St Joseph Academy - Sajoscript Yearbook (Columbus, OH)

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SANDALPIION All For God FRANCES BRADLEY Graduate 'l' WAS noon. Overhead, the sun, like a revengeful god, sent down blind- ing rays of heat upon a parched earth. Everywhere there was quiet. Under a large tree covered with leafy foliage, lay a tall, slender boy apparently asleep. Ile appeared to be seventeen or eighteen years Qld. To his right, in a large grassy meadow, a flock of sheep was wandering aimlessly, guarded by a huge shepherd dog. Suddenly the air was pierced by several sharp, staccato barks, and the boy angrily arose to discover what might be the cause of the disturbance. HI knew it was too peaceful to lastf, he muttered to himself, and turning around be- held a large, well-built man smiling at him kindly. '4Shep had ceased to bark, and was licking the man's hand, and jumping on him playfully, as though he found him a very pleasant companion indeed. Then the stranger spoke. And his deep, manly voice tfld of culture and refinement. My boy, how can you lie here? Do you not know that the good King Louis has summoned a crusade, in which you, as well as all the youth of our fair France should feel honored to join? Come, leave your flock of foolish sheep, and iight for the glory cf God, and your king! The boy's expressive face showed the delight he felt. Sir, is it really true, that there is to he another crusade WZ Tell me where I shall go to join the king. My father died in the Holy Land, he added proudly. NVon't you come to my home, and dine with us before continuing your journey? My Mother will be glad to hear of the king's plansfi Nay, my son, he responded kindly, HI can not tarry here, I must reach the next village ere nightfallf' With these words, he turned and swung off down the long white road, a romantic figure, whcse lithe stride betokened the military training he had un- doubtedly received. NVith more speed than he had ever accomplished the deed before, Philip de Lavelle herded his sheep into the feld for the night. He rushed home, and in great haste entered the little house, in which he and his Mother lived, crying excitedly, Mother, Mother ! i ' In answer fo his call, a Woman, comparatively young, and exceptionally eomely, appeared, and gazing at him fondly for a moment, inquired the reason rf his deep excitement, and half-holiday. Oh, Mother, at last the chance has come! Now I am to travel, and see the world. And, just think, I shall fight: and who knows but I may be the first to enter the Iloly City, and plant the Cross of King Louis, bearing the words 'fled Wills It'? Ilis brilliant eyes glowed-truly he was a lad to make any mother's heart contract with fear and terror at the thought of what might hefall him, as she recalled with unspeakable anguish the fate of her beloved husband. Yes, nearly fifteen years beforeg an older Philip had stood before her, and had voiced this same longing and desire. Ile had kissed her, and their three-year old son fondly, and with some ether ardent French men rode away never to return. Now when the old wound was nearly healed, was her heart to be pierced anew by the loss of her only beloved scan? Surely the goed flod would not ask this of her--but who was she to question Ilis will, and that of the glorious King Louis? 9-o, hiding the fear from her eyes and voice, she bade her son tell her all page thirty-eight

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SANDALPHON Philip D'All9iney DOROTHY HILL Graduate HERE is a stirring appeal in the story of the Crusades that strikes a re- sponsive chord in the heart of nearly everyone who reads about them. The kings, lords, barons, and especially the knights, who took part in these hard-fought struggles of the Middle Ages, stand out in the most heroic manner before anyone who is familiar with the Crusades. The knights were ideal Chris- tians, sturdy soldiers, and the bravest men that ever fought in any war. All those who passed even a small part of their lives on the battlefield, in an earnest effort to free the Holy Land, deserve the unstinted praise which chivalry, heroism, and loyalty have at all times called forth. Among these valiant knights of the Cross, Philip D'Albiney played no insignificant part. His history is most interesting because of his close relations with several prominent characters and places in history. There is mention of him in several places in English history under the names, D'Albini, D'Aubigny, lJ'Aubigne, and D'Albiney, all of which, as can be proved by his position in history, refer to the same individual. l'erhaps Philip D'Albincy figures most prominently among the signers of the Magna Cliarta in 1215. Ile was one rf the Councillors of King John, and is said to have signed the Great Charter immediately after the King himself. As a Crusader he was equally important, and fought courageously in defense of the Iloly Land. Ile was present in the Iloly City at the time of Frederick II's self-coronation as King of Jerusalem. Again in 1236, Philip came thither as a pilgrim, hilt fell a victim to the plague then raging there. Death, however, which ended his earthly career, was but the prologue to an interesting story in connection with his burial. Philip 's dying wish that he be laid to rest at the foot of the great basilica of the Iloly Sepulchre, with his body leaning against the foundation, was re- spected. llis unusual request was of a piece with his character and tempera- ment. Ile desired to testify that the Church of Christ, for which he had fought so valiantly during life, was none other than the one in which, triumphant, he would sing forever the praises of Cod. As in life his faith rested on his Crucified Saviour, so in death would his mortal remains indicate by their position his belief that the Church is the pillar and ground ef truth. In cfat of mail, with lanee or spear, he had fought the Mohammedan foe, in the lowly garb of a pilgrim he was laid to rest. Seven hundred years have passed since Philip D'Albiney passed from scenes of earthly strife to the silence of the tomb. The centuries, however, have not consigned him to oblivion, for recent excavations near the Basilica of the Iloly Sepulchre in Jerusalem have uncovered his last resting place, which it was deemed advisable to remove to a place of greater security. Shortly after the work preparatory to the transfer was begun, the body of the crusader was found intact. Ilis tombstone, which has for many years been known to exist, has excited considerable interest because of its remarkable Latin inscription. The desire to preserve this relic of crusading days led to the discovery of the body unim- paired by the ravages of time. In Philip D'Albiney, councillor of a king, pre- ceptor of a prince, and intrepid crusader, we find a faith, sublime in its sini- plicity united, we cannot doubt, to lordly Norman blood. page thirty-seven

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S A N D A L P H 0 N he knew of the proposed expedition. That he did in a voice filled with eager- ness and expectation. if S :II Many days passed. At length gathered in the streets were crowds of men. Men, young and old, strong and weak, rich and poor, all fired with the same religious zeal, all marked with that distinguishing red cross which appeared on the shoulder of each. It was nearly time to begin the long march. The restless horses 'pawed the ground. The air was filled with rising shouts and cheers, and from all sides came farewells and hearty wishes for success. They were off! Mothers and wives smilingly waved to the moving cavalcade. Thus have women, through countless wars, smiled on their departing men, while their hearts are filled with tears .... Toward the close of the year 1248, 50,000 Crusaders under the leadership of their saintly king reached Cyprus where they remained until spring. Early in the following May the royal fieet of eighteen hundred vessels again set sail, this time for Egypt, the stronghold of the Mohammedans, but owing to a violent storm at sea only nine hundred ships came into port. The loss of so many com- panions in arms disheartened a number of those who survived, and made them almost willing to turn back. It took all the king's eloquence and dauntless courage to rekindle the enthusiasm which had buoyed them up when the journey began. And so amidst discontent and religious fervor, the Crusaders marched on until they had nearly reached the gates of Damietta one sultry night in June. Nothing was seen cf the Turks, and a call came for volunteers to steal into the city, and report the lay of the land. Philip, eager for adventure, was the first to respond, and Louis while he dreaded to see so young a boy undertake the perilous task, allowed him to go. The lad stole out of the camp, and slowly and cautiously made his way to the city-gates. He looked about for an opening of some kind, but could not, in the blackness of the night, find anything that would provide a, means of his entering the city unmolested. Hearing the regular footfall of the guard just inside the walls, he crept as clesely as possible along them to escape being seen. How proud Mother will be, he thought, when I tell her I was sent ahead. I'll be the first Frenchman inside the enemy 's city, and how proud God will be! I know He will. And Dad, I wonder if he can see me nowf' Fumblingly, but surely, he made his way, until he fell headlong. As he started to rise, he thought he saw an opening in the wall, clese to the ground, and 'passing his hand along the stone foundation he found what he sought. At last. he breathed, now I can get in. His heart thumped loudly, and he could hardly wait to creep through to the other side, so eager was he to suc- ceed. Philip pushed his head in, and felt, rather than saw, the guard approach- ing, but waited for him to pass before venturing in. A moment more and he stood within the city of Damietta. After whispering a prayer of thanksgiving to God, he started forward. But the young spy had not noticed the overhead guard who happened to be patrolling that particular section. Ile would have mistaken Philip for one ef his countrymen had not the boy acted so suspiciously. Pointing his javelin at the boy, he hissed, Down, you dog! ' The surprise was so great that the boy turned, and the spear was hurled just in time to pierce his young heart. Ah,', he gasped, clutching his breast as if to stop the pain. MotherAI know you 'll understand-it was-all-eform God. Jerking the cruel weapfn, he threw it on the ground, and a spurt of red blood shot upwards. WVith a low moan, Philip de Iiavelle fell to the ground, i11 a lifeless heap, just inside the city gates of Damietta. page thirty-nine Q f