Pakyong (east Sikkim) Sept. 14: “Go set all afire”, St Ignatius of Loyola told Francis Xavier, from Paris, when he sent him to India as a missionary in 1540.

Students of St Xavier’s, Pakyong, did just that during the golden jubilee celebrations yesterday, paying a fitting tribute to St Francis Xavier.

Reza Ansari, who played the saint in the musical on Xavier’s life, Set All Afire, held the audience in thrall with support from Reekpa Hissey, who played Ignatius.

A powerful chorus, comprising senior girl students and orchestra by the children of Gandhi Ashram, Kalimpong, added to the ambience of the two-hour musical which revolved around Francis Xavier’s years at the University of Paris in 1530.

The final phase of his life as a university student is considered an important episode because that is when he headed for India and reached Goa to spread the word of God.

Penniless after completing his studies and nurturing a dream to become a professor, he was chosen as one of the missionaries by Ignatius to be sent to India as desired by the pope.

The musical was directed by teachers of the school. Father Arthur Rasquinha was the music director.

Set up in 1952, Xavier’s, Pakyong, is considered one of the best schools in the state with an alumni list that boasts of civil servants, sportspersons, and other professionals in the state and national level.

Indian soccer’s golden boy Bhaichung Bhutia, who developed his soccer skills while in school, had joined the primary section and studied till Class 8.

It was in Pakyong that Bhutia first received offers from the Sports Authority of India and the Tata Football Academy.

Speaking at the event, principal of the school Father Gerard Lepcha said the school was an institutional achievement for the state and was recognised as a pioneer in imparting modern education.

The school also paid homage to its founder, Father Leonard Molomo.

Named Roman Catholic School during its inception in 1952, it functioned with 25 students.

Later, under three different principals — Father Joseph Kunnath, Father Felix Farreto and Fr. George D’Souza — well known in north Bengal and Sikkim for their contribution to education, the school was recognised as the best educational institution in the state from 1973 to the 90s.

Pakyong, some 30 km from Gangtok has grown into a subdivisional town. Apart from students from the state, it also has a large number of students from Bhutan and Nepal.

This is not all. St. Xavier’s is credited for being the first school in the state and north Bengal, to have started computer education in the early 80s.