By Kazim Abasali Friday, 13th June, 2025
The straight and narrow way gives us a direction to follow for the highest good.
"In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths." Proverbs 3:6
Growing up, I attended a college - Holy Cross College - in my hometown of Arima, and the country of my birth, Trinidad and Tobago.
The college motto is "In Hoc Signo Vinces" - "In This Sign You Will Conquer".
In AD 312, Constantine the Great prays earnestly that the true God, whoever that may be, will “reveal to him who he is, and stretch forth his right hand to help him.”
Constantine suddenly sees a bright cross of light emblazoned against the noonday sky and upon it the inscription: “In hoc signo vinces” —“In this Sign You Will Conquer.”
Statue of Constantine the Great
Constantine's subsequent victory at the Battle of the Milvian Bridge solidified his belief in the power of the Christian cross and led to the legalization of Christianity in the Roman Empire.
The cross itself is a powerful symbol of Christian faith, representing the sacrifice and redemption of Jesus Christ.
The phrase serves as a reminder of the power of faith and the promise of victory through God's guidance.
Christianity believes in a Trinity God - God, the Father, His Son, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit.
Holy Cross College in Arima, Trinidad and Tobago, was started by the Dominican Order of Preachers in 1957.
The Dominican Order, also known as the Order of Preachers (O.P.), is a Catholic mendicant order founded in France by St. Dominic de Guzmán in 1216. This order is characterized by a dedication to preaching, study, and community, with members living a life of poverty, chastity, and obedience.
The Dominican Order has a global presence, with members serving in various countries and cultures, working to spread the Gospel and serve the needs of the Church.
The Order emphasizes prayer, study, community, and service.
Holy Cross College is situated on Calvary Hill, in the city of Arima, which is located in the north-east of Trinidad (and Tobago). This twin island republic is the last in the archipelago of islands of the Caribbean, just north of Venezuela in South America.
Holy Cross College originated in the mind of the Parish Priest of Arima at the time – Canon Jeremiah Maher.
We acknowledge Canon Jeremiah Maher, Parish Priest of Arima, Archbishop Finbar Ryan O.P., the Dominican Fathers, Fr. Rev. Ignatius Candon, and Fr. Francis Mc Namara O.P.
Fr. Rev. Ignatius Candon
Holy Cross College was started in Arima on Church St. in 1957 by the Dominican Order under Fr. Rev. Ignatius Candon, the College’s first Principal, who was assisted by Fr. Francis Mc Namara O.P.
The vision of Fr. Ignatius Candon: He had visualized Holy Cross as a 20th-century Dominican Centre of Learning, just as Toulouse or Paris was in the Middle Ages.
The Holy Cross College was first located on the corner of Woodford St. and Church St. It was formerly Ince’s Property, and that building was then used as quarters for the staff of the College. An Arcon building procured from Sproston's Ltd. was used as the temporary College Building.
The College was opened on the 18th of September, 1957, with an enrollment of 74 boys, because that was the amount the building could accommodate.
From there, the College was resituated at Calvary, Arima, where it stands today.
Fr. Edward Michael Foley, O.P., became the 2nd Principal, 1959-1978, of Holy Cross College. He is known as the “Father of Holy Cross”.
Fr. Edward Michael Foley O.P.
The contribution of Fr. Foley has been monumental, serving as principal for 19 years. The college itself has been synonymous with Fr. Foley – it was virtually “his school”, shaping its destiny in its crucial early years. His devotion to staff and students has earned him the title of “Father of Holy Cross”. Inheriting a privately run institution in 1959, Fr. Foley was to see the College become a Government Assisted School on January 1st, 1961.
Being an engineer by profession, Fr. Foley had a unique contribution to make in the physical development of the school. It was during his tenure of office that the present facilities were constructed. Fr. Foley was directly responsible for the design and erection of the chapel in 1971.
Fr. Edward Foley's Mission: To bring to completion the works and vision of Fr. Ignatius Candon, the 1st Principal of the 2-year-old Holy Cross. Fr. Candon had visualized Holy Cross as a 20th-century Dominican Centre of Learning, just as Toulouse or Paris was in the Middle Ages. But before a 20th-century Albert the Great or Thomas Aquinas had been produced, the physical construction of the college was still to be achieved.
Today, the complex of buildings on Calvary Hill – The College, The Chapel, The Priory – has indeed become a reality, largely due to the ingenuity of Fr. Foley’s design and structural engineering capabilities. And, also to the generosity of the Dominican Order, together with the Archdiocese and people of Trinidad and Tobago.
Holy Cross Priory
For 2 decades, Fr. Foley laboured as Principal and Manager of Holy Cross College, building up the minds and talents of his students, especially in the realm of Technical Drawing. By his Staff, Fr. Foley was dearly appreciated, since his priority was always to set people before things. As Principal and Priest, Fr. Edward conscientiously fostered genuine human relations between himself and his Staff, and between members of the Staff.
Holy Cross Chapel
He left a College, not elaborately decorated or furnished, but this was because of his conviction of what is truly essential. Indeed, during his Principalship, he never subscribed to wasteful expenditure, and this was readily appreciated since Trinidad was not as economically affluent as today. In fact, he saved the College large sums of money by doing things himself during his time as both Principal and Manager.
Holy Cross College's Principals over the years:
Fr. Ignatius Candon O.P. – 1st Principal 1957-1959
Fr. Edward Michael Foley O.P. – 2nd Principal 1959-1978
Mr. Suresh Ramlogan – 3rd Principal 1979-2000
Dr. Bernard Tappin – 4th Principal 2000-2006
Fr. Dr. Gabriel Julien – 5th Principal 2007-2008
Mr. Peter Estrada – 6th Principal 2010 – 2014
Mr. Paul Reyes – 7th Principal 2014 – 2017
Mr. Gary Ribeiro – 8th Principal 2019 –
I have shared the history of Holy Cross College over the years through my website/blog, personally serving humbly as a volunteer and a past student, giving back to my college with the technology skills I developed as an IT professional.
Holy Cross College Arima Alumni Website
And during the term of Mr. Paul Reyes, 7th Principal 2014 – 2017, I worked diligently with him to document the planning of Holy Cross College's new building extension.
It is all documented on another website I created for Holy Cross College itself. It contains all the details of
After Principal Paul Reyes worked tirelessly to fully document the Holy Cross College's 'New' Building Extension Project, Principal Gary Ribeiro, our 8th Principal, saw the completion of the building of Holy Cross College's new building extension.
Principal Gary Ribeiro supplied me with photos and videos while the building was being built.
This is a video I created from the photos and videos he shared with me.
And this is another video I made with photos shared with me by Neil Walcott.
The progress of the planning and construction of Holy Cross College's 'New' Building Extension is duly recorded for all of our students, past and present, and any interested personnel.
As can be seen, Holy Cross College has a long history even before 1957. Many folks from Arima contributed to its development. Apart from priests, teachers, there were many laypeople involved.
This shining beacon that stands on Holy Cross Hill for everyone to see is a symbol of endurance, integrity, and shared values.
It would take more individuals like the past priests, teachers, and laypeople to continue the development and building of the hearts and minds of the coming young minds.
Kindly spare a thought for those who came before us and did their part so humbly and courageously. Their efforts must be maintained, built upon while aiming higher with excellence.
Whether we are administrators, teachers, students, or past students - alumni - we have been set a high bar to follow. It is a great mark of honor to serve in this wonderful institution.
Wear your Holy Cross College monogram with dignity. Above all, be humble. Continue to make Holy Cross College a college to emulate, as we do with the best of other colleges.
Are we working to spread the Gospel? This was the original vision of our founding fathers of our Christian faith.
Our Christian faith employs the fruits of the Spirit as love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
We have been bought by the shed blood of Jesus Christ. Whatever we do must bring glory to God. Are we proud of our deeds as administrators, teachers, and past and present students?
Any one of us who aspires to be a leader of our present and past students has a grave responsibility. Take it with the seriousness it deserves.
It involves much innovation in our present times. We have to think outside the box in this modern age.
And we must harness the Holy Spirit to shoulder this sacred trust as we serve in leadership roles.
Some of us worked very hard over the many years to help build our college and the minds of our students.
So let our service continue to bring immense value to our college, and honor the God that made us all.
"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him." Colossians 3:15-17
