St Henry High School - Trojan Yearbook (Charleston, MO)

Page 7 text:

F T C H U E 9 L N 5 T Fcntlxe 1' S olmmtffl Reverend Charles P. Schmitt Reverend Raymend W. Rau Sister M. Irene, C.PP.S. Sister M. Eudocia, C.PP.S. Sister M. Eunice, C.PP.S. Sister M. Ann Irene, C.PP.S. R 1 Y Y Sister M. Silveria, C.PP.S. Sister Mary David, C.PP.S. Sister N. Dernette, C.PP,S. Sister Mary Gerald, C.PP.S. Coach Alphonse O'Rourke

Page 9 text:

Dear Students, We were happy to hear' the announcement that a new parish was to be established by Father Rau at East Prairie. With equal joy we re- ceived the information that the new parish would be named for St. Mary Goretti, the Virgin lhriqrr. In St. Mary Goretti children and youth the world over, but par- ticularly in the New and Mother Parishes, have an extraordinary pa- troness and model. She is the modern Martyr of Purity, the one who has brought back into our century the moral integrity and purity, the piety and love of God, the obedience to authority, the patience and fortitude in suffering which adorned the lives of the youthful mrtyrs of ancient Rome -- Agnes, Agatha, Cecilia, Pancratius, and Tarcisius. St. lhry Goretti did not have the advantages of modern educa- tion. Her parents were extremly poor. Living in a poverty-strick- en area of Italy the family could scarcely provide the 'bare neces- sities of life. There was no opportunity for schooling. Neverthe- less, this child grew in wisdom and grace before God and nan. Un- der the guidance of holy parents she daily drank deep of the knowl- edge of religion. From day to day she grew in the lcncwrledge of God, of Our Lord Jesus, of wry, Virgin Mother of God, of Holy Mother Church. She learned and loved the highest wisdom, the art of living as alchild of God. So well did she learn that the lack of fornnl schooling was no hindrance to her receiving her First Holy Communion with other children of her age. From the human point of view she had no advantages. Yet she achieved the greatest possible success. She became a Saint. Living today dennnds heroism. Our American youth is proving itself equal to the task of the field of battle, on the high seas, in the air. But youth must prove its metal also in the battle for Christian Morality. The Mystery of Iniquity' is using every means to undermine the chastity of Youth. In this battle Catholic Youth has a new leader in St. lhry Goretti who feared not the murderous lmife of her lustful admirer but courageously defended her virgini- ty, preferring death rather than the loss' of the beautiful jewel of purity. ' my all our students lift up their minds and hearts to study and emulate the life of lhry Goretti. Her life is a thrilling sto- ry. It is a story which God Himself has fashioned to thrill and to challenge the Youth of today. ' Jai. 95