Long years of missionary work and deep influence of the Claretian Missionary Fathers, embodied by St. Anthony Mary Claret, is reflected in the school seal of Claret College of Isabela. The school seal, with its existential importance, is a symbol which every Claretian should know, understand and treasure with sublime stance and affection.
The school seal illuminates with clarity the mission of the school.
Surrounding the upper half of the seal is the name of the school: “CLARET COLLEGE of ISABELA.” On the bottom, surrounding the seal, is the location of the school, “ISABELA CITY, BASILAN.”
In the circular field is the school emblem which is distinctly divided into two portions: the deep blue at the right and the radiant red at the left.
The right portion of the emblem shows a glorious sun above the moon. The sun symbolizes the Son of God, resplendent in His might and love; while the moon stands for Mary, who, like the moon, receives and reflects radiant light of the sun, the sunlight of God’s love. The sun also stands for the family name of “Claret,” while the moon stands for the family of Anthony’s mother “Clara,” meaning clear. The bridge over the river divides the town of Salient, Spain, where Anthony was born. His father, Juan Claret, hailed from the eastern side of the city while his mother came from the western portion. The design imprints St. Anthony’s devotion to his parents, Juan and Josefa, thus establishing his corporal birth. Likewise, this also expresses his filial love for Jesus and the Blessed Mother, thus marking his spiritual birth as well.
The left side of the emblem depicts the symbol of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Patroness of the Congregation of Missionaries, Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, which St. Anthony Claret founded in 1849. Upon the red background is the heart of Mary. The fire bursting forth from Mary’s heart symbolizes her limitless love for her son, the roses stand for Mary’s tenderness, while the sword represents her sufferings. There are also three white lilies representing Mary’s pure love. The lilies also refer to St. Anthony’s favorite saints, St. Anthony de Padua and St. Louis Gonzaga, both known for their practice of purity. It was on St. Anthony’s feast, 13 June 1835, which Anthony Claret was ordained into the priesthood and it was at the Church of St. Anthony of Padua where he said his first mass. On the other hand, St. Louis Gonzaga was the patron of an organization to which St. Anthony Claret belonged as a seminarian and it was during his feast when Anthony said his first mass.
At the bottom part of the emblem are the words “SCIENTIA MAXIME CUM VIRTUTE” – KNOWLEDGE IS BEST WITH VIRTUE. This phrase had become the motto of the school to embody the search for knowledge and the promotion of intellectual growth, which is made more inspiring with the actual practice of virtue.