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Andrés Manjón facts for kids

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Venerable
Andrés Manjón y Manjón
Andrés Manjón.png
Pictured c. 1910.
Born 30 November 1846
Sargentes de Lora, Burgos, Kingdom of Spain
Died 10 July 1923(1923-07-10) (aged 76)
Granada, Spanish Kingdom
Venerated in Roman Catholic Church
Attributes Priest's cassock
Patronage Ave Maria Schools

Andrés Manjón y Manjón (born in Sargentes de la Lora, Spain, on November 30, 1846 – died July 10, 1923) was a Spanish priest and a very important educator. He is famous for starting special schools called the Escuelas del Ave-María (Ave Maria Schools) in Granada. These schools aimed to give a good education to children, especially those who were poor. He became a priest on June 16, 1886. Later, in 2020, Pope Francis recognized him as "Venerable," which is a step towards becoming a saint in the Roman Catholic Church.

Who Was Andrés Manjón?

Andrés Manjón was born in a small town in the Burgos region of Spain. From a young age, he showed a strong interest in helping others. He studied hard and decided to become a priest. He was ordained, meaning he became a priest, in 1886.

A Passion for Education

Manjón believed that education was key to a better life. He saw many children, especially those from poorer families, who did not have access to good schools. He felt it was his mission to change this. He wanted to create a new way of teaching that was fun and effective for all children.

Founding the Ave Maria Schools

In 1889, Andrés Manjón started his first school in Granada, Spain. He called them the Escuelas del Ave-María, or Ave Maria Schools. These schools were special because they focused on teaching children in a very practical and loving way.

What Made the Schools Special?

  • Learning by Doing: Children learned through hands-on activities and games.
  • Outdoor Classrooms: Many lessons took place outdoors, in gardens or courtyards.
  • Caring Teachers: Teachers were encouraged to be like parents to the students.
  • Focus on Values: Besides regular subjects, the schools taught strong moral values.
  • Open to All: The schools welcomed children from all backgrounds, especially the poor.

Impact on Education

The Ave Maria Schools became very popular. They showed that a different kind of education was possible. Manjón's ideas influenced many other educators in Spain and beyond. He believed that every child deserved a chance to learn and grow.

His Legacy and Recognition

Andrés Manjón continued to work for education until his death in 1923. His schools continued to grow and help thousands of children. His dedication to helping the poor and educating young people was widely admired.

Becoming "Venerable"

In 2020, Pope Francis declared Andrés Manjón "Venerable." This is an important title in the Catholic Church. It means that the Church believes he lived a life of heroic virtue. It is the first step on the path to possibly becoming a saint. This recognition highlights his lasting impact and his example of selfless service.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Andrés Manjón para niños

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