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

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an and sent its members his apostolic blessing for con- tinued work and success. A Golden Jubilee Burse was established to permanently commemorate the event. 1923-1925 After a lingering illness the Reverend Charles Becker for 42 years professor of music, classical lan- guages, and mathematics died at Effmgham, Illinois, on August 22. The pen falters at the difficult task of doing even partial justice to the achievements of this priest as spiritual guide and teacher in some branch or other of every student in the Seminary during those 42 years. He displayed sincerity and exactness in the classroom, at the altar, in the con- fessional and in private conversation. The rich and abundant fruits that his active and edifying career produced are found in the minds and hearts of the thousand priests whom he inHuencecl in a thousand ways. iiThey who instruct many unto justice shall shine as stars for all eternity. Dan. XII,13. During the latter part of August a course in sociology was given at the Seminary. Many priests, laymen, and women attended. Social questions of the day were lectured on by the Rev. Dr. Och of the Josephinum College, the Rev. P. Ingeln of Toledo University, and the Rev. Dr. Muench of the Seminary. On September 10, the registration of students took place. On account of the exceptionally large number that applied for entrance many were sent to Pio Nono College to return when sufEcient room would be available for them at the Seminary. No new changes or events were noted either at the be- ginning of the school year or during the first semester. The Seminary entered upon its work equipped with a splendid faculty and the success it achieved was great. The beginning of the new year saw the Seminary carrying on its work with added zeal. St. Francis Day was solemnly celebrated and the usual degrees conferred upon the students. It is needless to state that the observance of this day is always a great inspiration to both students and visiting alumni. It enables them to renew their love for the school and for its great patron Saint, Francis de Sales. Effort was made at the earlier part of the year to strengthen the bond which existed between the Alma Mater and her graduates. Hence invitations were sent to all priests who had studied at St. Francis to join the Alumni Association. The great number of accept- ances received gave sufficient evidence that those who had studied at the Salesianum were deeply attached to their Alma Mater. The culminating event of the year 1924 in the Seminaryis history was the meeting on March 18 of the rovincial bishops, in person or by proxy, in which, the school was changed from a provincial to SAINT FRANCIS SEMINARY a diocesan seminary. Students of the Milwaukee diocese were becoming so numerous that a move of this nature had to be made in view of the limited room available at the Seminary. Though the Semi- nary was mainly to be for these students still it was to continue to receive aspirants from other dioceses. During the remaining part of the scholastic year the presentation of Bulwer Lyttonis iiRichelieuii by the St. James Society directed by Father George Eilers and the German version of Shakespeards ilMacbetW by the Blessed Albertus Magnus Society under the direction of Father Aloysius Muench were given for the benefit of the students and the alumni. On May 29, the sad news of the death of Sir ohn Singenberger, professor of music at the Catholic Normal School, Pio Nono, and at times at the Seminary was received. Singenberger was an apostle in the movement for better music. He founded and for 51 years edited the magazine iiCaeciliaW His musical compositions are legion. Popes as well as various Universities have recognized his labors in behalf of ecclesiastical art and have bestowed upon him numerous honors. The Seminary lost a friend and supporter in the passing of this eminent musi- Clan. During the summer months of 1924 a retreat for the clergy of the Archdiocese and one for the Knights of Columbus was held at St. Francis. The classes of 1899 and 1904 again honored the insti- tution with a reunion. The District Convention of the Third Order of St. Francis was held on the grounds late in August. A Pontifical High Mass was sung in the open air in front of the Seminary by the Most Reverend Archbishop, while the Reverend Charles Bruehl, Ph. D., of St. Charles Seminary preached on the occasion. In September the students again returned re- freshed and prepared to take up their duties. The customary Pontifical Mass in honor of the Holy Ghost sung by Monsignor Rainer was followed by the usual routine. With the exception of two inter- esting addresses to the students by the Very Rev. A. Walsh, Rector of the Missionary Seminary at Maryknoll, and the Reverend Hoefliget of Switzer- land, and the death of Vernon Bauers, a student of second class, the Seminary chronicle reported no other event for this year. The memorable instances that occurred during the first half of the year 1925 were the annual observance of St. Francis Day, the conferring of the priesthood upon two different occasions by Bishop Rhode of Green Bay, and the presentation of iiThomas Moreh by the St. Stanislaus Kostka Society, and Henry 1V1, by the St. Thomas Society. These plays were directed by Fathers Bednarski and Johnson respect- i691

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DIAMOND vnsciiis falhmw 9 Golden Sacerdotal Jubilee of the Archbishop took place at St. Johnis Cathedral in Milwaukee. A week later the celebration was held at the Seminary. Three newly appointed preiates, alumni of St. Francis, the Right Revs. B. Traudt, D. OiHearn, and B. Goral were present. Though the celebration by the faculty and students was not so grand and universal in its nature and character as were the soiemnities in the metropolitan city, still it was a feast of an effec- tionate family gathered around its friend and father Archbishop Messmer. The program was short but fitly and thoughtfully arranged. On January 21, 1922, the sad news of the death of Pope Benedict XV was received by the entire Catholic world. The Seminary joined in the sad spirit caused by this beloved PontifPs departure, yet it was not long before the joyous news came from Rome that the Most Eminent Cardinal Achille Ratti had been elevated to the Chair of St. Peter and had taken the name of Pius XI. Many priests were present for the Seminaryis major celebration, St. Francis Day, which was ob- served in a most solemn manner. Archbishop Mess- mer pontificated in the morning and awarded the degree of Bachelor of Arts to 16 students in the afternoon. This occasion marked the first time that degrees were conferred at the Seminary, and his Grace was justly proud that the SaIesianum was carrying out the wishes of the Holy See in this regard. Among the items of interest that occurred from March to the close of the school year were: the oHiciaI opening of the Seminary golf links by the Rev. W. O,Connor who led off followed by about 50 students; the presentation of Shakespeareis iiComedy of Errorsii by the St. James Literary Society under the direction of Father Eilers, and the thorough physical exami- nation of all students which had been determined upon by the authorities. On May 3, an alumnus of the Seminary, Mon- signor Joseph G. Pinten, was consecrated by Arch- bishop Messmer for the See of Superior. After a few years of labor in this diocese Bishop Pinten was transferred to the Diocese of Grand Rapids. June 12 marked the second formal conferring of degrees in the Seminary Auditorium. Just previous to the departure of the students for their homes the degree of Bachelor of Sacred Theology was conferred upon three theologians, and the degree of Master of Arts upon 14 others. During the summer months of this year there were two retreats held at the Seminary, one for the clergy and the other for the laymen of the diocese; the classes of 1902 and 1912 renewed acquaintances with their Alma Mater; the Most Rev. John Bonzano, JUBILEE GE? Apostolic Delegate, made a canonical visit; and the biennial reunion of the Alumni Association was held. 1921-1923 The opening of the school year in September found 105 theologians, 27 philosophers, and 166 classics ready to begin their work. The Rev. A. J. Muench, D. S. Sc., who had spent several years at schools in Europe was added to the faculty. The Rev. Francis Haas who had completed his course at the Catholic University resumed his teaching duties. The Rev. Rector Augustine Breig, D.D., was solemnly invested by Archbishop Messmer with the insignia of Domestic Prelate. During the latter part of the year his Grace con- ferred the order of priesthood upon six theolo- gians. The young priests remained at the Seminary to complete their studies though their services were needed at the various parishes each Sunday. On December 21, the Sacrament of Confirmation was administered to 11 students of the high school department. The Patron Feast in 1923 was again observed in a most solemn manner. Bishop Pinten sang the Ponti- fical High Mass while Bishops McGavick and Nuss- baum were present in the sanctuary. In the afternoon the Master and Bachelor degrees were awarded to a number of the students. Many priests were present for the occasion, and the announcement that his Holiness Pius XI had chosen the iiGentlemen Sainti, of Geneva as the patron of Catholic authors and publicists gave them reason to rejoice. During the remaining part of the school year the student body was addressed at various times by His Eminence Cardinal Von Faulhaber, Archbishop of Munich, Monsignor Francis C. Kelly, president of the Extension Society and later Bishop of Lincoln Diocese, and the Rev. P. DeLange, S. V. D., of the Sunda Islands. Other interesting occurrences were the presentation of iiTweIfth Nighf, by the St. Thomas Literary Society under the direction of Father John- son; the Corpus Christi procession which was held in a fitting manner amid a great concourse of people from the city and vicinity, and the celebration of the twentV-iifth anniversary of the ordination of the Rev. Fridolin Walter on the 12th day of June. On June 13, the Albertus Magnus Society cele- brated its Golden Jubilee at the SaIesianum. The Society which has for its object the cultivation of German language and literature among the students of philosophy and theology had been founded in 1873. A Pontifical High Mass was sung by Arch- bishop Messmer. At the banquet in the afternoon his Grace called attention to the very pressing impor- tance of the isocietyis work. He read a cablegram from the Holy Father who congratulated the society I581

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