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

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Pius XI. a XI) behold, I am with you all days, even to the consummation of the world.” These divine words, spoken to Saint Peter when he was made Christ’s Vicar on earth, are the infallible testimony of the life and stability of the Papacy. The guiding hand of the Holy Ghost has piloted the Bark, Peter through persecution, heresy, schism, usurpation and irreligion from the time of Saint Peter down through the ages and even to the glorious reign of our late, lamented and beloved Holy Father, Benedict. XV. Now that the smoke of battle has cleared away, all men avow that the Holy See maintained justice and charity in its dealings with the contending hosts; the world appreciated Benedict XV and realized that lie guided the Papacy in dark and difficult days. God saw tit to bring his reign to a close and to give, in his place, one whose election was a subject of international interest. When, from the Sacred College came the announcement “Habemus ponti-licein—We have a pontiff, Pius XI. formerly Ilis Eminence, Cardinal Achille Ratti,” not only the two hundred thousand people who stood expectantly without, rejoiced, but likewise the whole Catholic world. And when the newly-elected Pontiff came out to give his blessing to his assembled children, their enthusiasm and joy increased, for he bestowed his first apostolic Benediction from the exterior balcony overlooking the Square of Saint Peter’s. This is the first time, since the separation of the Church and State, that the Pope has given his blessing from the loggia of the basilica. The act seems to signalize that he believes in the policy of peace, restoration, and harmonious relations with the Quirinal. The eleventh Pius does not belong to the nobility of Italy. His father. Francisco Ratti, a silk spinner, was able to give all his children a good education; but, because of his unusual capacity for learning, Achille was especially favored. He received his first training from Don Guiseppe Voluntieri, a priest who conducted a private school in Deseo. Under the venerable teacher, Achille Ratti advanced greatly in both secular and spiritual education. At the age of ten, he became conscious of his vocation to the altar and consequently he passed to the seminary of St. Peter the Martyr, where he greatly distinguished himself. He next spent two years in the seminary of Monza and a third year at the college of San Carlo in Milan. Three years more were passed at the Seminario Maggiore, whence, by the order of the Archbishop of Milan, lie was sent to Rome to be a pupil of the Collegio Lombardi, with a scholarship to continue his studies at the1 Gregorian University. Tin- Xavier Page Niue

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He was ordained in 1879 and celebrated his first Mass at the tomb of Saint Peter. He had obtained at the university the three Doctorates in philosophy, theology, and canon law. When he returned to his native diocese, he became professor of theology in the episcopal seminary, but in 1886 the late Monsignor Ceriani, the librarian of the Ambrosian Library in Milan chose him for his assistant. So successful was his work that in 1907 when tin Monsignor died. Father Ratti was placed in charge of the library. He devoted much of his time to the thorough study of ancient and modern languages, to the contribution of various articles to the press, and to the preservation and restoration of old manuscripts. In 1915 our late Holy Father honored him by appointing him to the charge of the Vatican Library. But his life was not to be spent among books and manuscripts. He was to be drawn into the midst of the chaos and politics of a world at war. Suddenly, in April 1918, he was dispatched to Poland to act as Apostolic Delegate. In this devastated country, and also in Silesia where the tyranical Russian authorities had suppressed Catholicism to a great extent, he effected harmonious relations between the Church and Poland. At the re-establishment of the Papal Nunciature in Warsaw in 1919, Benedict XV made him Nuncio to Poland and titular Archbishop of Lepanto. His extensive and heroic labors in their country has endeared him to the great mass of Poles. The late Pope was so pleased with his work that he elevated him to the Cardinalate and made him Archbishop of his native city, Milan, in June 1921. Thus he had been Cardinal less than eight months when he became the two-hundred and sixtieth successor of Saint Peter. The story of his life gives assurance that he will face with the predicted “Fides Intrepida tin- problems that are sure to confront him. He has already proven his undauntedness by his remarkable achievements in mountain-climbing. His energy, his erudition, his diplomacy, his piety, and his love of peace will undoubtedly be great accessories to him as Sovereign Pontiff. Nevertheless, it is incumbent on us, his children, to pray for him that his Pontificate may be marked by the same characteristics which made that of his predecessor so glorious—its impartiality, its zeal, and its moral enlightenment. Vivat Pius XI ad multos annos! —Margaret Ellin “May He support us all the day long, till the shades lengthen, and the evening comes, and the busy world is hushed, and the fever of life is over, and our work is done! Then in His mercy may He give us a safe lodging, and a holy rest, and peace at tin- last!” —Ca rdinal New hi a n Page Ten The Xavier