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

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WW 5, 3 foreword The Via is making way quite handsomely. This year marks the fifth year of production. Its birth was attended by skeptics who observed that it wouldn't survive the rigors of life, but it lives to give them lie. It seems to be not only a fait ac- compli, but a kind of tour de force. Its career was not launched without agony, and the first editor will likely bear always the marks of his battle with fortune and misfortune. Now, latest in the line of splendid editors, Mr. James Wood has taken enthusiastically to the work of production, and this book is testimony of his achievement. To him, and to the able staff who assisted him, I am grateful. The name HVia, chosen five years ago, has proved particularly appropriate. It is suggested by the Latin word which the Vulgate uses to describe, in the Acts of the Apostles, the way of life to which a Christian commits himself. Since a priest is committed in a special way, the term Hvia has a special significance for him, and thus for those studying to become priests. Finally, we have chosen this year to carry out a theme: that of hands. It is a happy choice, we feel, and much theologizing might be done upon it. But specifically, we decided upon it because of the implication of hands which St. Thomas Aquinas employs. He points out that an animal's claws serve a narrow purpose-that of digging, or fight- ing, or climbing, and so forth. In the life of a man, hands demonstrate his rationality, since his hands can manifest approval, happiness, affection, fear, and many other rational reactions. Specifically, we have devotion in mind, since the hands of a priest are the instruments of mercy to man in many ways that need no elaboration. This leitmotiv, then, serves to unify our 1959 VIA. 4W Ialm M. Magnituf, 24W

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ST. FRANUS SEM NOR DEPARTME tussufhs , 1

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dedication His Excellency, The Most Rev. William E. Cousins, D.D. To you . . . Our new spiritual leader . . . Our channel of the Apostolic powers of the priesthood . . . We future ticsts of God dedicate this VIA . . . The dedication has no motive other than . . . T0 welcome you to Milwau- lEee . . . And to assure you of our co-operation and service . . . We are deeply appreciative of your interest in us . . . We understand that every leader must have followers . . . But too, every follower must have a leader . . . We hope to profit from some of the qualities so apparent in your priesthood . . . An interest in people, GodWs greatest invest- ment, is indispensable . . . A manifestation of this interest in an eagerness to meet them . . . A desire to listen to them . . . A willingness to spend and be spent . . . Such a manifestation must be made . . . We trust that some of these qualities . . . Which you demonstrate so spontaneously . . . Will become contagious . . . And one day ap- pear in our lives as priests of God. . P 4 C . . The Students of St. Francis Minor SeminaryJ age