all competitions conducted at national and even international level.

Secondly, we must maintain a high standard of discipline inside the College, because it is due to the high standard of discipline St. Francis’ has scaled many heights.

I am extremely humbled to be appointed as the College Captain, and I am grateful for the trust the Principal and the staff has put in me.

I request for your co-operation so that we may all work for the betterment of the college.

Thanks…!!

Aman Jonathan Prakash
College Captain

Today, we fathom the gravity of Addison’s words as we embark upon a new voyage altogether, the voyage of life. In words of Gilbert K. Chesterton “Education is simply the soul of a society as it passes from one generation to another.” and it fills me with great pride and joy to admit that our alma mater has upheld this motive for over 128 years now through the meticulous education that has been endowed upon generations by the astute staff and aura of excellence in all spheres of development required to turn boys into responsible men.

Our alma mater has stood the test of time for 128 triumphant years. The focus of the education imparted here is to make the students mentally agile, physically strong, morally straight and to groom them as gentlemen and future leaders, who can bring about a change. Lead men effectively, take the world by storm at the call of duty. The trail of glory, blazed by our alumni in all walks of life, bears adequate testimony to the education in the portals of this glorious citadel of learning and evolution.

I am more than humbled to recognise the commendable efforts made by the teachers of this great institution since its very dawn, to build capacities among the students to inquire, to innovate, to be creative and develop qualities of responsibility and moral leadership.

It humbles me as the College Captain of this great institution to promise to uphold the college motto “Pax-et-Bonum” and maintain the legacy of St. Francis’ College and enrich its glory and prestige by all possible means, with the co-operation of all my fellow Franciscans.

Hail Francis! God Bless our Heaven!

Kaustubh Kapoor
College Captain

“What sculptor is to a block of marble, education is to the human sou. The philosopher, the saint, the hero, the wise and the good, or the great, very often be hidden and concealed in a plebian, which proper education might have disinterred and brought to light”

Today, we fathom the gravity of Addisons words as we embark upon an altogether new voyage, voyage of life. In one words of ‘Albert Einstein’, it is the education that helps when one has forgotten all that he had learnt in School and this was articulated through the meticulous education endowed upon us by the astute staff of St. Francis’ College.

The college has stood the test of time for 127 glorious years. The focus of the education imparted here is to make the students mentally agile, physically strong, morally straight and to groom them as gentlemen and future leaders, who can lead men effectively at the call of duty. The trail of glory, blazed by our alumni in all walks of life, bears adequate testimony to the education in the portals of this glorious citadel of learning.

A teacher plays a crucial role in building the life of a student. Hence, a teacher in school is primarily required to build capacities among the students to inquire, to innovate, to be creative and develop qualities of responsibility and moral leadership.

Concluding, I promise to uphold the college motto “Pax-et-Bonum” and maintain the legacy of St. Francis’ College and take it to heights, never heard or dreamt of.

“No matter where we go, no matter what we do, we will remain Franciscans forever.”
To St. francis’ College, I say:
“We will answer,
When duty shall call.”

Ankit Sahu
College Captain