Seattle University - Aegis Yearbook (Seattle, WA)

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SKATTLK COLLKGK ANXUAL facts and that when their reason had bee.', appealed to they still denied the possibility of miracles. It is not the understanding which is at fault, but the will, and that the wish to believe is a mere vcllcity. Any rational creature must admit that cures of the character as have been obtained at the Grotto of Lourdes, can only secure a satisfied mind by the admittance of the miraculous. Infidelity has at all times devised means to explain away these wonderful facts. The ancient Jews asserted that Jesus was the agent of Beelzebub, others attributed his power to magic. But some of our modern infidels beat the record ; they contend that the Gospel miracles can be explained by hypnotism. Truly, our age is an age of enlightenment and progress! If there is a nation that should appreciate the blessings of peace, in view of the struggle which is tearing asunder the countries of Europe, it is our own America. The law of fraternity and brotherhood makes us long for the era of universal peace among nations. We had built a palace at The Hague and when the statesmen came forth from its halls people were made to believe that the barrier that had divided nation against nation, tribe against tribe, had been broken down. And yet one of the most appalling and calamitous wars is devastating Europe. I suppose we are looking forward to the day when the palace of peace shall open its doors once more to the peace promoters. The princes of earth will send their representatives to discuss means through which wars shall cease from the face of the earth. But let us hope that the voice of the vicar of the Prince of Peace shall not be hushed in this future assembly as it has has been heretofore. American Literature! The title has evoked some bitter criticism from English writers. They will allow us one or two world figures but will not concede that out contribution of literary men is sufficient enough 11 to aliow the term American Literature. It would be absurd indeed to compare the long centuries of glorious English literature against our few short years. Still we have every reason to be proud that America has produced men whose work or fame has penetrated almost all civilized lands. We have plenty of literature that is American, not only in fiction but in other fields of letters as well. Many of the books written in America by Americans have their rightful claims as literature, not so much because they express thoughts, manner and action American, but they possess the style that places every literary production in the field of literature. » The forthcoming celebration of the sixth centenary of Dante recalls to mind the immortal poet whose songs were so lofty that they have merited to be called divine by some. One can see through his works that the poet nurtured his soul on the most sublime and purest sentiments of Catholic faith, of humanity and of justice. His treatment of some of the popes in his Inferno is no argument to show that Dante was a rebel and a traitor to the Church. He was a Ghibelline and hated the Guelphs, whose chief supporters were Popes Boniface VIII and Clement V. But Dante, in his attacks on these and other popes, always distinguished the office from the man. and as our present reigning Pontiff. Benedict XV. says. “If distracted by the pains and suffering of exile, and impelled by political reasons, he sometimes appears to swerve from equity in his judgments, yet he never went astray from the truth of Catholic doctrine.” It is fit that we should celebrate the memory of the illustrious poet in a manner which shall be becoming the Christian name and worthy of the immortal singer. In reviewing the events of the college year, there is one that rivets our attention very forcibly,' namely, the banquet given on the

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10 T II K P A L E S T P A invite the Alumni of the College to participate in our entertainment. This traditional holiday is looked forward to by the students and alumni of those institutions as a fit occasion to form a closer bond of union between themselves and the faculty. Judging from the enthusiasm manifested by the boys of Seattle 1. Selections 2. Introductory Remarks - 3. Song with Words - - - 4. Recitation ----- 5. Canary Quartette - 6. Tlie All Star Trio from First High 7. “Vacation Army” - 8. “'I'lie Class’ Song 9. Greetings - 10 Selections ----- College we have reason to believe that they will keep up this day in years to come, and will be glad to return to the Seattle College celebration for the purpose of renewing the old spirit of their college life. The following is the program of the entertainment : College Orchestra - Wm. Mayer, Chairman Third High Year Lester Sc horn Monsieur Bartholet, Director - - McIver Lawrence Keating | Vance Moriarty The Sophomore Quintette Senior and Junior Classes John Dougherty College Orchestra Merry Christmas to All The Passing of Pius X recalls to mind the persecuted figure of the Master. Today the hard hearts of the impious instinctively attest the unique character of Christ and of His proxy. 'The world, that so often lies about the Holy Father, in the expression of its feeling at his death, despite itself, makes its heart contradict its tongue, and like the devils in the narrative of exorcism, gives testimony unwittingly but all the more strongly to the divine character of the Papacy. 'The death of Pius X recalls the death of the Master. The Master died broken hearted, as proved by the pericardium that the centurion’s lance pierced. The martyr of tin Vatican hill, midst the roar of maddening Europe thundering in his ears, gave out his soul in grief that finally broke the gentle heart that had been full of the tenderer feelings for human kind. Far from the din of conflict the vicar of the Prince of Peac has fallen with sweet blessings on his lips for foe as well as for friend. The work of Pius is done. He has laid down his triple crown. The preacher’s voice, the monarch’s command and the mighty legislator’s word arc mute, but his soul is royal in a land beyond earth’s sceptre. •» 'Those who find it difficult to believe in the miraculous and who pretend, like Renan and his followers of modern unbelief, that we can have the assurance of the accomplishment of such an event as is styled a “miracle,” on!. when it occurs in the open public, such as in an amphitheatre, where the astounding facts of such unexplainable character may be witnessed by the most efficient and eminent chemist, physicist or physician, those people, I say, would perhaps find a solution to their difficulty if they betook themselves to the little town of Lourdes in France. 'There is the sacred place whither pilgrims from all parts of the globe have journeyed, affected with diseases pronounced incurable by the medical world and have returned home in perfect health. And yet we know that such unbelievers have witnessed these miraculous

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12 T II K P A L K S T I{ A eve of March 11th, under the auspices of the Fourth Year High. That it was an original idea, all readily grant, for the class had no precedent to follow so far, at least, as college tradition can carry us. To say it was a success would he to underestimate it. Suffice it to say that whatever could be desired on such an occasion, even were they attempting to satisfy the whims of the most fastidious, would not have been found wanting. Nor did their generosity confine itself to classmates only. Formal invitations were sent to the faculty and former professors. From all came words of the highest praise for the spirit of union and loyalty that piompted them in setting the example. Let us also hope that a precedent so deserving of the highest commendation may be imitated by the other classes, thus forming in their college life a bond of si nee rest friendship with one another and their Alma Mater, that may only increase as years go on. Finally, the editor wishes to thank all those who have assisted the staff in the preparation of the Annual. We have to thank our friends who have kindly helped by their words of encouragement to keep up the undertaking. Thanks arc also due to the three upper classes, whose contributions have made it possible to bring out this number. We regret that we are unable to print this year the promised articles by some of the other classes. Let us hope that they will come in time for the next issue. John- F. Dougherty, 15.