Mount St Joseph Academy - Yearbook (Brighton, MA)

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unfortunate child who must look back on his childhood to regret the lack of Christian atmosphere in his home, just as it is the fortunate child who can recall his early years, spent in a family circle where inspiration was freely given to others because of the charity and peace in their hearts. For, in reality, the H10St extensive and fertile field of Catholic Action today lies not in industry, not in politics, nor even in the schoolroom but in the homeHin renovating the Christian spirit in domestic society. This is the area to be cultivated, this is the state to be won, before Catholic Action can set the world ablaze. Then after creating a lrl1C Christian spirit in the family each individual member must proceed to the outside field of Catholic Action, the liturgy of the Church. Doubtless, the firmest founda- tion of Catholic Action lies in the liturgy. This communal worship of God is the only procedure which fully inspires the love of Christ, which entirely prompts that much sought after feeling of Divine Companionship. lt is in the liturgy alone, that the true basis of Christian solidarity and union with the Mystical Body of Christ is achieved. And as one of the basic principles of Catholic Action is the consciousness that we are all mem- bers of Christfs Mystical Body. Catholic Action will be successful in its efforts only in proportion as the liturgy is grasped and lived by its promoters. The sacred ceremonies, the holy sacri- fice of the Mass, the sacraments, and the sacramentals are all part of the liturgy. Each of them in some way acquaints the ordinary Catholic with the inhnite resources of the Church. All of them aid the average Catholic to draw life's union with Christls Body from this public worship. They aid every Catholic person in acquiring a certain spirit, one which has been adopted as a fundamental attitude towards Christian life which adds new and richer spiritual color to every angle of life. Hence, these rituals of the Church which make up liturgical worship are unquestionably the life- bestowing, life-preserving operations of the Church. They do not stop at im- pressing the individual with the thought that his body is a Temple of the Holy Ghost, but they continue and expose the temporal frivolities of the world. If the faces of women are, thanks to the motion picture proprietor, the best known fans in the world, the faces of many Catholic women and girls Illtlst also become as well known as that of Mary Immaculate and the Little Flower of Jesus. If women have proved that they can do brilliant things in science and business, they must be given a chance to prove they can do even more brilliant things for Christ and His beloved souls. Certainly the Holy Father was think- ing largely of young women when he stressed his program for Catholic Action. Surely, the age that is turning the newly liberated women with a dizzy sweep into positions of the national and interna- tional importance is not going to be overlooked by the Pope. In the family whether they be mothers or daughters, the model for the home dwells in their actions. In social life and in business their constant good ex- ample is the initial sign of the progress of Catholic Action. Their attendance at Church and their participation in its sacred rituals and ceremonies will attract their weaker fellow-beings into preparing in themselves Temples of the Holy Spirit. For truly, it is when Catholic woman- hood has been taught to appreciate the privilege of offering Mass with the priest, and when it has been given the far-flung almost revolutionary vision of the Mysti- cal Body of Christ that Catholic Action will no longer be a mere adornment of life, but will be its very core, heart, and essence. Fellow classmates, we are being called to this enlistment! The Church is beckoning us to engage actively in the fighting of the good fight. Mfe can and must do sol We must show our zeal for the good, inspiring others by our high Christian standards. Then when in our individual lives, and in the life of the family, we edify our companions by con- stant, exemplary conduct, we shall have answered, and answered wholeheartedly the Call to Catholic Action. Doius -joHNsoN, '4o. f77l ff W l I 1940 ll fv

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CN Y r ...-- ..-. Valetlietor IYllfI'!ffI'fUI'fIlII-DORIS jonssox Omnia In Christo QQ EEK ye first the Kingdom of Cod. This command, echoing down through the centuries, now grows more and still more urgent. For, the time has come when the Church more than ever before is being threatened in Her great mission of winning men to tl1e imitation of Christ! Because of the enticements of pagan life, it is becoming increasingly diH'icult for Her to save Her wayward children from the snares of irreligion and to snatch them from the nets of moral laxity. Her Bishops, priests and religious can no longer stretch their holy hands to grasp these souls. The pagan mode of life is too prevalent! The attractions of the world are too magnetic! Thus, it is no great wonder, that the next move depends upon the layman's co- operation in the program of Catholic Action. Upon their shoulders. dwells the burden of renewing interest in Christianity! They will be the stars in this modern religious drama. effectively titled, 'fCatholic Action. Now the question arises, XVhat is Catholic Action? The late Vicar of Christ, Pius XI, defined it with remark- able clearness: lt is the participation of the laitv in the Apostolate of the 1 Hierarchy, that is. in the work of the Bishops. Then as it is a world embrac- ing program, encircling every Catholic within its sphere, its scope is, of neces- sity, tl1e Kingdom of God. Thus, the work of the Hierarchy consists chiefly in bringing Christ's Kingdom into the hearts of men, into their actions, and into their institutions. Individual com- bat for salvation, therefore, is not suf- ficient to engage in Catholic Action. To the greatest of all charities, that of look- ing after their neighbor's welfare, the laity must pass! By a path of exemplary conduct and lofty principles, the in- dividual Catholic may bring salvation to otl1ers. lt has been said that Charity begins at home, and indeed so should the Charity of Catholic Action! Love of neighbor certainly implies love of family! Love of neighbor surely in no way ex- cludes love of father. mother, brother, or sister. Thus it is that there must be Catholic Action in the home. So it is that the best contribution to the cause of Catholic Action is to live in charity and love toward all members of the family group. Home life is based on the love of Christ: this love motivates it, this love fosters it, and this love guides it! In fact, without the charity which is of Cod, family relationship and harmony could not exist! XX'ithout doubt, the first family to comprehend fully Catholic Action and its relation to the home was the Family of Nazareth. Possessing few worldly goods, and dwelling amid im- poverished circumstances, they were, nevertheless, millionaires inasmuch as they had love of Cod and love of one another in their breasts. It is they who set the standard for all Christian families. To them the heads of families must look for inspiration! XVith them lies the stern duty of fostering Christian virtue. The duty of parents as defined by Catholic Action is clear! Children from their earliest years should be taught the absolute necessity of adoring God. ln their innocent hearts should be instilled absolute obedience to and love for Christ. the Head of their House. It is indeed an he Mount

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Salutatory Sllfllfd1f0TfII7'l-eS'l'l'II.I.K Run tck Ladies in Waiting EYOND yon veil of clouds in heaven- ly realms, sweetly and softly organ- like tones resound, while crystal, silvery bells chime to the hymn Blessed art thou, O Virgin pure ! On a magnificent throne exalted over all angelic choirs and every rank of saints, Mary, Gods mother and ours, is seated at the right of her Divine Son. Midst the dazzling splendor of heaven she reigns, high heaven's Queen and Queen of Earth. In one ac- cord angelic choirs fill the celestial court with their sweet melodies-tokens of praise ring through the sky in honor of the Queen of Angels and of men. Close to the resplendent throne fair virgins stand awaiting a single nod from their own Itlost gracious Queen. About her, too, staunch, loyal mothers pause ever ready to fulfill the least command of her who was their ideal when on earth. Choice followers has she and not in heaven alone. for far below in the dim-lit' corridors of the earth are others who are dear to her, loving children who are sincerely bent on sanctifying themselves and zealous to save and sanctify their .- 5 rm neighbor-these are Marys faithful so- dalists-the Queen's Ladies in Wlaiting. They are Mary's privileged ones called to serve continually on the exchange be- tween heaven and earth by bringing God down to men by their prayers, and by raising men up to God by their virtuous example. Far back through the centuries the origin of these courtly attendants can be traced, to the humble surroundings of a sixteenth century Roman classroom. There, a young Jesuit first instilled in the hearts of his students an ardent love and hlial devotion for the Virgin Mother. In them were inculcated the simple principles, now the basic structure of all sodalities: Be perfect unto Mary Love Cod and help thy neighbor. Mary, anxious to increase her courtly attendants, received these aspirants of earth who hoped to render themselves worthy of their heavenly Queen and thus was inaugurated a sodality which eventu- ally was to become a world force. Little would one imagine that from such a humble beginning would develop a devotional system whose spirit was to penetrate the elaborate palaces of kings as well as the meager dwellings of the poor, and along the Road of Time was destined to impart life, sweetness, and hope to all its members. Yet-so it was to be, for Mary smiled tenderly upon her faithful children and through her exquisite lingers slipped countless bless- ings, and strength with which to carry on and uphold the ideals for which they had pledged themselves to strive. Some of this special strength alightecl upon Saint Peter Canisius, who with all the zeal of a Chosen Servant of God established sodalities which eventually became nurseries of intellectual leaders, priests, and simple citizens ever prepared to wage battle for Catholicitzy and repel the ruses of heresy. After the French Revolution, Canon VVilliam Ioseph Chaminade, likewise organized sodalities to revivify Catholic Life and draw all to Christ through Mary. e Mount