St Francis Xavier Academy - Xavier Yearbook (Providence, RI)

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THE FRANCESCA CLASS MOTTO. “ Quisrmutrmmi 3lurrs Hirtutis.” jHESE three words, the motto of the class of ’06, Saint Xavier’s Academy, are brimful of meaning. In-deed, it would be difficult to express in any other three words so much that is grand and good. In every human heart there is much selfishness, envy and jealousy, covetousness and avarice, and all these are signs of a strong desire in our innermost being to acquire the goods of this world and to hold them exclusively. Material wealth, physical beauty and intellectual powers are so many objects of ambition among the worldly-wise. Among such, however, as have learned to prize “the one thing necessary,” virtue is the highest good; this is, moreover, the treasure that is beyond the reach of thief, the gnawing of moth and the corroding of rust. Neither is it a dormant treasure: it flowers and blooms, it unfolds its rich and varied hues, it casts its fragrance on the breeze for the pleasure, the edification of every passer-by. Virtue like mercy, is twice blest; it blesseth him that gives and him that takes.” It may be alleged that our motto is too pretentious, that our resolve to spread about us the flowers of virtue is assuming to give what it were vanity to declare we possess. The standard we set ourselves is, it is true, high, but our preparation for the accomplishment of the lack is, it must also be admitted, long and thorough. VVe are about to graduate from a Catholic high school; this means that, for at least four years, we have received religious training in school as well as at home. Indeed, most of us have been thus favored since we first went to school. Consequently, the Church, our teachers, our parents, our friends 25

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THE FRANCESCA CLASS VOEM. The day has come, the parting hour; Oh would we had the magic power To just reverse the joy and pain. And have our four years o’er again! The glad four years! our years, our own; They on too fleeting wings have flown; And we, a sad and tearful band. Before the unknown future stand. We have known joy, we’ve tasted deep The pleasures which high school days keep: Each lesson was a scene of zest, Each duty but a sweet behest. We’ve been together day by day, We’ve said the much we had to say; We’ve known each other through and through. In studious and in social view. We’ve loved our teachers, praised their law, Revered them, too. but not with awe: We’ve dearly prized Saint Xavier’s School,— Oh may our lives go by its rule! Oh, farewell, Alma Mater true! Farewell, a long farewell to you! Adieu, our schoolmates cherished dear; We envy you your coming year. Farewell each dear, familiar spot,— The schoolroom, classroom, garden-plot! Our hearts their grateful love can tell In only one sad word—Farewell! 24 HELEN TERESA CALLAHAN.

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THE FRANCESCA and acquaintances have a right to expect much from us. If there be any to hold up a high standard of Christian life in the parishes of the diocese, they are, beyond a doubt, the young lady graduates, the alumnae of St. Xavier’s. When, therefore, we exhort one another, in our class motto to scatter the flowers of virtue, we are only inciting ourselves to what should be, to what is expected from us. It is hoped that not one of us will ever fall short of the beautiful ideal embodied in “Disseminemus flores virtutis.” Through love for our Alma Mater, as well as through family pride and self-respect, we shall, with Heaven's blessing, approach as near as possible to the standard set forth in our motto. Of each one in the class of ’06. which is numbered as the fifty-fourth class which has bid its sad farewell to the dear “old” convent of Mercy, may it be possible for some future historian of St. Xavier's Alumnae to record. “Dissem-inaverunt omnium flores virtutum. BESSIE GERMAINE BYRNE. 0as Erlto aits hrr Srr. ES gab unserer Klasse ein sehr grosses Yergnugen als wir zum ersten mal eine Reise zusammen machten. Es war im frohligen Monat Juni in deni jahr 1905. gerade als die Scliule fur die Ferien geschlossen war. Wir freuten uns auf dem neun und zwansigsten, den wir dacbten kam nie. Aber er kam doch und der Sonnenschein dabei. Um acht uhr morgens versamnielten wir, und jetzt fur eine grosse zeit. Nun aber habe ich noch. nicht gesagt wohin wir gehen woll-ten. Es war nach New Port, einem Platz den Sie alle gut kennen. Wir nahmen das Dampboot um neun uhr. Ich brauche 26