Georgian Court University - Courtier Yearbook (Lakewood, NJ)

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REVEREND HAROLD X. FOLSER, S.J. THE reception of new members into the Sodality is always an impressive ceremony, but it was made even more noteworthy this year by the presence of Reverend Harold X. Folser, S.J., Headmaster of the Brooklyn Preparatory School. In an inspiring sermon, Father Folser showed that a Sodality reception has a meaning, not only to ourselves, but to the entire world. Our personal sanctification is the greatest possible weapon that can be used against the forces of evil rampant in the world. Great deeds are ot no avail unless they are backed by the bulwark ot prayer to Christ and His Mother. Father Folser emphasized that we must become like Mary, it we wish peace for ourselves and the world. RIGHT REVEREND MONSIGNOR FULTON J. SHEEN OUR graduation ceremony was enhanced by the ever- welcome presence of Monsignor Fulton J. Sheen, whose farewell address is an integral part of commence- ment at the Court. In his inspiring oration he exhorted the graduates to make the force of Christian principles their main impetus in lite, and to bring the ideals of their Alma Mater into their lifework, whatever it may prove to be. Monsignor Sheen, as an eminent churchman, author, lecturer, and philosopher, is known throughout the world, and has always asserted a tremendous influence for good in these troubled times. I ii is I I . .. I I MR. JOHN J. O'CONNOR MR. JOHN J. O'CONNOR, a distinguished free-lance journalist, as well as a member of the Catholic News staff, set the keynote for Catholic Press Week with a lec- ture on the position ot the press in the world today. Catholic periodicals, stated Mr. O'Connor, need not only financial but intellectual support from the public. It is our duty to read, to consider carefully, to criticize constructively, and to contribute material, if we have the talent. Moreover, thousands of Christophers are a dire neces- sity in the secular press, if it is to retain a standard of truth and objectivity. Without them, our tree press will merely degenerate into a chaos of conflicting ideologies, the lecturer concluded. 145 MISS JOAN MORRIS MISS JOAN MORRIS, member of a new order, The Company of Saint Paul , is one of the foremost exponents of modern religious art. In her discussion of liturgical painting, sculpture, and architecture, the great problem of naturalism versus spirituality in church art was fully covered. Miss Morris explained that much religious decoration in our churches led to sentimental and shallow emotion rather than intellectual conviction and vital faith. In her opinion, the answer to the problem lies in symbolism, in use of interpretive line and color rather than slavish imi- tation of nature. The lecturer concluded by showing the students photographic slides of the modern trend in religious art.

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LEUT lillli MONSIGNOR EDWARD A. FREKING THE National Secretary of the Catholic Student's Mission Crusade, Monsignor Edward A. Freking, S.T.D., gave a calm, closely-reasoned view of the mission fields of the world today. Monsignor expressed the opinion that impassioned pleas for mission support accomplished less than actual presen- tation of the facts. Taking each country in turn, this Editor-in-Chief of the Shield explained how Christianity had been affected by the war, by Communism, by the economic situation, and by new ideologies. On the whole, the situation is not as bad as many believe, he stated. Knowledge of mission problems, and prayer and sacrifice for missionaries by those on the home front, can and will help carry Christ throughout the world. MONSIGNOR LESLIE V. BARNES RIGHT Reverend Monsignor Leslie V. Barnes, noted Catholic educator and wartime chaplain, conducted the annual retreat here at the Court. Monsignor is Chancellor of the Diocese of Lincoln, Nebraska, and is currently teaching at Catholic University. The retreat was inspiring through the spirit of prayer and deep recollection with which Monsignor's personal fervor filled each student. From him, these words became impressed more deeply on the heart of the girls: The world is not enough. The lesson of living one's entire life in God, and sharing with Him all its happiness and sorrow, became a goal for each one of us. Monsignor Barnes' influence will be felt at the Court for a long time to come. i4 DR. FRANK H. JOHNSON TO THE Courtiers whose interest in science is increasing in proportion to new inventions and discoveries, Dr. Frank H. Johnson brought a fascinating description of luminous bacteria. Dr. Johnson, who is an Associate Professor in the De- partment of Biology at Princeton University, has a national reputation for his studies of microscopic life. Luminous bacteria, Dr. Johnson explained, are equipped with apparatus for the emission of cold light. The man- made inventions which employ cold light were antedated by nature's own processes, even in these rudimentary creatures. The lecture in general was made fascinating by the frequent use of illustrations. DR. ROY J. DEFERRARI THE eminent scholar and man of letters, Dr. Roy J. Deferrari, Secretary General of Catholic University, discussed the life and literary contributions of Saint Augustine. As an authority on the Patristic Period, Dr. Deferrari delineated the background of the age. Then as now, men were confused and groping toward the light of truth. Augustine holds that light aloft for all men through the centuries. Saint Augustine, the author and editor showed in his masterly exposition, was a true saint, a completely human person, and a literary genius. The ,latter quality is best exemplified by his major works, The Confessions and City of God .

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Llllll' lillli THE REVEREND THOMAS F. STACK OUR Liturgy Day Program was highlighted by the address of Rev. Thomas F. Stack, Professor of English and Italian at St. Thomas Seminary, and a nationally prominent leader in the Liturgical Movement and in Catholic Action. Father Stack clarified the relationship of the Liturgy to our ordinary life, using as his theme the motto of Pius X, Restoring all things in Christ. He emphasized the fact that the primary and indispensable source of true Christian spirit is participation in the official worship of the Church. The Liturgical practices for homes and work- shops, the Sacraments and Sacramentals, as well as the Heart of the Liturgy, the Mass, were discussed. I BARON ESS LILY DOBLHOFF THE Baroness Lily Doblhoff, who was a diplomatic cor- respondent throughout the tense years preceding and during the war, knows intimately the problems, emotions, and hopes of Europe. In a lecture at the Court, she described the cultural revival of the continent. There is something in humanity that no trouble can efface, the Baroness explained, and that is the hope for a happier future. The despairing philosophy of the existentialists and their like is now being effectively op- posed by the dynamic growth of Christian thought in European art, literature, and life. America has been a refreshing and vivifying influence on the old world through its gaiety, optimism, and innate kindliness. MISS MARY GAVER THE importance of the librarian in present-day society was discussed by a highly qualified observer, Miss Mary Gaver, head of the Department of Library Science at Trenton State Teacher's College. Miss Gaver stated that librarianship, as a profession, has a twofold appeal. First, it is a service vocation, giving one an opportunity to bring happiness to one's com- munity. Secondly, the positions available are varied enough that every individual difference and preference may be gratified. To be a good librarian, Miss Gaver stressed, one must have a consuming interest in other people, as well as in books and ideas. Determination to do a hard task well is the final essential qualification in this seriously understaffed field. MISS BERTHA LAWRENCE MISS BERTHA LAWRENCE, dean of Instruction at Trenton State Teacher's College, addressed the pros- pective educators at Georgian Court on the ideals and the importance of the teaching profession. Making her own love of her work evident, Miss Lawrence inspired her audience with the thought that the teachers of America build the future of America. Through the hands of unknown teachers must pass the geniuses of the next generation, as well as the vast crowds of average citizens who make the world what it is. There is no higher vocation, Miss Lawrence insisted, than to hold the lamp high so the world's children may see, and climb on to a better world than their parents have yet reached.