De La Salle Institute - Torch Yearbook (New York, NY)

Page 78 text:

Q ' Q :Y 4 I Il I C ,Z I i 1 N -I . I 1 'i , il 1 l t 1 Sl li , i ll .I I I A I I A xl' I li X. I i 1 - I - il amid: lg fx s I A ARcHcoN1FRMrEiaNiTY ole THE cnnau pesos ANY years ago. during the French revolution, the word religion seemed to grate on the ears of those who one time called themselves Catholics, and they destroyed churches and schools and banished all religion from the country. One of the Orders of Religious, which suffered at that time. was the Christian Brothers founded by Saint John Baptist De La Salle. The one am- bition of the Christian Brothers was to make reparation for the insults which had been hurled in the face of God, by their rfellowmen. Their ambition was satisfied when they established the Archconfraternity of the Infant Jesus, a Spiritual Society, whose members by means of frequent communion, novenas, meetings and works of piety might become companions of the Infant Jesus. Five years ago, a branch of the Society was introduced into our school, under the title of the De La Salle Chapter of the Archconfraternity of the Infant Jesus. This chapter has since attained the seat of success, due to its large number of members and ,consistency of meeting. As the years progress, and the enroll- ment of the De La Salle Institute increases. we can hope for an even greater chapter of the Society. In accordance with the rules of the Society, meetings were held on the twenty-fifth of each month, in the school Auditorium. Each meeting was opened with the renewal of the Act of Consecration and singing of the-hymn 74

Page 77 text:

L el the school year these meetings were featured by some short, but decidedly interesting talks, given both by Brother Charles and Brother Director. The supreme council, composed of representative members of each class, was selected. The officers selected to govern the society this year were as follows: Grand Knight: James Fetherston Deputy Grand Knight: Hubert Boyle Knight Secretary: James Hillery Knight Treasurer: John Kemp Sacrislans: James Casey, Patrick Callahan By the time this article goes to pressf the all important and crowning event of the Knights will not yet have occurred. This event, the annual communion breakfast, has always been a solemn function, for it is on this occasion that the squires, or candidates for admission, are Knighted. The ceremonies consist of Mass, Holy Communion and Solemn Benediction, followed by the Com- munion Break-fast. The breakfast is arranged in some -hotel, and during its course, several addresses are made by noteworthy personages, including the Moderator and Grand Knight. For the past years, the ceremonies in the church and at the hotel have been most solemn and most impressive, and as this year has been the greatest year in the short history of the society, there is no reason why the communion breakfast should not be the best ever. The active work of the society ceases for another year when the members attend this annual communion breakfast. F rx 1a Y 1 M ml? 73

Page 79 text:

K 1 to the lnfant Jesus, which was followed by some interesting talks on Vocation and customs of the different orders, by members of the religious orders them- selves. At the December meeting. a grand rally was held, and a little amuse- ment was introduced into the regular proceedings. The Senior class gave a very interesting debate, and the intermissions were filled by the School Orchestra under the direction of Gervais McDonough, and the supervision of Brother Charles, According to the usual procedure, at the first meeting of the chapter the officers elected to govern the Society for the year were installed as follows: President, Robert P, Curley, '3o: Vice-president, Thomas McManmon, '31g Secretary, Joseph Cosgrove. '3o: Treasurer, James G. Reidy, '30, The Rever- end Brother Edward brought the meeting to a close with a very interesting talk on the object of the Society. Among the speakers of note who addressed the Society during the year may be mentioned Father Julian. whose subject was Saint Francis of Assisi: Father Hughes, who spoke of the Dominican Order, and Brother Cassian, who encouraged vocations to the Brotherhood. The active work of the Society ceased for the year when the Society assisted in a large body at the Solemn Annual Vesper Service. which was held in Saint Patrick's Cathedral. 75 . 2