St. Francis Xavier and St. Philip Neri are indeed a winning combination for St. Francis Xavier School. Upon visiting the school, guests are struck by the four large banners hanging on the auditorium walls. Two banners portray St. Francis Xavier and two portray St. Philip Neri. While St. Francis Xavier is well known straight away because our school bears his name, St. Philip Neri is equally linked to our school and parish. Neri is the founder of the Congregation of the Oratory. Also known as the Oratorians, the Congregation of the Oratory can be found around the world, and here in Fairmount, Philadelphia, has been entrusted with the pastoral care of our parish and is united with our school in the apostolate of Catholic education.

Everyday the faculty and students pray to these two saints to intercede for them – that is, to bring our prayers and spiritual intentions to the heart of Jesus. At the same time, the lives of these saints challenge us to live and work with a more virtuous spirit; to worship and pray more fervently; to increase our devotion to the Blessed Mother and, most importantly, to keep the Eucharist at the center of all we do. They call upon us to be selfless, courageous, holy and cheerful in the face of our daily activities. In a day in age when "connections" and "networks" are said to be critical to success, St. Francis Xavier School is blessed to have two friends in the highest of all places!