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

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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 ,

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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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Class Poem We have come again to the hill-top- It is not the first we have passed, It is not a lofty mountain, Nor a halt that shall be our last. 'Tis but a spot to linger And breathe the freshness of Spring Ere We gather our breath for the journey That to-morroW's dawn shall bring. But to-day is our Alma Mater's i We must live in her arms to-day- To-morrow her heart will be sadder As she bids us Godspeed! on our way. But to-day, there's a Wonderful fragrance Of lilies so straight and so white, Pray that none of them wilt or falter In the breath of the coming blight. Pray that none of the high endeavor, That none of the purpose strong, Be lowered before the onslaught Of a world that knows not wrong. Pray God that we bear our motto In hearts that will never quail, NON NOBIS SOLUM be ever The pledge that our love ne'er fail. The love that is safe in eHort, That Wastes not a day in dreams, That lives for the souls around it- That is real-not only seems, That We follow our noble Leader, Preaching in act and in life, Ready for every occasion, Loving the Truth-the Right.