St Michaels College - Yearbook (Toronto, Ontario Canada)

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Che 1Retreat N the course of a scholastic year at a Catholic College many events occur, which leave a profound impression on the minds and hearts of the students, and which will re- main fresh and green in the memory, all through life. But no event is looked forward to with a more eager interest and certainly no event exerts such a lasting iniiuence as the Annual Retreat, For three whole days, forgotten are the manifold interests, dear to the hearts of ambitious and sports-loving students, throughout the halls and in the campus an unwonted stillness reigns supreme, a deep and holy silence which is the essential feature of a retreat, for only in silence can the soul contemplate the supernatural truths and hear distinctly the still small voice of God. The retreat is a time of special grace, to the students it comes as an oasis of spiritual refreshment, to strengthen and revive the weary soul in its struggle up the steep and narrow wav. To the young man who is starting his First year at college, what an inspiring, edifying sight it is to see how nobly and generously all the students respond to the spirit of retreat, the spirit of contemplation and communion with things super- natural. At first it appears incredible to him, that so many healthy, vigorous boys could for three whole days forget every other interest except the welfare of their immortal souls. He also enters into the spirit of retreat with intense enthusiasm, and when the time for the closing exercises arrives, he realizes that he has passed through the sweetest and holiest experience of his life. This year, for the hrst time in the history of St. Michael's 46 College, the retreat was held during the Michaelmas term. No sooner had we become well started in our studies after the long summers vacation than the Reverend Superior announced that the retreat would open on the eighth of October. The news that Rev. Father Yan Antwerp, of Detroit, would be in charge was received with great joy. In previous years he had shown such a kindly, but so forceful a manner, and above all, such a sympathetic knowledge of boys, their trials and weaknesses, that he won their veneration and deep affec- tion, so that the good tidings of his return filled every heart with gladness. Qn Thursday evening, at eight o'clock, the Rev. Director opened the retreat hy a sermon on the retreat itself, in unctuous and persuasive language he told us of the golden harvest of graces we ought to reap from the retreat, if we responded to its three essential conditions, namely, silence, prayer and refiec- tion. The following morning the instruction opened with these impressive words of Holy Wlritr W'hat shall it profit a man to gain the whole world if in the end he lose his soul? or l'VVliat should a man give in exchange for his soul? This was the first of several instructive sermons on the Eternal Truth, which sermons, along with numerous visits to the Blessed Sacrament. the station of the Cross and above all the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, make up the character of a retreat at a Catholic Col- lege. May this holy custom ever retain its present important place in the religious life of our Alma Mater is the fervent prayer of one who is convinced of its inestimable value, for the attain- ment of the end for which we were created. 5.1. s.

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