St Joseph Commercial High School - Parmentier Yearbook (Brooklyn, NY)

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Pius XII, Pope of Peace UGENIO PACELLI was born in Rome, and was ordained a priest in 1901. In the year 1917, he became titular Archbishop of Sardes, being thereafter sent to Munich as Apostolic Nuncio. During this time, he was an outstanding character in the negotiations of Benedict XV, who, at the time was attempting to mediate with the Central Powers, and the Allies, for peace. Deeply moved by the suffering during the World War, the Arch- bishop preached fearlessly against the Red Regime which had followed in the wake of the war. Through his efforts, the famous Concordat between the Holy See and the Reich was effected. However important all these actions might seem, they were surpassed by still more important tasks before his election as Supreme Pontiff, during which time he clearly displayed his courage in defending peace even at the risk of his own life. Cnce he had been sent by Benedict XV to interpret the proposed pontifical peace to the entire German world, and in the face of great odds, he did not hesitate to defy the Communists who would not stop at destroying Catholicism alone-but even God Himself. This is just one incident by which he later earned the title, Pope of Peaceu. Pope Pius XII's coat of arms bears the motto: OPUS JUSTITIAE PAX QThe work of justice is peacej. He was successor of Pius X, who died with a prayer for peace, and of Pius XI, who offered up his life for peace. It is therefore fitting that he follow their zealous example. He opened his Pontificate on March 3, 1939, with a strong plea for peace, addressed to the world from the Sistine Chapel, and his first pronounce- ment was a strong heartfelt plea for peace, a peace founded on justice and charity. His very appearance marks him as the model of the Prince of Peace that he really is. His words reveal that inner peace which his expression implies, and in them is set forth his right to the noble title, The Pope of Peace . His words, upon his arrival in the United States, remain emblazoned upon the pages of history: I am happy to find myself within the territory of a great people who know how to unite so beautifully and nobly a sense of discipline with the exercise of a just, legitimate and well-ordered liberty. May all the sons and daughters of the North American Continent, in spite of present difficulties, enjoy a condition of noble and decent human existence which is the prerequisite of a true and lasting peace in society. In his first message, as he ascended the throne of St. Peter, Pius XII uttered the following words: To this Our paternal message, We will add a hope and invitation to peace. We speak of that peace which Our Predecessor of blessed memory urged so insistently upon men, for which he invoked such ardent prayers, and for which he made to God a spontaneous offer of his life. We speak of that peace which is the sublime gift of heaven, the desire of all good souls, and the fruit of charity and justice. In his first Encyclical, he appealed for peace treaties to be negotiated at the close of the war, which would not bring about the sacrifices and sufferings which had been the result of the last war. He promised to devote his time to the quick return of peace, when he said, Safety does not come to peoples from the sword which can impose conditions of peace, but which does not create peace. Thus, the true Prince of Peace speaks through Pius XII, His newly crowned Pope of Peace. DOROTHY HURLEY '40. .ggi 3 E...

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Greetings IGHT Reverend Monsignori, Reverend Fathers, beloved members of the Faculty, dear parents, relatives, and friends: We have met here this evening to participate in one of the greatest moments of high school life, the culmination of our intellectual endeavors to attain success. In behalf of the Class of 1940, it is my pleasure and privilege to greet you on this auspicious occasion. Your presence has added much to our joy and taken away a little of the sorrow which is always present at the parting of the ways . . . The time has come when we must leave the sheltering walls of school and home and take upon ourselves the obligation of responsibility. Now we must consider the world in its length and breadth, the many races of men, their random achievements and accomplishments, the disappointments of life, the dreary, hopeless lack of religion, the condition of all humanity-all this is a vision which is too appalling. We need not fear these things, however, for we have been well-prepared to meet and overcome every obstacle in all phases of life. Though we are all anxious to draw aside the curtain of the future and to soar to great heights of fame, fortune and success, we realize, through the medium of our education and our ventures into the field of literature, that life is not a mere battle for success, but a struggle of ideas, of culture against ignorance, of civilization against barbarism. It is a contest between two orders, between the material organization of the world and the Christian ideal based on spiritual faith and animated by Charity. The triumph of such an ideal in a world that seems governed only by material forces and distracted by hatred and greed may seem a fantastic dream. But in history, .it is often the incredible that happens. We offer our deepest and most grateful appreciation to our beloved parents who have made heroic sacrihces, not asking the cost, to see us protected during our forma- tive years. At the present time, the world is impatiently waiting to test our ability, our courage and our Faith-and you, dear parents, have helped to prepare us for this test in more ways than you can imagine. You have contributed to our strength and fortitude, patience and understanding-the weapons with which we are armed for the battle of life and for which we shall be everlastingly thankful. To the revered members of the Faculty, we are not going to bid farewell, nor use mere words to offer our thanks, but we shall pray that all their efforts to make us model 'Catholic women will be engraved in gold in the great Book of Life. Our one great ambition is to prove ourselves worthy of all the priceless gifts that have been showered upon us by our loved ones. We shall strive to achieve our goal in order to show our heartfelt gratitude to all those who have extended a helping hand along our road to success. Through the years we shall often call to mind these words of the poet Wordsworth: To humhler functions, awful Power! I call thee: I, myself, commend Unto Thy guidance from this hour, O let my weakness have an end. Give unto me, made lowly-wise The spirit of self-sacrifice, The Confidence of reason, give, And in the light of Truth, Thy hondman let me live . . . In conclusion, let me express the hope that 'all who are present with us this evening will cherish the memory of this momentous occasion, as we who are graduating will always carry it in our hearts as a symbol of friendship and love to inspire us. MILDRED HIGGINS '40. 1 Olga.-