College of the Holy Cross - Purple Patcher Yearbook (Worcester, MA)

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The orphans visit F itton Field. Here, as universally, the Knights of Columbus is essentially a fraternal order of Catholic men. But like most similar organizations, the K. of C. takes an active interest in the affairs of the community. Assuring immedi- ate entry into any council after grad- uation, the Crusader Council had no trouble enlisting its seventy-five mem- bers. The fraternal aspect is sufficient appeal for the sociable Cross men Qthough pre-meds have a further in- ducementi. The Knights have not had cause for disappointment. At the bimonthly meetings Grand Knight john Fox con- ducted a program of informative lec- tures and movies. A sprinkling of lighter humorous and musical enter- tainment provided variety. In the cause of fellowship, the Knights spon- sored timely picnics, banquets, and bowling parties. This year they had special reason to celebrate as their moderator, Rev. joseph A. Busam, SJ., marked his fiftieth year as a Iesuit. At the invitation of his Emi- nence Richard Cardinal Cushing, the Crusader Council Was present in the sanctuary as Fr. Busam celebrated the annual Columbus Day Mass at Holy Cross Cathedral in Boston. The Crusader Council had a two- fold program of community service. Playing ball with the Nazareth or- phans each Saturday formed the proj- ect of the Youth Activities committee. The Catholic Activities group erected signs which point out local Catholic churches to travelers, it sponsored, moreover, a campus essay contest to stimulate interest in theology. As with any other facet of our col- lege education, the religious is par- tially preparatory. Here We have learned a philosophy of life and a sense of values which should direct our lives: the essential vocation of a Christian man is to perfect himself, thereby he Works to improve the City of Cod on earth so that he may share in its completeness forever. -THOMAS SHEA KNICHTS OF COLUMBUS OFFICERS. Christopher Christou, Richard Lamb Raoul Vanden Bosche, john F ox, Vincent Birbiglia, Peter LaChapelle, Brian Boyle.

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Most Rev. Bernard J. Flanagan, Bishop of Worcester The Mass occupies a prominent place in the lives of the Holy Cross students and faculty alike, it is not altogether strange then that the St. John Berchmans' Sanctuary Society should consider its whole purpose the perfection of devotion at this Sacri- fice. Its members daily serve the students, Masses as well as those of the Jesuits. This year there were two hundred and fifty men whom presi- dent Tom Moriarty signed up to serve one week a month. By serving, they knew they could better fulfill their obligation to attend Mass. By saying the responses and offering the wine and water, they become more aware of the true nature of the Mass. Bishop Bernard Flanagan has taken an active interest in our spiritual prog- ress and projects. He has encoLu'aged our work with the orphans and the hospitalized, he has asked our co- operation with the newly formed Pro Deo clubs. As alumnus, friend, and patron of the college, Bishop Flana- gan has shown an interest which is both warm and sincere. This feeling is conveyed whether he be sitting in the Rectoris box at the B. C. game or addressing the students at the Christ- mas banquet and, most especially, by his willingness to offer his time, pres- ence and cooperation to any college function. To show our appreciation, the Purple Key, Sodality, and Student Congress combined to sponsor a lec- ture by Frank Sheed, its proceeds were given to the Bishop's charities as a gift from the student body.

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A former President of Holy Cross once said that, a college is a microcosm, a world unto itself. A college no less than the world is in a state of con- tinual flux, ever evolving in its struc- ture and philosophy. This process is almost imperceptible at times, at others it is excitingly evident and al- most dramatic. The four years which the Class of 1962 passed on Mount Saint James was such a period of rapid movement, and the movement was a progressive struggle toward excellence. By the end of the fifties criticism of Catholic higher education had become so incessant as to be almost trite. A century of silence was broken only by a few perspicacious and daring in- dividuals, and, when the initial shock subsided, Catholic educators settled down for a truly critical appraisal of their system. They found that the accomplish- ments of Catholic higher education were quite momentous. Five genera- tions of a predominantly immigrant minority group had constructed a huge system of schools on 267 cam- puses, including 31 universities, en- rolling 322,000 students. These schools graduated countless doctors, lawyers, teachers, and businessmen. Their alumni were successful and respected members of almost every community. At the same time, however, this edu- cational system had failed in the at- tainment of one goal-excellence, too often it had even neglected to adopt such a goal. Where, asked the critics, are the Catholic scholars? Where are the leaders in the arts and sciences? The answer often was that they did not exist in any great number because they did not exist at all. The critics asked, where was there a Catholic college or university which could compare with the quality of the finest secular colleges? The answer again was that such an institution did not exist. Holy Cross was affected by this dis- cussion no less than any other Catholic college. It antedated most of them and even many of the finest secular institutions. It was almost universally recognized as the outstanding Catholic