St Ladislaus High School - Torch Yearbook (Hamtramck, MI)

Page 8 text:

The ideal of perfection may l e emulated by meant of a true education which is wholly directed to mini sublime end. With the protecting force of a religione training, a Catholic high school undent is endowed for a more generous fulfillment of the Gospel. To observe the Word means to make Jesus Christ the center of one's life. The search for the ideal pre- supposes a readiness, through humble consecration, to accept the challenge of spiritual combat against sin and Satan ami the world. Also, it implies, through sincere devotion. the taking on of the character peculiar to the knight whose highest purpose on earth is expressed by his lord of lords. I base gisen you an example, that as I have done to you. so do you also.” blending religion and chivalry, a graduate of St. Ijdislaus High School strikingly parallels the gentle Galahad of Arthurian romance, who is the perfect conception of a Christian knight- errant. Into a world of lights ami shadows. Iioth venture on a quest with lofty aims. When pre- paring for his spiritual errantry, the medieval chevalier passed through ihe stages of page ami squire. Meanwhile, he incorporated into his conduct the chivalric code with its moral qualifica- tions of fidelity, courage, justice, and courtesy. By the same token, during a four-year period of training, the ijulislite waxes strong in what it fine, nolile. clean, and staunch. Come the happiest day of the candidates' young lives with its solemn, sacred ceremony of highest honor. In the Middle Ages, it oftentimes was conferred hy a patron-knight or hy a lady, also the symbol of all that was nohlc and fair. The investiture of the knight, preceded hy the Christian symlioUsm of the vigil of arms, strict fast, and the vigil liefore the altar is renewed in the vigilant study, self-discipline, and prayer which an anient senior must undertake to prepare for graduation. At length, he receives the diploma—a silent memorial of his entering upon a constraining world. Again, the ceremony liears echo of the complete consecration to unselfish aims by the feudal Vnight when lie received the accolade, or dubbing with three strokes of the flat of the sword on the shoulder, proclaiming faithfulness, courage, and justice in the glorious cause of the Church. To the senior almut to Ivctake himself on the Wings of clemency and courtesy, the scarlet and grey school colors on his diploma take on an added meaning. I lie glowing scarlet shimmers in reminiscence of the medieval knight's mantle teceivcd at investiture, symliolical of the sacrifice that need lie made for God and his Church. The silver gray threads represent the sterling steel fiber of character which must remain taut and firm in I he course of onslaught of evil. The young knight Galahad, in search of the Holy Grail, followed without yielding in the footsteps of his Divine Leader. He coursed along, through highland and woodland, in endless pursuit of his spiritual object. Oblivious of the silence of the cad. green mountains and the frenried song of the wind, he followed over meadow and dale, until he found the Holy Vessel whose heavenly fragrance broke forth through the rustling forest or nival court. Hearkening to the whispered persuasion of the plain-song of achievement, and to live eternal music of his lofty ideal, the St. I.adislaus High School senior, with inimitable enthusiasm, pursues the trail of higfiest spiritual adventure. With mirth and song, the knightly troubadour of Cod. on lonely road or desert, brings joy and calm to bulleted mankind. Amidst the sunlight of peace and the frown of foreboding skies, lie oft must joust with the moods and beauties of the changing world. In this volume the reader will pursue the course of training of a modern Galahad whose r t of far-reaching influence for good in the world at large, in dulcet divine tefrain. mellows shadowy hills of lime.