St Francis Minor Seminary - Via Yearbook (Milwaukee, WI)

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SAINT FRANCIS SBMINARY REMEMBRANCES,, ' OF MONSIGNOR RAINER

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DIAMOND JUBILEE aESE Ode to Monsignor Joseph Rainer Thou guardian angel of his mighty soul Unlock the sacred vaults of Records closed; Draw forth for us a late completed scroll, Scarce long enough amid the Files exposed T0 catch the dust of heaven. Yet it may be That angels crowding Wound to see This proof of earthly sanctity Have paged and thumhed this Record-hook Of him we love. The proof, oh God, that man to he a saint Need not depart this exile state of strife, Nor isolate himself from mundane taint Is writ on Ioseph Rainefs Page of life. For like his Master he did not disdain To tread the thorny ways of pain, When there were souls for him to gain. He lived a blessed life with Thee. oh God, This priest we loye. lTis not for mortal tongues to sing the praise Of men of God;iof saints who wear the crown, God has His angels for such tasks, who raise Their choral voice to chant the fair renown Of those He loves. And through eternity Their voices blending seem to he Godls smile sound-wreathed in melody. This is the note the Angel choirs sound For him we love. Thou saintly priest of God, what great success Has crowned thy work so well performed on earth! Thy hand as priest was ever raised to bless, Thy tongue as teacher ever taught the worth Of higher things in lifeWof God, and love For Her, the Spouse of the Mystic Dove, Our Queen, who smiles from heaven ahove Upon Godls children. Yea, what grand reward For him we love! How nobler are the lives of those who knew Thy loving voice, and saw thy kindly smile! How better is the world for having you Within its ranks as leader for awhile! And even heaven seems a grander place Because where heams thy saintly face God proves the richness of His grate. Yea, God Himself seems kinder to have lent Us him we love. Thy life completed now remains a guidee For priests, a mark to strive for; and for all Who walk the worldls hard path, a hope, to tide Them o,er lifels pitfalls, lest they slip and fall. Shine on, thou beacon light! and point the way That leads to that unending day Of life and peace. And when we pray Before Godls throne, our thoughts shall ever be With him we love. Thou guardian angel of his mighty soul, Proclaim the story of his heavenly praise As God has written it upon the Scroll Which angels gather Wound in reVrent gaze! And so, Monsignor, do we pay to thee, A tribute that God meant should be With thee throughout eternity. This is the perfect tribute: Godls own praise Of him we love. JOHN HAROLD O,CONNOR, B. A. HI!

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UHbLSOZU deHhmw .Ammm PRESENT SEMINARY 1931 Ton. . a