West Philadelphia Catholic Girls High School - Gleam Yearbook (Philadelphia, PA)

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Philadelphia Catholic Girls' High School. Not with sword and armor is our contest to be won, but with the keener weapon of learning acquired by means of a Catholic education whose principles and ideals are embodied in the symbolism of our shield. On the seal the flaming torch, symbol ot' lite, represents the spirit or lite ofour school, or the life of each individual of the school. In front of the torch of life is the circle of eternity surrounded on one side by the roses of Truth and Loyalty, and on the other by the lilies of Purity. May these be the characteristic virtues of all VVest Philadelphia Catholic High School girlsl Within the circle, as it were between life and eternity is the shield of Fortitude. Upon the shield is the Book of Know- ledge supported by a dove, emblem of the Holy Spirit upon the firm foundation ot' whose inspiration all our learning will be secure. From above the Crown, image of Christ as King, sheds the rays of His gentle guidance. Under Him Who said, I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life, we will walk in peace and safety. ln the technical language of Blazonry the device of the shield alone is: fefd, fl.l?t'flll'f' azureq book, venler pofnl, org dove

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ARK, the cavalcade is soundingl Down the long, rugged, yet glittering road of the ages advance the warriors of the world. Ensigns flash in the sunlight, banners are proudly lifted, fluttering eagerly in the fresh breeze. Wrought on every ensign and banner, emblazoned on heavy war shields are emblems deep with symbolic meaning proclaiming the aspirations of the warrior or vaunting with naive candor the glorious deeds of his ancestors. Angles and Saxons, Normans and Celts, Venetians and Genoese display Ilona' chafyanfrv, lionir pa.r,ranzir, lionir gardamir and regardanhr. Sun, moon, and stars shine in wrought gold, flowers of every shape and hue are scattered with lavish beauty, while high above all, leading in royal dignity, is the red Cross of Faith held by the Crusaders. The Crusades it was that developed Heraldry, for so many were the leaders of high de- gree in these wars for the possession of the Country of Christ that it was necessary for each to have some mark by which he could be distinguished. So, in our day the struggle for Christ's Kingdom is still being waged, and as loyal descendants of these noble Crusaders we lift high today the emblem of The West

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volanf, nombrzf poznf, or, crown, chief pofnf, or and azure. The hook on the shield is an echo from the seal of our Sister School, the Iohn W. Hallahan Catholic Girls' High School. Qccurring as it does in the heart of each seal, it would seem to indicate that both schools are one in spirit and ideals. The motto uf refer meiw, as you sow, so shall you reap, will lead us on to ever higher and nobler deeds as We ponder on its depth of meaning. Throughout our school career we are sowing the seed whose harvest will he reaped in the years of our future life in the world. Better still at the close of our school life we need not leave our motto behind with our books and les- sons. We may take it with us into the fields of the future where we shall sow the more fertile seed for the blessed harvest in the golden years of Eternity. Of old the knight would suffer death cheerfully rather than allow the fair surface of his shield to he hesmirched. So let us, proud in the possession of so glorious an emblem and motto, hold them aloft ever unspotted, unsmirched, radiant, trium- phant for the glory of God and the honor of our heautiful Mother Mary.