Our Lady of the Angels Academy - Angelican Yearbook (Enfield, CT)

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CLASS HISTORY A N G E L I C A N A NEW WORLD It was only four short years ago that our class embarked on its career of suspense . . . anticipation . . . enthusiasm ... as Freshies at Our Lady of the Angels Academy. In September 1944, alterations were being made at the Academy; the top floor of the Convent infirmary, therefore, w ' as our living quarters. The convent auditorium and library and the infirmary office were our temporary classrooms. We truly felt like Half-Nuns for two months. We lived, slept, ate, and studied in the Convent. What adventure! It certainly was a New World’’ to our youthful curiosity. November 21 brought us new expectation. We were moving to the Academy! A new birth, a new freedom to us, bewildered Freshies! Necessity forced us to apply ourselves whole-heartedly to the newly assigned duties and to adapt ourselves to the new environment. (We surely missed the convent atmosphere.) Religion, World History, Polish, Algebra, English and Latin kept us busy. Algebra and Latin, however, proved to be most troublesome. Algebra brought us to the realization that such complications as simultaneous equations required seriousness and precision of mind. Laborious hours were spent with Latin in learning its five declensions and four conjugations. We did find time, however, to relate to each other our new experiences and discoveries in the New ' World” (the Academy). Before long the fact dawned upon us that the year was at an end, leaving behind pleasant memories. PROGRESS At the beginning of our sophomore year, (we certainly did suffer more), we found ourselves facing new problems. We were then no longer six but four. Two students were overpowered by loneliness and returned home. Daily Caesar’s battles were fought precisely at one o’clock by four students. The progress was at times very slow and victory was questionable, but somehow with God’s grace we managed to complete the course that year. Though we were sophomores, circumstances were I 1 • '

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SYMBOLISM OF THE SEAL OF OUR LADY OF THE ANGELS ACADEMY The seal is circular in form, one and three-quarters inches in diameter, with three charges inscribed on an heraldic shield. The whole seal is blazoned or” because gold has special significance referring to Christ, the Light of the w ' orld. The upper section of the escutcheon, the dexter chief, which is always considered the place of honor on a shield, depicts the Immaculate Heart of Mary, the emblem of the Community of the Felician Sisters, O. S. F. In natural symbolism, the heart is the center of activity, the seat of life and strength. Displayed on this shi eld, the Heart typifies angelic purity, the preservation of which should be the constant subject of the students’ prayer and vigilance; in general, it stands for the moral education, the very core and foundation upon which all education for the true, the good, and the beautiful must be founded. The choice of the angel as a charge is suggested by the name of the school, Our Lady of the Angels. It occupies the sinister flank of the shield. The dexter wing of the angel extends horizontally and the sinister wing is raised vertically. This symbolizes the necessity of directing the earthly heavenward; the unification of labor with prayer. Furthermore, in general symbolism the angel typifies a good man — What is man that thou art mindful of him?. . . Thou hast made him a little less than the angels.” (Ps. 8:5, 6) Sound physical health provides greater opportunity and potentiality for sound mental health. It is this animus sanus in corpore sano” that the angel represents on this shield. Physical education is an important phase of complete education. The bearing marshaled in the base of the shield is an open book, a symbol of learning. On this shield it represents intellectual education which is specifically the enlightenment, guiding and training of the faculty of thought. The motto, Omnia Per Cor Mariae”, starts at the dexter flank cuts through the fess, or the heart point of the shield, and ends in the sinister chief canton. It is inscribed in a crescent-shaped band which is a peculiar symbol of the Blessed Mother referring to the figure of the moon in Apocalypse XII, 1: A great sign appeared in heaven: A woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.” The raison d’etre” of the motto becomes immediately obvious. All — prayer, work, and play; guidance, direction, instruction and discipline are undertaken for the greater glory of God through the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

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such that we were not full-fledged Angelites. We did not realize the fact until the memorable Initiation Day. What a surprise! We had passed the test! ! ! Other surprises were the Hallowe’en Party and Academy Uniforms. We were progressing! All in all, the year passed quickly and joyfully. The mischievous look in our eyes was no longer seen. We were soon to be Juniors . . . A STEP HIGHER The time had come. We now considered ourselves upperclassmen. Two day students enrolled in our ranks. Our original number six” returned. Books kept us exceptionally busy, especially French with its irregular verbs. Toward the end of the first term the first issue of our schoolpaper, The Angelite”, was published. Faithfully every Monday afternoon, the students found themselves in the presence of our music teacher, M. Beauregard. The days swiftly passed with the thought ever before us that only one year re¬ mained. . . . THE GOAL REACHED We are Seniors! From the very beginning of our senior year thoughts of gradua¬ tion and the future spurred us on to work harder. Chemistry experiments and Solid Geometry problems tested our perseverance but nevertheless, we enjoyed both mathematical sciences. An Open House during Education Week added to our experiences and gave an insight into our teaching career. N E 1 Today, as we push back the dial of time, it seems as though it were only yesterday that we entered the portals of our dear ALMA MATER”. Dear and Honorable Faculty, as we take our final step at our Alma Mater, we wish to express our profound gratitude, deep appreciation and unlimited thanks for spurring us to honor and respect ALL that leads to God, Christ our King. 9 4 8 ! ' i BELOVED ALMA MATER, FAREWELL.