St Agnes High School - Agnita Yearbook (West Chester, PA)

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THE AGNITA Yes, Mary fills the hearts of her children with a holy joy, a joy that makes light the heavy and sweet the bitter. We need her now. We need Mary to help us through the appalling turmoil of world affairs. We, Catholics, know that Mary will help us because she herself told us that she would. In 1917, Our Blessed Mother appeared to three small Portuguese children and urged that her Rosary be said in order that the war might end. She revealed that there would be another war as well as famine and persecution if sin did not cease. She foretold peace on condition that the people do penance and be consecrated to her Immaculate Heart. This is exactly what we are striving for—the avoidance of sin and recourse to prayer. Surrounded by the materialism and secu- larism of the world, we shall have a difficult battle, but with the help of Mary, our Mother in Heaven, we are certain of success. Just as she has helped others in their struggle against their adver- saries, so also will she help us war against all types of modern opposition. Without the least shadow of a doubt, we realize that this proclamation of the Assumption came at a most fitting time. Surely, with such emphasis placed so publicly on the glory and power of Mary, greater attention will be paid to her. Each day more and more people will pray to her. Our Blessed Lady will most assuredly hear the heartfelt and persevering prayers coming from millions of Catholics throughout the world. Perhaps, even we of this generation may live to see the world consecrated to Mary’s Immaculate Heart. Whether we live to see this glorious triumph or not remains to be seen, but when it does come to pass, we may be sure of a lasting peace among nations. 0 Mary, hasten that day! JUST JOSEPH When Joseph walked the earth And knocked on someone’s door. He’d answer, “Just Joseph,” For he was very poor. When Joseph went to Heaven And knocked on Heaven’s door. Our Lord said, “Just Joseph,” But really meant much more. Francis W. Quin II

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THE AGNITA WHY NOW? By Elizabeth A. Souders In 1950, was declared a dogma of faith by Pope Pius XII. For years, Catholics all over the world have persistently implored that this honor be bestowed on our Blessed Lady. Never was time more ripe for such an occasion. Now, as never since the early persecutions, the Church is suffering dreadful opposition. Of course, the Church is indestructible; the “gates of hell” cannot prevail against it. We have God’s word for this. The individual member of the Church, however, is not so certain of retaining his faith until the end. Therefore, each one of us must earnestly and perseveringly use the sacraments and prayer to keep ourselves safe. Of these means, prayer is the most common—we can pray at any time, day or night, but we cannot receive the sacra- ments at any time. Now, at this very moment, millions of people are praying for world peace. Constantly, all over the world, this prayer of petition is rising to Heaven. I low helpful it would be if the Mother of Christ would carry these prayers to her Son! What son can deny his mother anything? Not one! Indeed, the Perfect Son would not refuse to listen to the pleadings of His Mother. Besides, He gave miraculous proof of His respect for the wishes of His Mother. At the marriage feast of Cana her implied request, in the words: “They have no wine,” was heeded, although the time for Christ’s miracles had not yet come. History is rich in recordings of favors that have been granted and prayers that have been answered through Mary’s intercession. Was it not at the decisive battle of Lepanto, after long continued and most fervent prayers to Our Mother, under the title, “Our Lady Help of Christians,” that her intercession was most clearly shown? Did not St. Charles Borromeo, during his fight against heresy say, “I rely almost entirely upon the Rosary for the conver- sion and sanctification of my people”? Our Lady aided him in his struggle. Often during our own life, we desire things which we think might be impossible to receive, yet, having devotion to Our Blessed Mother, we pray to her, and many times our prayers are answered. That we may grow strong in devotion to Mary, let us recall that it was Christ Himself who encouraged us to seek her aid. On that most dreadful day of recorded time, when offering Himself on the Cross for the sins of man, He did more—out of the generosity of His Divine Heart, He gave us His own Mother. From that mo- ment, Mary has been our Mother, our Mediatrix, our Source of strength, courage, and confidence. So remarkable are the favors that nave been granted through Mary’s intercession and so evident have been the peace and happiness brought about through her help that Christians long since have hailed her as “Cause of Our Joy.” 10

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THE AGN[ITA AT THE DAY’S END Richard Dixon, Charles Kopanski, Robert Waldron, Francis IIanley, Milburne Williams, Judith Hart, Shirley Kavanagh, and Mary Patton register, by their expressions, the satisfaction of having completed another day’s duties. 12