St Marys High School - Labarum Yearbook (Saginaw, MI)

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nary of St. Peter Martyr he won high praise for ability and industry which earned for him the title, Hgiovani vecchio, the young old man. By steps he made his way to the Seminary of Monza and the College of St. Charles Borromeo, finally being enrolled at the Lombardy College in Rome where he attended classes at the Gregorian University. He celebrated his first Mass in Rome. December 20, 1879, but he continued his studies there until 1882, receiving doctorates of theology, philosophy, and canon law. There followed five years of teaching in theology and sacred eloquence at Milan, then an appointment at the College of Doc- tors for the Ambrosiana. A call to the assistant prefectship of the Vati- can Library in 1910 revealed a trait the world ever reveres in a strong man--a tender affection for his mother. Lest her health might be im- paired should she be removed from her native Milan, this devoted son retained many of his duties at the Ambrosiana that he might comfort his aged parent with his presence and spent several months of the year at Milan then returning to Rome. On April 25, 1918, the then Monsignor Ratti received an appoint- ment that doubtless paved his way to his present exalted position. Co-in- cident with the peace of Brest-Litovsk with the German army under General Von Besseler in control of Poland, he was designated Apostolic Visitor to that disturbed country. The Apostolic Visitor immediately made it clear that his duties were restricted merely to religious affairs and had no reference to politics. His tact and wisdom, however, en- abled him to effect a greater work for the Church in Poland than had ever been accomplished under the Czar's regime. The distribution of land among the peasants was a grave question confronting the Church after the signing of the armistice. Monsignor Ratti was instrumental in summoning a commission of Bishops who with the sanction of the Holy See and where the interests of the Church were not endangered, agreed upon parcelling out among the people the large territories held by the Church in Poland. During the siege of Warsaw by the Bolshe- viki armies in 1920, when panic stricken, both government and people were in despair and foreign missions abandoned the capital, Monsignor Ratti remained at his post, maintaining a serenity and confidence that could be inspired only by supernatural motives. While in Warsaw he was appointed titular Archbishop of Lepanto on July 3, 1920, in which office he became conspicuous for the establishment of new dioceses and the reinstitution of many bishoprics suppressed during the Czarist re- gime. His services in Poland attracted such favorable attention that it caused no surprise when a year later after his promotion to the Arch- bishopric he was further elevated to the Cardinalate and made Arch- bishop of Milan. His installation as chief shepherd of his native See Was the occasion of gratified comment from both the religious and secular press-the former dwelling upon his priestly virtues, the latter, his achievements in science, literature, and art, his love of Italy, and his invincible placidity of spirit. As may be imagined his return to Desio

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Our Holq Father The passing of a Pope and the election of his successor have never failed to engage the attention of the entire Christian World. The Church's bitterest enemies have long since realized that the Papacy passes not away despite the fact that its incumbents have at times suiered martyrdom, endured persecution, and died in exile. The king is dead, long live the king, exclaim courtiers when a monarch dies and a new ruler is declared king. But the kingdom that flourished yesterday today is fallen, the greatest empires the world has ever seen have tottered to decay, yet still resounds down the ages-the Divine promise and prediction: Upon this rock I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And behold I am with you all days even to the consummation of the world. Shorn long since of tem- poral power the Sovereign Pontiff is the undisputed spiritual head of three hundred millions of dutiful and devoted subjects. His rule is no iron sceptred sway but the tender albeit firm authority of a wise par- ent who directs his children with a view to their immortal destiny, and even men and nations claiming no allegiance to the Holy See, turn hope- ful eyes toward the Sovereign Pontiif when in great crises of the world's affairs, he essays to bring order out of chaos. The well beloved Pius X died broken-hearted at the spectacle of a world in arms. He was succeeded by the wise Benedict XV who with all the power of his office and his own engaging personality endeavored to turn men's minds toward peace. When their hearts proved stubborn he bent all eiorts toward assuaging war's inevitable horrors and his name will be ever venerated for his unique and efficient services in this direction. He was truly, A true Christian shepherd whose heart beat only for his flock. The history of no man may be written in his life time, nor can one accurately predict the genius with which he will react to his circumstan- ces. But the character of our present Supreme Pontiff is not embryonicg it has already beautifully unfolded in his achievements in Milan and Po- land where the strength of his scholarship, his invincible courage and rare tact, wrote the name of Ratti large upon the records of the world. Born at Desio in Lombardy, about ten miles north of Milan, Achille Ratti was the third of six children, three of whom survive. His father, Francesco Ratti, was a weaver by trade, his mother, Teresa Galli, was a native of Saronno. Although of the middle class yet this youth destined for such supreme dignity enjoyed the advantages of a superior education. First, as a student under the parish priest, then as a pupil at the Semi-

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was signalized by a triumphal procession in honor of the distinguished son who had come back bearing many laurels, and destined to wear one even more imperishable. True children of the Church never fear for the wisdom and discre- tion that they ever expect from the representative of Him, who has promised guidance until time shall be no more. But we are always proud to discover in the occupant of Peter's Chair those splendid attributes that make for distinguished scholarship and virile manhood. With singular pleasure, then, the Catholic world has learned of his devotion to art and science, his practical promotion of each marking him as one of the most learned men in Europe. His unusual strength lent itself to his favorite amusement of mountain climbing and more than one thrilling experience is related in connection with these excursions. His ability to speak twenty-six languages and the fact that he has written three hun- dred books, speak for him as a linguist and writer. In asceticism he sets an example to a luxurious world by rising early, fasting much, praying often and fervently. With such a figure in the Papal chair one may feel assured that the Church is blessed, and that entire Christendom will have reason to rejoice in his selection. There is no Attila marking a path of fire and blood to Rome, but there are other enemies to be met, other evils to be redressed. St. Leo the Great went forth to speak to Attila and the latter is said to have declared that an angel stood at the Pope's side, menacing with a sword of flame, so Attila retired to his own land in fear and trembling. Godlgrant that an angel be ever at the Holy Father's side to protect with a flaming sword, if need be, the rights of Holy Church, and to redress the wrongs of all suffering peoples! Then, indeed, shall the mantle of Benedict XV, the Pope of Peace, have fallen upon Pius XI, and a war-weary world shall rejoice in a real brotherhood of man for which all nations long but know not how to accomplish. -Agatha A. Cockerill, '22 ,