Mount St Joseph Academy - Yearbook (Brighton, MA)

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S l .flssistanl Edilor-CA'1'1fmR1xr: Mc1DuR1x1o'11' upon the non-Catholics, men will hght for religiong argue for itg write for it: even die for it, do anything but live for itg outsiders are always inclined to judge the Church by her bad members, and these bad members are the cause, in very many cases, why non-Catholics, on the brink of coming into the Church, are repelled by the example of these rene- gades, and are returned once again to the sea of doubt. The leakage during the past decades must not be minimized. True it has de- creased, but even a few are still far too many for the effect they can produce. The unwelcome influence of rationalism and materialism, the declining spiritual values following the last Mfar, the social insecurity of the masses, their floundering about for some safe harbor, their be- wilderment, the promising and satanic propaganda of Communism and Na- tional Socialism greatly augmented the number of renegades. Impartial study and zeal for the cause of God may lead men out of Protestantism, but never out of Catholicismg out of falsity, but never -u. out of truth. The failure of the promises made by these radical groups has caused the influx of many to the Church, the tyranny, hatred, and partiality shown in other lands have caused an ardent faith to bloom in other hearts. Since the death of the greatest convert from Anglicanisin, Cardinal Newman, more than goo Protestant clergymen re turned in England alone to the Mother Church and became members of her clergy, and in the world no less than 3,000 Protestant clergymen resigned their pastorates and became Catholic laymen. Among those who withdrew from the Anglican clergy to become Catholic priests is the Reverend Father Paul, the founder of the Franciscan friars of the Atonement, and among women who left the Anglican cloister to become as- sociated with Religious life is Sister Marianna, foundress with Father Paul, of the Franciscan Sisters at Graymoor. Both of these were Anglican religious, and their former religion did not meet the standards required by some of their parishioners, and the questions of those humble people seeking truth aided their instructors in finding it also. One of the most startling conversions in the last decade has been that of Heywood Broun, at one time a Communist suspect. A visit to the shrine of Our Lady of Guadaloupe in Mexico and the influence of Msgr. Sheen are responsible for the conversion of this man. He was envied by many of his fellow columnists in his new found peace and happiness of spirit, soul, and mind. The most Reverend Duane G. Hunt, bishop of Salt Lake City, a former Methodist, was one of twelve converts elevated to the Episcopal dignity in the United States. Joyce Kilmer's frequently expressed sentiment was I like to feel that I have always been a Catholic. This most The Mount

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mandments. They will know that although some creeds, some doctrines, some customs change, human nature is fundamentally the same, cherishing rights and privileges as old as the human race. Thus they can act in accordance with their just rights and corresponding duties. Another great function of our Catholic Press is to break down the prejudice and bigotry of those not of the Faith, by making them more fully appreciate the depth, beauty, and wisdom of God's holy Church. It has won from them recogni- tion of the scholarship of Catholic stu- dents in all fields. Thus, in making in- roads into the minds and hearts of these outsiders, the Catholic Press engages in the apostolic work and conversions. Until all the sheep are gathered into one fold under the leadership of the Pastor of Souls, until all become members of the body of Christ, the Catholic Press will continue its noble work. Its task is tremendous, its scope is limited only by the horizons of place and time. It has succeeded in the past, it is flourishing in the present, it will be vigorous in the future with your help-and so-God bless our Press! HELENA Ckowu-iv, '4o. Lead Kindly Light Q6 F WE could agree to be atheists, we could all live peaceably together as Christians. Peace at the price of truth, peace, and still seeing a fellow-being ignorant of the existence of the Son of Man, peace, while depriving a non- believer of the gift of faith, peace, and more mortals rebelling against, arguing against, even denying that there is such a person as the God-Man, peace, and His command being unfulnlled. All who still retain a sense of attainment realize more and more that our spiritual life cannot be built on the quicksand of contradictory human opinion but must stand firm on the marble of stable dog- 81 mas. Any spiritual structure has a pre- destined downfall if it lacks the rock foundation of basic truth. Only one Religion, one church, one spiritual body can offer sound doctrines, doctrines that have and will withstand the tests of all centuries, persecutions and even govern- mental extinction, but still the rock of Peter stands and will continue to stand, a staunch defender of all that is good and just, striving for an everlasting peace, founded on the Brotherhood of Man, on the principles of Social justice, and in the teachings of the Eternal Founder. Among the body of the Church Mili- tant are numbered souls that late in life have found the true faith, souls that were born into the faith, but later in life were numbered with the outstanding de- fenders, clergy, martyrs and saints of their Religion. The term f'convert is generally ap- plied to those who later in life have changed their religion, but in a sense, all Catholics are converts, for no one is born a Catholic although he may be born of Catholic parents with a Catholic heri- tage and environment, he is born on the threshold of the Church but he himself must foster his faith, live up to his baptismal vows, and guard the precious heritage. A conversion is more than an intel- lectual sequence, it is primarily and fundamentally the work of the grace of God, which no mortal can fathom, much less describe. In a conversion, there are entailed great personal sacrifices, prolonged mental sufferings, social ostracism, and sometimes the actual loss of livelihood. These obstacles are a stumbling block to a prospective convert. Another great hindrance is the bad example of luke- warm and renegade Catholics. The effect of these Catholics is startling lim t 1 ff I 1940 ,. fm m-a

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noted, loved, and remembered of war poets entered the Church in 1913, with his wife. In faith one may find, he said, that purity and strength which are the guarantees of immortality. The Reverend Robert H. Lord, Ph.D., former Harvard professor, who did grad- uate work in renowned foreign univer- sities, declared that he knew nothing until he became a member of the Church. All his work and research led him to the Altar of Christ. Good example is the the basis for many conversions, the good example of a per- son living his faith will lead another into the faith. The good example of young men, football players from the University of Notre Dame, led their famed coach, Knute Rockne, into the fold. Every morning preceding a game, the members of the team went out of their hotel in the early morning hours and assisted at Mass for the success of their tryst that day. This example, given by these players to their coach, was the self-admitted reason for his conversion. John Farrow, the movie scenario writer, and author of Damien, Nm Leper, is a well-known recent convertg the example of his Catholic actress wife led him, exultant, into the Church. He is a staunch and stalwart exemplifier of Catholic Action in Hollywood life, his writings have shown to the reading public, the joy and truth he had found, as he brought to life, in print, Damien. In the heart of Christ these men and women have found a new peace, new meaning, and a new outlook on our earthly existence and eternal destiny. They appreciate, guard, and nourish their new Religion, but, do we, we who were born into a Catholic environment? In too many cases, those born into the Church are apt to neglect, and not duly esteem the full value of their faith until it is too late. These Converts set the example, sometimes, to Catholics of long standing, but this should not be so: it is we who should give the good example of living Catholicity. Since their spiritual re-birth, they have become actual partici- pants in the Mystical Body of Christ. Thus, in a partial way, is the Redeemer's command fulfilled, Going therefore, teach ye all nations. -CATHERINE McDi2RMorr, '40, l Q i Q 't 82 , lil ff if 4 i ,554 x l l . .-...........-.-.1940 , . Uff lil Fl