Campion Jesuit High School - Knight Yearbook (Prairie du Chien, WI)

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Dedication A mong the many dead of the war were sons of Campion. And it might be that they would have been those Cath- olic leaders the world had awaited so expectantly. In a brief space their careers were altered. From a life of se- curity and peaceful study, they were thrust almost without warn- ing into the mad global struggle. They were called to serve. And how fully they gave their answer, we know, sorrowingly, but proudly. They had not been trained to the brutal ways of war, but had busied themselves in preparing to meet life ' s innumer- able perplexities in peace. To enlighten bv their knowledge a world struggling in religious darkness; to strengthen by the power of their Catholic truth a world weakened bv selfishness, this had been their purpose. But to live as God wanted them to live and to die as He wanted them to die, this, over and above all else, was the beckoning star that led them. The principles which governed their lives are those by which all must attain sanctity : to do God ' s will in all things. These sons of Campion were striving for this when they were cut short. All they had lived for was shattered. Their hopes fell in ruins about them. But despite this, their earlv training in Catholic homes, and the later instruction at Campion, enabled them to see in all this change the will of God. Confident, they knew that even in death they were following His plans for them. Their willing sacrifice of all they held dear cannot be held cheaply. Can we believe that their preparation was vain and fruitless? Is not the world a better place because of their brief sojourn in it? Although they may not have made great contributions to science or literature, the shining example of their Catholic lives and their faithful adherence to principle was of far greater value. To insure the lasting value of their oblation, we Seniors of 1946 pledge ourselves to carry out their lofty ideals. We promise to strive that we may fill worthily the places they left vacant. To carry our Catholic heritage to a pagan world, and to instill our Catholic hope in a world of despair, this is and will be our en- during memorial of them. To them, proudly, yet with heavy hearts, we dedicate this vol- ume of THE CAMPION KNIGHT.

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N . ' ' ± iil HHIIl l »M»H Down through that dark and veiled valley They marched so bravely, side by side, Aware of pain and death which brooded near. (Yet not all who entered unafraid Will see again the beauty of the world they left. No, some will slowly rise and carry wounds; Still others will forever rest where struck.) (Stand straight, O, scarred and withered tree, You mark the grave of him who died for li- berty.) They asked for naught, but gave their all In distant lands, and troubled, quickened seas. The hope of glory, pride or fame ' s desire Urged them not to do their deeds untold. Such find no favors ' fore their Final Judge. Dear God, we can ' t forget their pain and toil Proffered us with lavish hand in battle ' s ag- ony; Nor that their valor has again restored a long- lost peace, And marked once more the ways of Christian brotherhood. W. R. Mulhearn, ' 46

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Foreword m hile the primary objective of this CAMPION KNIGHT is to be a source of fond and happy memories for the graduates, this is not our sole purpose. Yi e endeavor also to illustrate in the following pages the means by which the fundamental characteristics of Campion are lived throughout the year. Loyalty to God and to country, these are the traits of the Campionite. These are the characteristics which have guided us through our stay at our beloved school, and which will, we trust, rule our future lives. These same traits have made us men of good morals, have strengthened our courage, have given ub a sincere respect for our fellow-man. They will enable us, we are sure, more suitably to take our positions in life. To those who have given uu unselfishly of their time and en- couragement during our careers as students, we extend our sin- cerest gratitude. What we are now, and what we shall be, is due in no small measure to the principles of manhood which they have impressed on us.