The Guyana Post Office (GPO) has released three new stamps in celebration of a cluster of Jesuit anniversaries: in 2007, the 150th anniversary of the arrival of the Jesuits in Guyana; the beginnings of St Stanislaus College on the Brickdam site in 1907; and next year, the centenary of the establishment of the St Ignatius Mission, Lethem, in Guyana’s interior.

The stamps were launched August 25 during the opening of the GPO’s Philatelic Arts Exhibition at their Training School.

Jesuit Superior in Guyana, Fr Dermot Preston, told the Catholic Standard that he is pleased.

“Thanks and praise are to be given to the GPO: the stamps have been beautifully designed and executed. Their research has been impeccable and the GPO administration have taken great pains to get all the details correct; the graphic artists have made each stamp a miniature work of art.

“Taken together, the three stamps form a triptych which symbolises the major themes of the Jesuit work in Guyana thus far – pastoral ministry (Sacred Heart church); the education apostolate (St Stanislaus College) and the evangelisation of the Guyanese Interior (two Amerindians with Fr Cuthbert Cary-Elwes SJ). This is our exciting heritage…it is now our turn to make the next 150 years ones that will be remembered.”

The stamp bearing the image of Sacred Heart church has the value of Guy $100, St Stanislaus College  - Guy $80, and Fr Cary Elwes – Guy $160.