St Anthony of Padua High School - Siquaeris Yearbook (Watkins Glen, NY)

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INTRODUCTION In the year 1949, a picturesque building standing high on the hillside adjacent to the famous “Little Grand Canyon of the East” was converted into a preparatory school for boys. The school was officially named as St. Anthony of Padua Minor Seminary and Preparatory School. It was also in 1949 that St. Anthony of Padua was formally declared a Doctor of the Church. Four years later, the school published its first yearbook. The name appearing on the cover is actually a combination of the first two words of a famous Latin hymn sung for centuries in honor of St. Anthony. Si quaeris — If you seek. It is for this reason, that the Class of 1958 deemed it appropriate to choose St. Anthony for the theme of this book.

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St. Anthony, a young doctor of Canon Law and a Canon Regular in the Augustinian Order, was an excellent example of scholarly develop- ment. His learned opinions received acclaim and respect not only in his native land, but also in the neighboring countries. Through his vast fund of theological knowledge, deep mysticism, and eloquent oratory, myriad souls were brought to the fold of the Divine Shepherd. But under- lying this scholarly spirit was one of humility and personal sanctity. To better follow the footsteps of Our Saviour, Anthony joined the Franciscan Order and subjected himself to the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. While in the Order, his one desire was to meet his ideal, the Seraphic Father, St. Francis. One day at Portiuncula, his wish was fulfilled, at least from a distance. With this, Anthony returned to his new life of humility with added fervor and zeal. Despite his scholarly background, no task was too menial for him. Begging for alms was not beneath his dignity. Even the most destitute of unlearned men became an intimate part of the life of this twelfth century scholar. Despite his fame and vast following, he still remained the Humble Friar.