Manhattan College - Manhattanite Yearbook (Riverdale, NY)

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Il Circrolo Dante AI1'gl1i01'i Mass. An essential difference between all Eastern Churches, including those not affiliated with Rome, and Roman Catholi- cism is that Eastern Christianity tended from the very beginning to be local and nationalistic, whereas Rome, functioning within the atmosphere, it not the reality, of the Roman Empire, took on the char- acteristics of individualism. Since 1054 many efforts have been made to achieve a union between Rome and the Eastern churches. These failed, except in the in- stances of those Eastern Churches which, while retaining their traditional rites, 22 returned to the central body of Westerii Christianity. In 1596, the bishops of the Ukrainians, Lithuanians and White Rus- sians, meeting at Brest-Litovsk deter- mined to reassociate themselves with Rome, to whose jurisdiction they had be- longed. For three hundred fifty years these groups have been our brothers in the Eaith. Unofncially organized in 1942, the Manhattan Committee gained impetence and finally was reorganized in 1945. The main purpose of the Eastern Rites Com- mittee is to acquaint the student, and in

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For the past several years the Irish Cultural Society has been responsible for the organization of the Manhattan unit in the annual St. Patrick's Day parade. This year the society, comprising about seventy members, proudly marched up F ifth Avenue led by its president john F. Sweeney and its vice president Gerald Fitzgerald. The society was addressed by Brother Alexander Joseph who spoke on 'Erie's Foreign Policy,' and by Brother Ambrose who spoke on 'The Wealtli of Irish Poetryf A dance under the auspices of the society was held early in the academic year and proved to be a great social and financial success. From all indications the year 1947 should prove an eventful one in the history of Manhattan's own Irish Cultural Society. IL CIRCOLO DANTE ALIGHIERI L Circolo Dante Alighieri is the of- ficial campus organization of stu- dents interested in the studyof Italian life, literature and culture. The society has for its purpose the enlightenment of its members in regard to 'fthe contribu- tion of arts and culture performed by the scholars of Italyf, Il Circolo became a member of the A.F.I.C. in 1936, and has grown into one of the most active units on the Manhattan campus. In spite of lack of membership during the war, the organization carried on and it is now definitely back on the road to regaining its former prominence. During the past year the work of the society was very interesting as well as stimulating to all involved. Brother A. Thomas lectured on Dante Alighieri's life and his great classic, La Divina Comediaf' In these talks he described Dante's visits to hell and how the author visualized it. The students of the group also took part in discussions on famous Italians. A prize was awarded for the best report, and it was won by Mario Miccu. Mario gave a vivid account on the life of Leonardo DaVinci. He spoke of his works and of his influence on engi- neering, anatomy, warfare and painting. Mario became the recipient of a hand- some tive record album of the second Concerto from Serge Rachmaninoff, with Stokowski and the Philadelphia Philharmonic orchestra. Another mem- ber, Michael Arzani gave a good talk on the influence of Italian writers in English literature. The presentation of an award established a precedent of all the organizations on the campus, and such prizes will continue in the future. The Society, under its president, Thomas Liccardi, has tried to revive student in- terest in bringing back Italian courses into the College in the fall. Il Circolo has been very active in the social limelight. Un Sunday, May 12, it helped to sponsor a gala Mother's Day dance at the school gymnasium. On March 9 the members attended the Pri- mavera dance at the Casa Italiana at Columbia University. Thus, true to its purpose, the Dante Society has carried on in giving to all interested students the benehts of Italian culture. THE COMMITTEE ON EASTERN RITES HERE are live parent groups in the Eastern Rites that the Roman Catholic Church recognizes, al- though they do not follow the I-atin

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l . T110 COIlHllI'ffC?C on .Ef1Sl'CI'l1 Rites fact all Catholics within its reach, with the organization and scope of the Eastern Rites. Under the supervision of Brother A. Thomas and the Chairmanship of Eugene Calure, the members, A. Mysiewicz, CT. Tateosian, VV. Shields, M. Weideii and J. W'alsh, have undertaken weekly in- formal discussions which have done much to foster the purpose ot the Committee. Every year the Committee attends the Animal Conference on Eastern Rites and Liturgies held at Fordham University, and the Eastern Mass at St. Patricl:'s 228 Cathedral. There have been Masses in the Melkite, Armenian, Maronite and Byzantine Rites. This year his Eminence, Francis Cardinal Spellman presided. A pamphlet was compiled and distributed by the Manhattan Committee at the Con- ference in April. Pope Pius XT recommended that Catholics of the Roman Rite, out of piety, occasionally receive Holy Communion in a Catholic Eastern Rite, either under both Species or one, according to the practice of that Rite.