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

Page 7 text:

The centennial observance of the definition and declaration of the Dogma of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary has inspired the imaginations of poets and has rekindled the fervor of devotion in the hearts and souls of her children. This salutory devotion has taken many forms; amongst these, the completion of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception Basilica in the National Capitol has become the foremost objective, has assumed paramount importance in the minds of all of Her faithful children, for it is a token of their esteem as well as a symbol and criterion of their love and devotion. The numerous obstacles and difficulties encountered in the erection of this magnificent structure are truly reminiscent of the graduates’ class motto: '•Ad astra per aspera” (to the stars by hard ways). These hindrances also find an echo, a true counterpart in the very life of the Blessed Virgin, the Mother of God. The Seven Dolors afford superabundant proof of her travail to become the co-redemptrix and a real mother of all the children of Eve. The climax was reached on the rocky slopes of Golgotha; the Blessed Mother verily became the mother of all the descendants of Eve. The graduates of this memorable year, 1954, whose commencement coincides with the Marian centenary, are privileged and honored to leave the revered portals of their Alma Mater with her special blessing imparted to them. In these pages, they will help to build Her shrine. Intrepidlv and indefatigably, they will strive to pursue their course to a happy conclusion, always mindful of their motto—“ad astra per aspera”—the motto which had so well sustained them as a guiding beacon of light throughout their four-year sojourn at St. Anthony’s Minor Seminary and Preparatory School.

Page 9 text:

While kingdoms collapse and governments crumble in the wake of the irrestible Nemesis of history; and the destinies of men and nations are proportionately altered—the one sustaining force of an individual’s or a nation’s will to live, to act, to work, to survive and to strive unfettered—is unshakenly bolstered and strongly supported by the individual’s or the nation’s spiritual fabric. And so it is that even no matter how much a blade of grass may be trodden under, trampled; no matter if it lies in the wind and the rain, soon after the storm is over that blade of grass will stand erect, completely undamaged and oven strengthened by the pressure brought to bear against it. As the poet expresses it: “I am wounded but not slain, I will lay me down and bleed awhile, and rise—and fight again.” The inculcation of moral principles and the appreciation of spiritual values is the basic philosophy underlying the education of Catholic youth. It is its very t!raison d’etre.” Ceaseless emphasis on these objectives will certainly prepare every young Catholic gentleman to courageously and humbly meet anv and all the vicissitudes of life. This is by far the most important single element in the educational structure of an intelligent and purposeful existence. It cannot be otherwise, for without this inculcation of Christian moral principles and well understood appreciation of spiritual values, the school would produce a hollow shell—beautiful and even magnificent perhaps—but nonetheless bereft of meaning and purposefulness. Even the National Shrine would undoubtedly remain hollow and meaningless, were it not for the realization, conviction and devotion to these moral principles and ultimate spiritual values. It is therefore this consciousness and awareness of the ultimate objectives of life that explains and justifies the unceasing solicitude for the moral maturity and spiritual stature of our youth.