École St-Sacrement (ESS) is a Roman Catholic, French Immersion elementary school (K-7) with over 200 students, situated near Vancouver General Hospital in an historically French-Canadian neighbourhood next to Vancouver’s only Francophone church, Paroisse St-Sacrement. Parents participate actively in various school events and/or routine duties, logging 40 hours per year. Belonging to the Catholic Independent Schools of Vancouver Archdiocese, Blessed Sacrament emphasizes educating the whole child: spiritually, emotionally, physically and intellectually. For more information, please, click on the Admissions tab above.

L’École St-Sacrement est une école Catholique Immersion Française de la maternelle à la septième année avec une population de plus de deux cents élèves. L’école est située près de l’hôpital général de Vancouver dans le voisinage historique des Canadiens-Français à côté de la seule église Catholique francophone de Vancouver, la Paroisse St-Sacrement. Les parents de notre communauté participent activement dans les divers événements scolaires et/ou aident dans des travaux routiniers en participant quarante heures ou plus par année scolaire. L’école fait partie des écoles Catholiques indépendentes du diocèse de Vancouver. L’École St-Sacrement offre une éducation globale en mettant l’emphase sur le côté spirituel, emotionnel, physique et intellectuel de l’enfant. Pour de plus amples renseignements, cliquez sur la tabulatrice inscriptions (admissions) en haut de la page.

We are very happy that our child has had the opportunity to grow and learn joyfully at such a wonderful school with excellent teachers. – ESS Parent

I love ESS because it’s more than just a school; it’s a caring community where parents, educators, and students unite like family. From celebrating successes to lending a helping hand, the strong sense of community at ESS truly embodies the spirit of ‘it takes a village to raise a child.’ It’s a unique and nurturing environment where everyone rallies together for the betterment of our children. – ESS Parent

MISSION/PURPOSE (WHO WE ARE)

We are a community of students, educators, families and parishioners, committed to instilling passion for learning, love of French and dedication to our Catholic Faith.

OUR FOUNDING SISTERS

École St-Sacrement was founded in 1954 by Soeurs du bon Pasteur. The Sisters had a strong commitment to providing quality education rooted in the values and principles of our faith. Their dedication and vision have left a lasting legacy in our school’s history.

OUR COMMUNITY VALUES

• Love, kindness and compassion
• Building close supportive connections
• Cherishing our culture, history and traditions
• Taking care of our common home
• Fostering resilience, confidence and adaptability in our children

Blessed Sacrament school exists to serve Catholic families who choose a French Immersion experience for their children. Religious, French-speaking Sisters originally staffed the school; currently,  all teachers and Educational assistants are bilingual.

Students come from throughout the greater Vancouver area to learn the French language and culture and integration of the French language into all aspects of their lives.

Blessed Sacrament Parish plays a significant role in the faith formation of the students in the school as it extends the French language into all aspects of parish and school life.

Blessed Sacrament School follows policies and procedures as outlined by the CISVA.

Our parish education committee works to ensure that, at the local level, policies are respected and adhered to.

We strive to ensure that all students are safe, accepted and respected.

We acknowledge the land on which we gather isthe traditional territory of the Coast Salish Peoples, includingterritories of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations.  

As a community of Catholic educators at Blessed Sacrament School, we strive to develop the potential of each child within a structured learning environment and to share our faith and our French cultural heritage with our pupils so that they become fulfilled, responsible members of society through:

MORAL AND SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT

We wish to foster a love and knowledge of our faith and inspire a practice of compassion and interdependence.

INTELLECTUAL DEVELOPMENT

We believe in the natural enthusiasm of each child. We call upon this enthusiasm so that each child

will desire to learn on his or her own.

EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT

We desire to foster each child’s love for family and respect for the teachers and schoolmates. We

wish to develop in each child a positive self-image so that he/she may feel confident, secure,

valued and cared for.

SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

We hope to prepare each child for life and society by teamwork, mutual help and sharing.

PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

We care for the health of each child through team sports, games, physical education classes and

good nutritional habits.

FRENCH IMMERSION

As a Catholic French Immersion school, we offer children the opportunity to learn to communicate in French at school and in society. Our aim is to help each student develop oral and written fluency in French while learning about French heritage.

Communicating in French at all times during school hours is essential for the success of our French Immersion Program. Each classroom has a system designed to encourage this model. It is also the responsibility of the parents to support and promote students’ efforts. Parents are encouraged to involve their children in out-of-school activities conducted in French whenever possible.

PRINCIPLES OF CATHOLIC EDUCATION

(C) CHRIST-CENTERED – Catholic Education fosters a personal relationship with Jesus Christ in the family of the Church; our faith in Christ is evident and permeates all facets of the educational environment.
(A) APOSTOLIC – Catholic Education is founded on and guided by the truth of the Gospel, beginning with the apostles and handed on by the Pope and bishops.
(T) TRADITION – Catholic Education guides us in the selection of excellent content, pedagogy and resources in the pursuit of Truth through faith and reason.
(H) HOLY – Catholic Education draws upon scripture, the sacraments and prayer to help us to respond to the universal call to holiness.
(O) ONE – Catholic Education responds to Christ’s desire “that they may all be one” (John 17.21) by integrating the various parts of what we learn into the coherent whole.
(L) LOVE – Catholic Education calls us to witness that God is love; and therefore, recognizes the inherent dignity of every human person, especially the marginalized and most vulnerable.
(I) INALIENABLE – Catholic Education promotes that “the right and the duty of parents to educate their children are primordial and inalienable” and “parents have the first responsibility for the education of their children” (CCC 2221, 2223).
(C) COMMUNION/COMMUNITY – Catholic Education is inclusive and welcoming where every student is nurtured in developing a right relationship with God and others by balancing the rights of the individual with the Common Good.

Our Theme 2025-2026

Proclaiming the Faith: A Visual Invitation

The act of proclaiming our faith is central to the mission of the Catholic Church, rooted in Christ’s command to “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19). This artwork serves as a visual meditation on that sacred calling, inviting viewers to reflect on their role in spreading the Gospel and embodying the Body of Christ. Through abstraction, vibrant color, and symbolic design, it seeks to transcend physicality and point toward the spiritual nature of humanity united in Christ. It is a proclamation not only of faith but also of unity, transformation, and divine purpose.

Conceptual Framework: The Body of Christ and Spiritual Abstraction

This piece represents the universal and unifying nature of the Body of Christ (Corpus Christi), as described in 1 Corinthians 12:12-27. The abstraction of human figures, stripped of physical detail, alludes to their spiritual essence; individuals transformed by grace into one cohesive body. Each figure is depicted with bursts of radiant color, symbolizing the unique gifts and talents bestowed upon them by God (1 Corinthians 12:4-6). These colors converge in harmony around the cross, illustrating the death of ego required to fully embrace Christ’s light (Galatians 2:20) and become part of His mystical body.

Liturgical Symbolism: Eucharistic Imagery and Apostolic Heritage

The central cross and fragmented circle evoke hands lifting the Eucharist, echoing the proclamation, “We proclaim your death, O Lord, until you come again” (1 Corinthians 11:26) The twelve abstracted figures nod to divine providence and the commissioning of the Twelve Apostles (Matthew 10:1-4), who were instructed by Christ to spread the Gospel to all nations. This connection reinforces the apostolic heritage of the Catholic Church, rooted in its mission to proclaim salvation and preserve unity through apostolic succession.

Historical Context: Mosaics and Stained Glass in Christian Iconography

The fractured circular background pays homage to the rich tradition of Christian mosaics and stained-glass art from it’s earliest Byzantine roots to today, which have long served as profound tools for veneration and the proclamation of faith. These sacred art forms were created to visually communicate divine truths to the faithful, often illuminating biblical narratives and symbolic representations of humanity’s relationship with God through Christ and the Holy Spirit.

Color Symbolism: Blue and Purple in Catholic Tradition

The colors blue and purple hold profound theological significance within the Catholic tradition. Blue symbolizes divine illumination and is associated with the Virgin Mary’s purity and connection to God’s light. Purple denotes penance, humility, and royalty; qualities embodied by Christ during His Passion. Together, these hues reflect both the transcendence and suffering inherent in Christ’s mission.

Spiritual Vision: Proclaiming Faith Through Fractured Unity in CISVA

In alignment with the mission of the Catholic Independent Schools of the Vancouver Archdiocese (CISVA) to “live, celebrate, and proclaim our faith” in partnership with home and parish, this artwork reflects the spiritual journey of proclaiming salvation amidst the challenges of a fragmented world. The circular, fractured design symbolizes humanity’s diverse and imperfect efforts to spread the Gospel across cultures and nations (Matthew 28:19-20). Yet, through Christ as the mediator (Ephesians 2:14), these fragments are reconciled into a unified whole, illustrating the transformative power of faith and the Church’s mission to build the Kingdom of God.

The twelve figures surrounding the cross represent the Apostles, commissioned by Christ to proclaim His message to all corners of the earth. This echoes CISVA’s commitment to fostering evangelizing school communities that guide students in their pursuit of truth, beauty, and goodness within the Catholic intellectual tradition. The vibrant bursts of color signify the unique gifts and talents each individual brings to this shared mission, a reflection of CISVA’s dedication to nurturing responsible citizens and Catholic leaders who embody their faith.

Conclusion

This artwork serves as a visual proclamation of CISVA’s mission to integrate faith into all aspects of life. It invites viewers into a contemplative journey of spiritual transformation; calling for a surrender of self to partake in Christ’s light and become unified within His mystical body. Rooted in Catholic theology and tradition, it celebrates both the diversity and unity of our faith community while inspiring us to live out our shared mission with courage and conviction.