He Conquers Who Conquers Himself
A Journey into the Depth of Ordinary Life
Tilden’s mission is to help young men strive towards excellence in every area of life. Our five pillars — Grit, Culture, Work, Friendship, and Prayer — express that pursuit: the formation of men who can govern themselves, love what is good, work with purpose, build strong friendships, and seek God faithfully.
Tilden Study Center has activities for boys in grades 8th-12th and for men in college. Activities occur throughout the year and are open to any student.
Our Coat of Arms
At its foundation is the motto: Vincit qui se vincit — “He conquers who conquers himself.” All true excellence begins with self-mastery. Before a man can lead, serve, or improve the world around him, he must learn to govern himself. This is the spirit of grit.
At the sides, the bear and the eagle place Tilden within California and the United States. They call for a healthy patriotism and an appreciation of culture — the task of receiving a heritage and building upon it. This is the spirit of culture.
Within the shield is the fishing boat, recalling the Gospel scene in which Christ calls Peter to put out into the deep (“duc in altum”). For St. Josemaría, that scene revealed two truths: that ordinary work is a privileged place of encounter with God, and that each Christian is sent into the world as an apostle. This is the spirit of work.
The three roses recall the Rose of Rialp, the gilded rose St. Josemaría found in Pallerols while escaping persecution during the Spanish Civil War — a sign of Our Lady’s care and guidance. They also suggest the beauty of faith, hope, and charity. This is the spirit of friendship.
Above the shield is the North Star, a sign of direction. The star reminds us to seek our vocation, to orient our lives according to God’s plan, and, once that path is known, to follow it faithfully. This is the spirit of prayer.
“For a modern apostle, an hour of study is an hour of prayer.”
– St. Josemaria Escriva, The Way, 335