Malden Catholic High School - Lance / Hi Way Yearbook (Malden, MA)

Page 9 text:

Small Zkings (jww. ■ The same group as seniors in 1950 As a result of the constant vigilance and care of the tiller the supple stem has now developed a sturdiness sufficient to bear proudly the buds of its inheritance as it withstands the encroachments of weeds, the pressure of the winds, and death-seeking droughts. Meanwhile the sophomore undergoes a parallel transformation. He be¬ comes the jubilant junior ready to rule the roost when the seniors depart. He now knows the spirit of Catholic High and is ready to burst into bloom. He is here to stay and can protect himself against scholastic blights. Finally the young plant bursts into blossoms — beautiful and fragile but of little economic value. It is only after the metamorphosis of the blossom into the fruit that the world appreciates its existence. In the same instance the junior blossoms into a senior, but he still needs that final year of polishing. At the end of the year the transformation is com¬ plete. He has now developed a poise and sturdiness of character that will make him important to the world.

Page 8 text:

Which featuresMy Manway, Each year some hundred young seedlings are transplanted to the rich soil of Malden Catholic. Entrance exams have proven that these seedlings can take root here and harmoniously grow into their elegant fullness. For all seedlings the first phase of growth is the hardest and these days are spent in taking root in order that they might thereby absorb water and their specific elements and also stand firm when the wind blows. In like manner the freshman endeavors to entrench himself in the classes of Catholic High in order that he might shape his life by absorbing the spirit of prayer, study and play. The second stage of growth in a plant finds the seedling no longer para¬ sitic on the stored food of its seed. From now on it lives and grows by its own photosynthesis. It is not strong but it is on its own and is growing. Likewise the sophomore begins to strike out on his own and develops a deeper knowledge and understanding of his environment. He now has a keener interest in the activities of the school and he becomes a doer. Georgie Belair, Johnny Downing, Jimmy Gaffey, Richie Jones, and Jimmy Long as eigth-graders in 1946.

Page 10 text:

We honor the 262nd Master of the Vineyard, Pope Pius XII At the half-way mark in our twentieth century the Catholic Church under the pontificate of Pope Pius XII celebrates its twenty-fourth Roman Jubilee. This Jubilee year is a year of special grace to those pil¬ grims who are able to visit Rome and pray at the designated holy places. But for those of us who are un¬ able to make the Roman Pilgrimage there is also grace to be gained by our leading holier lives and by our remembering the intentions of the Holy Father, viz.; prayer, penance, fidelity, conversions and peace. The idea of a Jubilee Year and its special indulgences goes back to Christmas Eve, 1299. It was at this time, after having thoughtfully investigated the pious customs of pilgrims journeying to Rome every hundred years that Pope Boniface VIII declared the first official Holy Year. Succeeding Popes had changed the number of years between Jubilees until Pope Paul II, in 1464, decreed that the Jubilee years should occur every twenty-five years. Minor changes did occur a few times since then but twenty-five years re¬ mained standard. The significance of a jubilee every quarter century may lie in the fact that faithful may more opportunely make at least one pilgrimage during their life span. The thrice-knocking on the door of St. Peter ' s Basilica originated with Alexander VI in 1499 and is symbolic of eternal salvation to all who desire it. The closing of the door on Christmas Eve, 1950, for another twenty-five years symbolizes that heaven is closed to those who died in grievous sin.