Boston College High School - Forbian Yearbook (Boston, MA)

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Rr-.v. Humax' A. WII,I.IAMSON, S.-I. MR- JOHN W- GREEN, SJ- lrzyfrupmy in Cfwniixfry IlIKl4V'l1t'f0l' in TVi1QlIlIf?IlIt'fYj' MR. JOHN R. BRODERICK, A.M. IlISfl'IlK'fUl' in Mczllwlllzlfifs U21 Mk. JOHN P. FARRKQY, JR., A.M 1llXfl'l1t'fUl' in Trigm1rn111'h'.1'

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THE EDITOR OF THE RENAISSANCE SPEAKS TO THE SENIOR CLASS QJFO Illililant C0lfl70l1t'lif7ll THOUGH IT IS realized that Humanity stands at the threshold of the most terrible era in its history, We seem to be more concerned with blaming other people for getting Humanity into its present fix, than we are in getting Humanity out of it. We Catholics, in our more negative moments, have an especial weakness for blaming other people for the plight of the world, and in our scramble to do so we invariably forget that perhaps some of the blame could be attributed to ourselves. We have the Truth, yes, but we cannot avoid reprehension if we continue to shirk our individual responsi- bility to spread Truth. It is painfully evident that all Catholics have not lived up to the responsibility of spreading their faith by example and vigorous action. One wonders if the milque- toast, half-hearted Catholic of today does not give as much cause for irritation to the Almighty by his lack of action, as does the red-hot unbeliever by his misdirected excess of it. Fulton Sheen says that inactivity for the faith could result ultimately in loss of faith. Rembrandt too, had the right idea. Realizing the complacency of the elect, he painted the picture of a man pushing Christ back up on His cross, and labeled it self-portrait. In Europe today, Catholic Action--Militant Catholicism-is defeating the forces of anti-God. We too must support a fighting, militant Catholicism if we wish to save our own civilization. This militant Catholicism cannot be attempted or achieved merely by giving lip-service to the Church, or by sitting back confident that the efforts of the Holy Father, the clergy and a few enthusiastic members of the laity will be enough. No, if the Church is to save the world from the impending crisis of all crises, from that confusion worse confounded, then the work of Catholicism must be the work, the consuming flame, the endless passion, the veritable all, of every individual Catholic. That is a startling requirement, but these are startling times, and there is no room for the half-determined. The individual-there is where Catholicism shall find its most complete expression. For Christianity is based on the sacredness of individual personality, and sustained individual enthusiasm for the Church inevitably finds manifest expression in the life of a nation and the morality of the masses. We are young. In our veins flows the brimming blood of the generation that must save the world, or go down with it. There will be no chance for another generation after our own. The task is completely in our hands. If we fail then all is lost. We shall not fail if we take up into our hearts and our hands the weapons which the Church has supplied us and fight as we have never fought before. Pius XII said recently to a Roman crowd of close to a half-million, The time for reflection and planning is past. The time for acdon is now. Then in a plea meant for each and every one of us, he looked out at the sea of strained, Italian faces, and summoning all the impact of his God-given authority into three short words, cried out, ARE YOU READY? From the crowd came back a tumultuous and resounding YES. What shall our answer be? Militant Catholicism-let this be our passionate objective. Let its spirit be the ultimate fruit of all we have learned at B C. ,High. It is to the enkindling of this most essential spirit that the 1948 edition of the Renaissance is devoted. EDWARD R. F. SHEEHAN, '48, Edilor T141 0