S. R. C. Honors Bishop Me Vinney On His 25th Anniversary Twenry -five years ago this momh , a young man , having completed the req uisite number o f years of srudy, presented himself as a candidate for ordination. During rhe act ual ceremo ny he rece ived the power to ad minister the sacraments. At the imposing of hands, he, too, jo ined the long Iin e of priests who have become participanrs in the eternal pri esthood of C hri st. In this quarter of a century, Father McVinney, following in the fo otsteps of his Master, broug ht ro life, souls dead throug h sin, comforted rhe dying and dejected , and a ided those in peril. H e endea red himself to the hearts o f all those with whom he came in contact. Hi s assignments during this rime were many and varied. H is work in p ari shes was very success ful as hi s amiab le man ner made it easy for people ro approach him. Last July, Fath er McVinn ey reached the fullness of the priesthood when he was co nsecrated Bishop of hi s own diocese, Providence. With great joy, the
people who had kn o wn and loved him as a simpl e pari sh pri est, saw him elcvarecl to the position o f Shepherd of his fl ock. Now he, roo, would be able to impose hand s on you ng ca ndida res for the office of Holy Orders. He would now guide and direct those souls who were in such a specia l way und er his jurisd iction. For the past year, our Bishop has govern ed with wisdom and prudence hi s spir itual flock. On July rhirreemh, he celebrated his silver jubilee Mass. Th e day before hi s first anniversa ry as a Bishop, he comm emorated those rwenryfive fruitful yea rs as another Christ. Certai nl y rhe mem bers of his very own diocese have many reasons for celebrating with him during hi s jubil ee year. As rhe silver years ripen inro gold, may he reap an abundam harvest in the vineyard of rhe M as ter. May hi s years as our Bishop be many and may this year, an occasion of double joy, be one whi ch will long be remembered by the Spiritual Shepherd of the diocese of Providence!
THE CYGNET VOLUME 2, NO. 1
SALVE REGINA COLLEGE SUMMER SESSION
Second Summer Session
I Fr.
Held at Salve Regina The second summer sess 1on o f Salve Regin a College open ed on June 27, 1949. The enrollment includ ed thirty-five Sisters of Mercy and ren lay srud enrs. New courses have been added to the curriculum. A business departmenr op ened which offers a Bachelor o f Arts degree in Commerce, with Sister M ary Venard , R.S.M. , B.S.S ., Ed.M., as instructor. Another new branch is the course in Library Science, taught by Sister M ar ie Therese, R .S.M., B.S. in L.S., Eci.M., which will g ive prerequisite credits towards a M aster's degree in Library Science. The other courses which lead to a Bachelor o f Arrs degree includ e: Theology, with Reverend Gerald F. Dillo n, LL.D., as instructor; Spanish and French given by Sister M ary Ig nat ius, R.S.M ., Ph.D ., Eng lish History, Si ster M ary M artina, R .S.M., Ph.D. ; Lati n, Si ster M ary Evangelista, R.S.M., Ph.D .; Trigonometry and Calculus, Sister M ary R ose Agnes, R.S.M., A.M. ; Sh a k espeare and Hi s W orks, Sister M ary Audrey, R.S.M. , A.M. ; Early Sevenreenrh Century Poets, Sister Mary Jean, R.S.M ., A.M.; and Art, Sister Mary Mercedes, R .S.M., A.M. The lay students attending are: Mrs. Loretto Murph y, Mi ss Agnes Sullivan, Miss Irene Dillo n, Mrs. Evelyn Chapma n, Miss Lilli an Conroy, Miss J ane Sullivan, Miss P auline Silvia, Miss Joa n Dwyer, Miss N orm a M attox and Mrs. Earl Booth. The Sisters atte nding for the second year are: Sister M ary Anastasia, Sister M ary Edna and Sister M ary Ludivine,
St. M ary's Academy, Bayvi ew, Riverside; Sister M ary Andrea, Sister Mary Grat ia, and Sister M ary Alexis, Sr. Michael's, Prov id ence; Sister M ary Rita Frances and Sister M ary Aquinas, Immaculate Conception, Westerly ; Sister M ary Fausti na, St. M ary's, Pawruc ker ; Sister M ary Gervase, Sr. Edward 's, Pawtucket; Sister M ary Conrad , Sacred Hearr, East Prov idence; Sister M ary Alexine, Ty ler, Providence; Sister M ary N o rbert, Cleary, Providence; Sister M ary N oel, St. Char les, W oonsocket; Sister Mar y Charl es Francis, Sister M ary Lillian, Sister Mary Sheila, and Sister M ary Charlotte, Sr. Patr ick's, Fall River; Sister M ary Francella, Sister M ary Stephanie, and Sister Mary N o lasco, H oly Family, New B ed ford ; Sister M ary Placide, St. Kili an 's, New Bedford; Sister M ary Lorenzo, H o ly N ame, N ew Bedford; and Sister M ary Faber, Cathedral, Fall Riv er. Sisters atte nding Salve R eg ina for the first time include: Sister M ary Carmelita, H o ly Family High , New Bedford ; Sister M ar ie Anna, St. Xavier's Academy, Prov i¡ clence ; Sister M ary Elene, St. J oseph's, Fall River; Sister Mary Benita and Sister M ary Emeline, SS. Peter and Paul , Fall Riv er; Sister Mary Kili an, St. M ary's Academy, Bayv iew, Riverside; Sister M ary J osephu s, Tyler, Providence; Sister M ary Vincentia, Sr. M ary's, Newport; Sister M ary Dionysia, St. X av ier's Providence;
Sister
Mary's, P a w t u cket;
M ary
Academy,
Vi ctori a, St.
and Sister M ary
J oannes, Sr. Augustin's, Newport.
JU LY 1949
Harney of Boston College Talks On English Cathedrals
On Frid ay evening, Jul y 22, R everend M art in .J. H arney, S.J., Professor of Histo ry at Bosto n College, honored th e stu de nrs ar Salve Regin a College with an inspiring and impressive lecture on Eng1ish Cathedrals. Father prefaced his lecture with an interesti ng explanation o f rhe various kinds of architecture found in almost every Cathedral in England. The vein o f similarity which weaves itself through these structures was preserved for u s by the monks, who for cenruries built and cared for them. A s each n ew architectural influence was incorporated, more embellishments were added to rhe structures. The Rom anesque or Norman is most impressive with its rounded arc hes, pondermls cylindrical piers, and flat buttresses. It gives a feeling a feeling o f solid arity and strength. This style is usu all y fou nd in the nave and rowers as they were the first to be built. At the beg inning of the twelfth century, Gothic styles began to replace rhe dar k, heavy Rom anesque. They had pl eas ing proportions, well defined outlines, graceful columns terminating in a poinrecl arc h which gave the effect o f added h eight. The earl y English Gothic had simplicity of ornamenr, tall, narrow lancer openings, and e laborate curvilinear tracery. Decorated lavishness was comomn with rib and panelled vaulting a nd slender arches to en hance the splendor o f the pointed arc h. Exteriors were marked with projecting buttresses, pinnacles, a nd steep-pitched roofs. During this phase m any chapels, the cho ir, choir screen, and high altar were added. The rriforium and clerestory were built above rhe arcade to enhance the nave. In the D ecorated P eri od richer ornamenr, made more grace ful by geo metrical and flowing tracery and so m et im es crow ned with ogee arches, was used . C lerestories were enlarged at rhe expense
of the rriforium, and many colored windows were add ed . The Perpend icu lar Peri od derived its name from the ge neral ap pearance of lines in windows, tracery, and p anelling. Both interior and exteri or walls extended over the buttresses. Complicated fan and pendam vaulting enhanced rhe bea uty of th e nave. In the Tudor Period modified perpendicu lar was used with many Ren a issance elemem s g ra ft ed on. The cl erestory and wi nd ows were increased in height and the triforium almost disappeared. Sid e a isles, chamries, chapter houses, rombs, and chapels were added to the main strLICture and sp ires, buil t upon the sq uatty R om anesq ue rowers, pierced the h eavens. Throughout the lecture Father showed beautiful slid es, explaining each cathedral as he presented it. Some of the most interesting were York, surrounded by the o ld R oman city wall. It has a g reat cenrral window, three stori es hig h, in the d ecora tive sty le. Beauti fully mad e Y o rk g lass was used in thi s widow. There are also five "Sister" windows o f g reen g lass. These windows are so precious that they were ta ken clown during both W orld W ars and hidden. W ell s Cathed ral is the m ost elabo rate. lt has a bea utiful backdrop of rolling cou ntry hills. The sc ulpture o f the statues in the ni ches is superb. The unique inventi on o f an inverted arch which helps to strengt hen the w a lls ca n be seen here at W ells. Th ere are fin e examples of flying buttresses in Norwi ch Cathedral. Its sp ire is perpendicular and irs vaulting is magnificent. Lincoln is a cathedral of g randeur, serri ed upon the o ne hill with all the low country clustered abo ut it. The vast facade screen is the longest in all England, reaching one hundred seventy-five feet across the front of the cathed ral. The decago nal chapter house and spire rearing itself up continueJ o n page 2
THE CYGNET
2
in this Age of M a ry , ro be g lorified a nd praised in her, by H is chi ldre n here on eart h. M ay rhe day soon daw n for our beloved count ry, rhe clay which will in rrurh be a g lory to the age o f M ary, rhe clay when eac h c itizen of rhe United Stares will be a fa ithful servant of C hri st and o f His 131cssed M ot her!
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THE AGE OF MARY Th uu ,Lrt the hirest am ong the ch ildren of men, .~r.Lce LS poured out upon thy Iips, t hucfme has Cod blessed thee fo rever. - Psa lm 44,
3
Th e beauty, power, and good ness of the Q ueen of H eal'e n and earth have bee n the theme of prophets, saints, and sc hola rs for thous.111ds of years. It was to he r that the 1\ ngel C:Lbriel sa id , ·· H ai l full of Crace ' " It was she who said, "H e ncefo rth all gener.Lt ions sha ll call me blessed ." Thi s lady has often c hanged the co urse of history. H er Rosary preached by Sa int Dom lll ic overth rew the Albige nsian heresy. Th e h ith of people in Ire land for centuries ILLS bee n kept a li ve by it. When Christendom was threatened by M oslem inl'asio n, the R osa ry won the b.Lttlc of l.ep.Ltllo. Under the specia l protect io n o f M ary, Colulllbus s.Lilul to the new world ; a nd e.Lch n1ght .11 sunset hi s sai lors chanted her hymn , // <til 1/ o/y Q11ee11. This tr.Ldition of begging rhe protection of i\l.JJ·I· ha' hcen followed by Am er ica n C..Lti]()IILS, wiJu \t,JVe placed OU r CO Uiltr y under 1he pruteu ion of her I mmacu late C:umept ion . \XIe wlw bcliel'e in God know rhar rhe 1\ l<Hher of Christ \1:1 s revealed he rself to pril'ilcged persons in cr itica l period s of wmld h1story. Ma ny of these apparitions \ul'e the se.Li uf .tp pro va l of H oly M other Church. In modern 11mes particubrly, the M()( her of ( ;od has made m any appeara nces, gi,·ing defi ni te m essages ro rhc world , so tlw this period is be ing ca ll ed the .. r\ ge of M.try." Th e mlc of M:t ry, M or her of God, a nd J\lcdi.1trix of .Li l Grace, is important in the world tod.ty. The recognition o f rhe high d1gnity g ranted her by God leads us .Lil 1<>1\';trd .1 better understand ing of the n1 ysteries of Christ, and a fuller parricip.llion in the f1·uirs of rhe R edemption. ·1 hose whu had the privi lege of see ing and I'Cllerat ing the Bl essed Virgi n in rhe days of her e.trt hly pi lg rimage would have recognized he r perfecrly at La Sa lerte, ar Lourdes, ;t nd ar Fati m a. Sh e h as not cha nged her c h:tracre r, a nd we who see her in the light of fa irh know thi s ro be true. 1\l.try h.ts beauty rha r charms the senses 111 order to lif t up the so ul , materia l ;:,cne,·olcnce, courtesy, delicate refinement, and deep wisdo m . These characte ri stics we .tdmi1·e in the Cospel a nd in rhe r eports of her apparit ions. ;\t F.LI im,L, the Virg in gave the message of dc1·ot1o n to her Immacu late H eart . By th i-. L()nscu.ll ion M ary promi sed rhe sa l' 'at i"n til Jll ,LllY .L nd lasting peace. H e r \\·on!, were. " In the end m y Immaculate l lc,trt wLII triump h 1 " \Ve re,t\ize the rrur h of th is because it was through 1\Ltry rhar rhe sa lvat ion o f the \\·orld was bcgu n, a nd it is throug h her th,tt it is to be co nsummated. In rhe first Loming of C:hrisr it was not necessa ry for 1\l.try to :tppea r in a ste ll a r rol e, beL.Juse me n, .ts yet so li trl e e nli g hre necl :tbtJUI her Di vi ne So n, must needs attach themsell'es stmng ly ro !-l im a lo ne. ln the second uJming of Christ ir is very neccss,try th.tt l\1.try be know n and revea led, in order to lud souls ro know , lo ve, and scr1·e her So1J. lkc.tuse she is the masrer1iecc of 1he h.tnds of Cod , H e wishes,
ln rhe leg islatio n of rh e Old Law tt was decreed that each fiftieth year was tO be ce lebrated as a jubilee year. During rh is seaso n every h ouse hold should recover its absent members, the land be return ed to its form e r owners, the H ebrew slave be set free, and clebrs be remitted . "Thou shalt sanctify the fiftieth yea r," so reads Lev it icus, XXV., 10, ··a nd sha ll procla im remission ro a ll inhabitants o f thy land : for it is the year o f Jubilee." This idea sp iritua li zed is the fund a me ntal noti o n o f rhe Christia n Jubil ee, the H o ly Yea r. Of the five doors o f rh e Latera n bas ilica o ne is a lways walled up except during the .Jubil ee year. On Christmas Eve this year Our H oly Father will ope n the Jubilee by brea kin g clown the wall s o f this d oor which wi ll be walled up aga in as soo n as rhe yea r end s. As the Pope knocks three ti m es with the si lver ha mm er he says, "Open unto m e the gates of Justice. " The sy mbo lism of rhe cerem o ny m ay be the id ea of rhe exclus io n o f Ad am a nd Eve fr om Paradise, a nd the expulsio n a nd reclam a tion of peni tents in acco rdance with the precise conditions of the Po nt ifica l decree. The inva ri abl e conditions are co nfession, Communion, and visits ro rhe four bas ilicas during a certai n period. During 1950 cou ntless sou ls will seek ro fufill the requirements of th e H o ly Year as so many did in 1300, the year of the first jubilee. Pope Piu s Xll has urged a ll who possibly can ro overcom e a ny obstacle and visit R ome in person. To eac h o ne, as he enters the porta ls o f the four great basilicas o f R ome-St. Peter 's, Sr. J ()hn Lateran, Sr. Pau l wi thour the wa ll s, St. M ary M ajor-wi ll come the knowledge o f the hea ling Spiritual Po wer of God's Chu rch. The g reat treasures of rhe fai th of Christ a nd of H is Saints are placed ar the disposal o f everyone from millio na ire ro the poorest peasant. Th e jubilee indulgence is exre ncl ecl rhe foll ow ing year ro the faithful thro ugh out rhe worl d . Thu s the prescription o f the H o ly Fat her may also be followed by members of the Church in the ir ow n pa rishes, so that rhey , roo, m ay draw from this vast reservoir of spiritual g race. The Church does not as k for much from us, merely enn obling a nd purifyi ng pract ices, which demand spec ia l faith , effort, a nd devoti o n, whi ch are, in rrurh , a slight return for so g reat a favor. The performance of these practices by so m any milli ons is a m ag nificent demonstration o f worldwide Catho lic ity. Thi s rime of Jubilee is a t ime o f remi ss ion of sins o f rhe past, a nd o f resolutio n fo r the future ; a time when all Catho lics are ca ll ed upon ro striv e to acquire in a true se nse, "rhe mind o f Christ". The m ore this H o ly Y ea r is e ntered into hea rt and mind , body a nd sou l, throu gh prayer a nd sacrifice, th e more richly is rhe share of boundless m ercy a nd grace g ive n ro her children by H o ly M other C hurch . The H oly Yea r is a ri me, rhen, whe n eac h person has rhe opport unity ro co ntribu te in a very spec ia l m a nn er, hi s own particu lar g ift ro the C hurc h, by m aking the inte ntions o f our H o ly Father, intent io ns which are fo r C hrist's wo rld , his ow n. Every Christian wh o is wel l insrrucred in h is religion rea lizes that it is founded on divine faith ; and rhar he will be fma ll y judged on the way h e h as tried ro imi tate Ch ri st's perfect love, even for His e nemies. At this time when men are forecast ing the propheci es of ato mic a nnihilatio n, when the shado ws o f unce rta inty are casting g loo m over rhe whole world , Catholics are re jo ic ing in the coming H o ly Yea r. a yea r of Chr ist ian optim ism a nd o f Christian peace. And m ay peace wir h ju stice soo n re ig n.
APPRECIATION
LADY OF CARMEL
Dea r M ary : Ymt have as ked m e ro te ll you abo ut my impressions o f Salve Regina College. Ah , what delightful o nes they are-impressions ro be cher ished forever! On that first clay, as 1 strolled abo ut the attractive g rounds which sparkled with the rich g reens o f g rass, shrubbery , and foli age of all kinds, 1 rej o iced in that peaceful quiet thar o ne assoc iates with the New England college. Later, as 1 wa lked across the wide law ns beyond the g reat beech tree, I stood entra nced. Yes, there it was-the ocean, tumb ling, whirling, swelling, and casting foamy spray aga inst the cliff walls. Far, far out I ca ug ht g limpses of sail boa ts while overhead the g ulls circled in rheir flight. W as there ever such a picturesque setti ng for a college! When I entered the m agnificent mansion, how cordia lly 1 was welco med by the friendly Sisters of Mercy. The ir enth usiasm for the co urses and their deep interest in the pupils' welfare surely reflect the excellent qu ality as well as the hi g h stand ard o f the educational service that they offe r ro all who enter. I found smiles everywhere-the si ncere cheerfu l smiles th a t comfort a nd encourage. Everywhere there is ev idence o f good will and a lovi ng kindn ess that inspires a lL What shall I tell you of the many treasures to be found here in this pala ti al school o f ed ucat io n ? Yo u must visit nne! en joy all rhe rich, rare, and precious collection th at offers such an atmosphere and background o f culture. How you will delight in the m a ny intricate carvings, the white m arble stairway, the stained g lass panels, and the tapestry walls of rich reels, delicate blues, a nd m oss green! For hours you will gaze in rap ture at the class ic symbols and designs used in woodwork, fi replaces, a nd ce iling decorations! The volumes and copies o f old editions of N ew England hi story will appeal to you. Some cl ay I hope to show you the beautiful po rtraits (o ne is o f Mary, Queen of Scots ar the age of twelve) . This brief enumeration does not begin to tell you of the wealth o f beauty that abounds here. Before 1 left, 1 vis ited the very heart of the college, the chapel, with its exquisite appo intments a nd its even greater spiritual si g nifica nce. There was a prayer o f gratitude-the pleasure o f such h appy surroundings. There was also a prayer of petition-that countless o thers, in the ge nerations to com e, would enjoy th e privilege of a Salve Reg ina educa tion. Next, I found myself in a loving, thoughtful prayer for the unselfish donor of the college, Mrs. R obert Goelet, who has just passed to her rew ard. This kind benefactress gave the estate to assist Catholic education. In do ing so, she merits not o nl y the g ratitude o f countless Christians, but the g rac io us approval of the Qu een of H eaven a nd the sweet benediction o f C hrist, the King . Come ro Salve R eg ina-a nd learn. You, too, will enj oy m y experience, "Full m easure, pressed clown, a nd overflowing."
Come in the white daw n, Fa ir Lady of Carmel, In the Aame of the sun, O'er rhe hoar-fros t seas, Out fr o m beyo nd the las t g ull 's Aying, Com e like rhe dew in the hush of the m ornin g, Fa ir Lady o f Peace.
Affectionately yours, Lillian
PEACE ( Dedicated to the memory of R o berta W illarcl Goelet)
fri end and Benefactress of Salve R egina College Ou t of the hush o f sleep 1 com e to Thee, Out fro m the dark of pain, Tho u ca llest me; In rhe ho ur of Thy desi g n M y sp iri t a nswers Thine; Such is Thy Will. For all my heart's desire To T hy H eart is bent, All my so ul aspires T o a full co nsent Unto Thy Will. Beyond the seraphim, I fly to Thee; Into the Infinite Thou ca llest me ; In the ho ur o f Thy design M y spir it answers Thine; Such is Thy Will.
Be ra in for rhe cho ked earth , ln rhe heart's deepest va ll eys; Bring the wind of th e Spirit T o leave n the seed Set thin in the fu rrows, shut fasr in rhe Night, And blosso m this wilderness, Fa ir Lady o f Li g ht. R oot the branch in rhe Vine, Though ang uish deep-rifted Lie ove r the valley as mis t on rhe seas; 0 garber this clark la nd , R oots, bra nches, a nd furr ows, To thy rest, ro thy breast, Fair Lady o f Peace. Then co me in rhe white dawn, Fa ir Lady o f Carmel , ln the Aa me of the sun, O 'er the hoa r-frost seas, Out fro m beyo nd the last g ull 's Aying, Come like rh e dew in the hu sh o f rhe m o rnlllg, Fai r Lady of Peace.
RENASCENCE
1949
The hallowed notes o f Fa ith 's o nce tuneful reed Earth, fa ithless, ceased to pipe in heavenly song, Whose haunting echo thro ug h stx centuri es long H as fa llen, catacombecl , like dried-our seed. Where shall we seek, today, o ur so ul -deep need, When storms have turned the tide o f ri g ht to wrong And chaos greets the challenge of the strong God-hungry hearts th at blindly search a nd bleed/ H ark 1 D ow n o ur winding streets, a melody Of poigna nt st irring comes, on lig ht-swift w1ngs. H eads lift, hearts ease, clark error fades out, straight Into rhe D awn. N o other song can be A s yearning as this W ord the Spirir sings Upon Hi s R eed, clear-toned, Immac ul ate.
RECAPTURE Yo u did not know that I was by your side, N or that I heard you sigh; I knew you cr ied' Y ou did not feel my ha nd in love divine, Trying in vai n e nd eavor tO clasp thine. I saw your li ttle world around yo u fa ll , 1 knew yo ur friends would leave yo uspurn your call. Yo ur fa ilures well I knew a nd sti ll I cared. But you were blind, your hardships left you scared. And then with hope near go ne, you turned to M e, At last you understood how I loved thee And with a fe w soft wo rd s I m ade you know, Ju st why I would have things happen so Through tr ials, throu g h fa lls, through all the ways of life, I've waited here to a id you in the strife. And bury now those worries neat h the sod. And rest- for you have found the H eart o f God!
FATHER HARNEY co ntinu ed fr om page l
1 fro m its wa lls presents a m as terpiece of early fourteenth century architecture. E ly in eastern E ngla nd is a fi ne example of trans ition Norman. Its- ;ofty octagonal , towers p resent a tre~clous structure In Canterbury, the prima ti'tl See, fo rmerly of the Catho lic Ch urch , irtt loses the to mb of Sa int Thomas a Becke t. Its sign ifica n bea uty is found in its ta ll isle wind o ws . Fa ther H arney rrul y made these cathedrals live fo r us by hi s interest ing histori cal anecdotes conn ected with them . His lecture be nefited the Hi story , Eng lish, a nd Art classes; a nd it afford ed a m ost p ro fitable evening for all.
THE CYGNET
STUDENTS OF I 9 4 9
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SUMMER CLASS College Commuter Contemplates UNFINISHED BUSINESS OFFERS THANKS
Scenic Beauty Of Ochre Point
Since my first inrroduction to the world of library science I have felt that I owe an apology to that vast number who make up the noble army of librarians. The reason路 for this is the fact that in my childhood and through my adolescencethose happy days when 1 could spend all my le isure hours readin g. reading, reading-! was never aware of the great art it rook just to be a librarian. To my childish mind the librarian was a very handy person who always knew where to find rhat wanted book but in mu ch the same way that a department store clerk knows where to find the right b o lt of cloth or the right size shoe. I even thought that it might be nice to sit behind a desk some day and have all the time in the world to read books. Since " Wisdom comes with o ld age", these erroneous ideas prefaced my first association with the real job of a libra ri a n. Now I have come to realize that books are p laced on shelves only afrer being exposed to a long process of col laring, scamping, pocketing, access ioning, classifying, and cataloguing. Already, hundreds of books have passed through my hands. Some of rhem have looked ranralizing and tempting but rhere seems to b e no time a ll ored for any perusal beyond the ride page. The work-room adjoining our library is a scene of consranr acriviry. Somewhere out of rhe secret recesses of a hidden storeroom our library science teacher brings more and more work ro be done. There a re srill piles and p iles of books patienrly awaiting rhe long exacting process of being made ready for circulation. There are empty sracks awaiting a "ca ll to arms" when our ever growing library will expand further beyond irs limits. From our book jackets we have found jusr the right one to label our work. Wh a t wou ld be a more appropriate ride than "Unfinished Business". Somed ay ir will be finished-chen I wonder-will rhere be rime ro read?
GRATITUDE The sru-..:nts of the summer session express s incere grarirude to the Fac ulty for
Anorher year has passed; a year of hopes realized, a year of dreams fulfilled. lr has wirnessed rhe opening of Mercy Hall, a new building wirh residence facilities, wirh beautiful gym a nd completely firred science and home economics departments. It has seen many Sisrers of Mercy assembled here ar lovely Salve Regina College for another happy and educational summer. These foregoing evidences of rhe advancemenr of rhe Sisrers of Mercy in our province, in rheir daily striving ro bring many sou ls ro Christ, reAecr g lory and credit upon one whose unriring efforts have made her beloved by all. Morher Mary Hilda, R.S.M ., Morher Provincial of the Sisrers of Mercy of rhe province of Providence, has worked unceasingly for many years to furth er Catholic education in Rhode Island. Besides being rhe guiding hand behind rhe many new buildings erecred, she has seen thar her S isrers h ave had rhe besr education possible, so as to be equipped for rh e no ble work rhar is rheirs. This rhen, is rhe reason rhar we are srudying here in rhe college by rhe sea. Ir is wirh hearts overAowing wirh grarirude rhar we say rhank you to Morher Provincia l, who has made rhis summer possible, and wish her many more years as productive as rhis pasr one has been .
ETERNAL LOVE Whence comes this love thar flames beyond compare Contenr
to
seek, nor self, nor resr, nor
ga tn, Bur burns more ardenrly in quesr o f p ai n ; And genrly soothes sad hearts that sigh with care The same, whose burdens it now wills ro share? Hath it no peace? Yet why would ir so deign To yield its course to sorrow's better reign Then rise again in purity a ll fair ?
rhe very inreresting courses offered rhis
Of greater Love such noble love is born To live in sacrifice aglow with fire
summer, for the planned tours, for the enjoyable lecrures, and for rhe evenings
Th at in this joy it may yer soar above To heave n's bliss, in splendor of that morn
of entertainment which afforded delightful
When to rhe g lory of irs heart's desire
relaxation.
It is consumed by rhe Eternal Love.
All is quiet in rhe peaceful , slumbering Ciry by rhe Sea when suddenly rhere emerges in rhe stil lness of rhe d awn a veritaHP flock nf ap irared white-throated blackbirds from <;ut their cozy nest. Would they co uld spread their wings and rhus surmount impenetrab le stonewalls to quicken rheir early north east flight. Just one seems only semi-perturbed, morher blackbird who larches up the nesr and joins rhe scarrered Aock wirh a n umbrella ru cked under her wing-coaxing Jupiter Pluvius. There is no arrempr ro soar heave nw ard bodily, all cling to terra firma, for this is a group of Newport summer commuters dazed ly, sleepily, rhough sub-consciously hurriedly, starring our ar sunrise. Ir is nor ro carc h a bus, a plane, a raxi, or a ferry , bur ro avoid rhe dire pena lty of a weighty handicap-o ne commuter lare and rhirry-five compani o n commuters ro be aroused be for e su nrise. Who would dare be the offending commuter ? I shudder. Plodding and plugging, picke ty -stepping and srrid ing, passing and lagging, rhe tortoises a nd the hares, the willowy a nd the pillowy, have but one com mon goa l-l musr a rrive on time. Inside the welcome, m ass ive, ornamental iron gares, the vestibu le of an earrh ly Parad ise, rhey musr still be somewhat wary; there remains bur one more lap if the lefr path is chosen, bur choose the ri g ht and the co mmuter is engulfed under a porte-cochere ad ding forr y paces to the morning Marathon before release. A tugging on rhe heavy door o f rhe entrance, (charity demands a reluctant glance back wirh a sincere hope of seei ng no one), a srrong pull on the second door , the haza rd o f indispensa ble, problematic luggage, and, the goal is achieved. Almosr immedarely on rhe tranquil convent air rolls rhe prayerful bell of the Ange lus, a nd rhe sofr, sweet voices o f rhe happy commuters join the already assembled co mmunity in the response to 'The Angel of rhe lord declared unro Mary". The ho ur of prayer has begun in the Divine Presence. Wha r must H eave n be' Every hour until the close of day, commuters wend rheir way to a nd fr om Theol -
ogy, Library Scien ce, Spanish, French, English , Mathemati CS, ll istmy, Art, ami Subjects in Commerce, hurry1ng and '>Currying. worryine ~1 nd llurrvine Ar sunset, th<.: home\\' a rd blllllld commuting affords more le isure, more soci,t路 bility, more appreciation of the enlh anti ng beau ries of the surrounding I. Jndscape. Often time even encourages .t more ci rcuirous journey , a st roll c ircling the terr.1ce through parhs with sentinels of high oval evergreens and brightened by hu ge urn s of gay flowers and fern s, 10 view and lisren to th<.: restless or quiet t\ tl.llltic ebbi ng a nd rising on a rugged rocky coast; aw<.:d at its vastness, 1ts m.q esty, and its power. Procrast inating, bu t f1nally pmceeding. the route passes through a1路c nu es of wide grassy-bordered walk s slud ul by to\\'ering arches of srurdy b<.:eches. m.tplcs. o.tks and e lms. Easr, west, nonh, or so u th, the view is enticing. lkwtiful g.1rdens of multi-colored blossoms, a rbors of l harming, bright pink rambl ers, luxuri .tJlt hedges, trimmed very ~trtist i c. tll y in ~11 rracrive a nd unique forms dispL1y their charm. Allurin g, broad, winding roads tempting ly beckon the tr.tvclcrs to venture into und iscovered reg io ns. H igh forbidding sronew.tlls st.tlwart ly defy any inrrusions and low friendly ones, burdened with the herculea n usk of supporring low or very high unadmn<.:d or elaborately decorated iron fences, invite a peck in to the m ystifyi ng ll'onderLllld beyond. Th<.: solid , long-hinged g.1rden dtlor mysteriously recessed 111 ~~ formidable stonewal l is inmguing: ~ llmth er f.lnl:lstictlly she ltered in ,t pri cisely trim med , high, ov.tl portal in the hed.~e bids us admire irs quaintness. M agnificent, maj<.:stic, orn.tmCJJt.tl iron gates faithfully guard the entr.1nces to rhese re:llms of g ra nd eur, buut)', ,tnd wealrh. Occasionall y a pbin, simple g.tte h umb ly perform s its duty, .tnd is nor passed unnoriced. l r is through nature's e nchanting f.tirylands wirh discoveries ever new. eve r in spiring, ever inviting, ever f.1scinating rhat the Sa lve Regina sum m er commuters happily n路avcl ro ami fr o m their gorgeous Fren ch chat<.:au b y the sea to their cozy. welcome, little En g li sh domicile by the s ide of the road.
4
THE CYGNET
IN REVIEW GUIDANCE THROUGH LITERATURE b;· Lillit111 F. Crmroy l.ong before rhe rerm "bibli orherapy" became a shibboleth among librarians and reachers, books were being used in rhe Eng! ish class room ro correct character defect s a nd ro set before young minds wor rhy ideal s for imitation. Bib! iotherapy was indeed be ing used by one whom it is our pri vilc:ge ro have with us this summer, Mi ss Lillian F. Conroy, an emhusiasr ic g uid a nce reacher who has come to Sal ve Reg ina Coll ege to add to the rich c ui ru ra I backg round which has been hers from childh ood , that she mig ht share it wirh the boys and girls whom she is to reach in rhe fall. A graduate of R adcliffe College, Miss Conroy did her graduate work at H ~ trv a rd under Dr. J ohn M arks l3rc: wc:r. Her mas ter 's thesis, "Specificat ion s for Sc hool Fi lms," was pub lished in l:'dl!ctltirnt<IL Screen, and her name and work a ppeared in a "Bibli ography in the U se o f Vi sual Aid s in Education " prepared by J ose ph ). Weber, Ph.D. for that magaz1n e. Then followed a period of reaching in rhe high schools of Brookline and Lexing ton , Massachu setts, and W arw ick , Rhode Island . Several summers' experience as gu id :uKe counse llor in a gi rls' ca mp added ro he r knowledge of young peo pl e a nd dee pe ned her love for and inreresr in rhem. During these years, roo, Mi ss C:o moy w~ 1 s working on special educa ti o nal re s ear c h , "Guidance Throug h Lire ra rure," whi c h is now ready for pub] 1ca rion . In her in troduction to this new work, which is a complete text for character trainin g, the author stares rhar her purpose is to g ive rh e pupils a so und and pract ica l trainin g in se lf-guidance. The book is divided into eight separate units, eac h corn plere wi th Ii rerary selections, sugg ested ac ri viries, thou g ht questions, sampk a ppli cation s, a nd reports, and suggest io ns for furth er read in g. The p lan is nc: x iblc: e no ug h ro be used with slow or bri g h t g ro up s, and ample provision is mad e for individual differences. The capriqn~ used .tnd idca l.'i prese n ted :trc: S/.-,;
lnt ereiliup, ll o111 eJ th e \J:i'h ole If/ oriel Like.1 to Vi.1 it- Worthy H ome Membership ; W ord1. DeedJ. and Action.r Painted in G old- Ethi cs; T he M ore Kn ou•ledp,e tbe li e!ler Sen ·ice-Educarion; Po11'ei'J i11 tbe 'f'ijJ! of Om· Fiup,erJ-Vocarions; llajJJJy fiye.i all(( S!Nrdy BodieJ for El •eryrme- Hc:a lrh ; lf/ hore StatNe of LibertyCi t ize nship ; 1/ajJ jJinerJ ir \J:i'e/1-eamed Lei 111re T i111e- Worrhy Use of Leisure Tim e:; }oy t:1·eryday T hrrJIIp,hottl the Y ear - Avocati ons, Recreations, H obbies. The: merhod is quire simp le. A tho ug h tful readin g o f the literary selection is fo llowed by a cl ass room di scussio n of the id ea ls presemed . Four s ituations are give n a fte r eac h uni t ro sho w how the id eals mi g ht be: a ppli ed to personal problems. The sr ude nt is the n urged ro prepare a repo rr w irh the he lp o f reacher and par ents whi ch will g ive evidence tha t th e lesso ns and id eal s learned have been transla ted inro hi s own everyday life siruarions. Many exa mp les of students' reactions ro rh e sugges ted procedure are included whi ch show rhat rhi s method of guidance appeal s ro boys and girl s. Self gu id a ncc bc:co m cs for th e m a pleasa nt and cluracter building ad vc nrure. Al l teac hers who arc inre resred in th e: g rowth of boys a nd girls w ill find rhi s boo k a valuable a nd com plete: g uid e in cha rac ter tra ining through I ire rat urc.
LIBRA RIANS ENJOY FILM In conn ect ion with the Libra ry Science class, the stud e nts of rhc college en joyed "For l3crrc r Grades and Fun Too," a film srr ip pur o ur by th e American Library Assoc iation ro m a ke c lea r rhe three fun ct io ns o f rhe library. lr was, therefore, di v ided i nro three log ical sections. The first dca lt wi th the obtain ing of books for ass ig nm en ts and showed very sy ste ma t ica ll y how to use rhc card cara log, readers· g uid e, a nd pamp hl et rack. The second brough t our the assista nce rhe libra ry ca n be in suppl ying information in the fi e ld o f ho bbi es a nd sporrs. The rhird showed how o ne find s book s for enJ Oym ent by u ~ i n g rh e ca rd cata log.
NEW GREGG COURSE GIVEN AT COLLEGE In Jul y, 1948, on rhe sixt iet h a nniv ersa ry of the publication o f Gregg Shorthand, M rs. J ohn R obert Gregg, Pres ident of the Gregg Publishing Company, promised to a ll interested reache rs, a new s imp lified presentation of the principles of Gregg Shorthand. April , 194 9, found the Simplifi ed G regg Shorthand on the marker. This publi cation brought together, a t Salve R eg ina, an in terested group who are pursui ng with cnrhusiasm this n ew orga ni zatio n which guarantees success to rhose not aiming for hi g hest speeds, yet provides for those who a mbi tion first place in t he stenograp hic profess ion. Among rhe multiple changes, the simp li fi ca tion provides for fewer units- 45 lessons wi ll now cover the complete th eory presenta tion. Of the 3 19 Brief Forms which formerly taxed the student's memory to the limit, 156 on ly have bee n retained- just under half of the or ig ina l number. Disjoined word beginnings and word endings have been eli min ated o r s impli fied, thereby reducing the memory burden of the learne r. Phrasi ng principles, abbreviating devices, reversing principles, rules, all have been lessened or have enti rely disappeared . Simply, there is a reduced lea rning load- less of everything to Jea rn - bur longer ourlines which will eventua ll y be written more rapidly because they are more easily constructed. The six weeks' course will find rhe theory of rhe Simplified M an ual comp leted , and rhe "S implifi ed" e nrhusiasrs ready to share with their srudems the Simp lifi ed Gregg devo id of so m any, many special forms, ru les and except io ns whi ch up to rhis rime have served ro bewi lde r the beginner.
THE ANNUNCIATION " Love mus t make rhe cand le fit for rhe
name."-Dctnt e. Dark shadows put the day ro ro ut, N ig hr hangs her crescent lantern our, And lighrs ir with a tip of si lvered su n ; While down a d a rkened Nazareth street An a ngel wings on message fleer T o he r who speaks, "To me, 0 be it done According to rhy word ." For she, Conceived immaculate, sha ll be A pure wax candle fitted for rhe Fl ame That lighrs the hemisphere of dark And g lows in ever w ide nin g arc Upon rhe hearts' horizon lines, ro frame The supple wax of human mold , To fit, to form , ro flex, ro ho ld Pure cand les, stro ng wir h Love's eternal grace. The sou ls, released from cleansi ng fire, R ece ive their Ultimate D esire To burn with light of g lory from His Face.
HISTORIC NEWPORT The summer srudenrs of Salve R egi na College were afforded a pleasurable hour on Wednesd ay evening when Mr. J oh n H. Greene, Jr. , Chief C lerk of the Supreme Co urt, and Secretary of the Newport Histori cal Society, lecrured ro the student body on T he Bep,imzingr of N ewp ort . Mr. Greene's able treatment of his sub ject fascinated his listeners as with st irring cnrhusiasm, he relived and depicted vividly rhe early beginnings, the growth, dec line, a nd restora tion of this o ld city, for m a ny genera t ions th e ho me of illustri o us America ns, a nd the scen e of dec isive hi storical action . Of spec ial interest to his audience was the stirring account of Newport's va lor in the struggle for rei igio us freedom, a nd th e courageous leadership of J eremy C lark 111 prescrv mg It. Mr. Greene's account, replete with instructiv e fact a nd dramatic inc ident, added g rea tl y ro the students' a ppreciation of rhe histori c sire on whi ch rhe college is s irua rcd .
SUMMER SESSION TOURS TOURO SYNAGOGUE
REDWOOD LIBRARY
On Friday, July 15, a small group of Sisters from Salve Regina College visited the historical T ouro Synagogue in Newport. They were received cordially by R abbi Theodore Lewis who gave a brief historical sketch o f the Synagogue, the o ldest synagogue in the United Stares. The ori g inal Jewish serrlers in Newport came from Spain a nd Portugal. For several years they carried o n their religious worship in private houses, until their number was sufficient to erect a synagogue. Because they were poor, they sent letters to other Jewish congregations asking for a id. Some se nt money ; others, furnishings, such as rhe lamp which burns perpetually before the Holy Ark, candelabra and ca ndlesticks, and wax for tapers. In 1763, the Synagogue was dedicated ; and in 1946, it was designa ted a National Shrine. The plans for the building were made by Peter H arriso n, the architect who des igned rhe Redwood Library. To adhere to the Jewish traditions, it was necessary rhat the building be erected at an acute angle to the street, instead of parallel to it. It is custom ary in Jewish Synagogues to have the Ark in the east, toward Jerusalem. Traditionally, roo, the sears are alo ng the north and south walls, similar to the cho ir-sta lls of a convent or monastery. There were no na ils used in the co nstruct ion, iro n symbolizing the destruction and the breaking down of the spiritual. Instead wooden pegs, representing gro wth a nd continuity, were employed . The twelve columns supporting rhe structure, fi g ures o f the Twelve Tribes of Israe l, are each individual tree trunks. In rhe Jewish Synagogue the Ark is rhe ce nte r aro und which all things else converge. Above the Ark is a painting o f the Ten Commandments, depicting the first Hebrew characters of each comm andm ent, and th e whole surmounted by three crowns, typifying the Torah, the priesthood, a nd rhe r oyal House of David. This pai nrin g is said ro be an o ri g inal by Gilbert Stuart. I r is related rhar, in the days of the British occ upation of Newport during the Revolutionary War, the Syn agogue was spared desecration beca use the Red coats, o n entering, saw the crow ns above the H oly Ark and thought rhar the building was th e property of the British Crown . Whe n the J ews left Europe, they were uncertain of rhe reception they wou ld meet with in the New World. Accustomed ro persecution in other lands, they prep ared fo r ir in America. There is an underground escape p assage leading from the center o f rhe Synagogue to rhe street. Happily, this runnel was never used for irs original purpose. It is said that the o nl y occas io n o n which it was used w as as a n a id to runaway slaves seeking the safety of Canada via rhe Underground R ai lroad. R abbi Lewis g racio usly answered the questions co ncerning the symbolism and the cerem o nies of various religious festivals of the Jewish religion. The visit was all roo short for the Sisters, who felt themselves transported to the small Synagogue of Nazareth where the "Son o f J oseph the Carpenter" read from the scrolls o f the ancient Jewish Septuagint.
The members o f the Libra ry Science class recently enjoyed a co ndu cred to ur through the o ldest library in conti nu ous use in rhe country, the Redw ood Library, whi ch was founded in 1747 by Abraham Redwood. Mr. M a nly, the present librarian, m er us ar the door of rhe picturesque D o ric temple which forms the front o f the prese nt structure, a nd was most gracious to us as he call ed to our attentio n a ll the p o ints which he knew would be of interest to library srudenrs. As we walked through the book-lined rooms and were told the story of eac h collect io n, we were struck by the "libra ry atm osp here" which prevailed everywhere. We noted the stra nge system o f classification whi ch, the librar ia n ro le! us, was started ove r a hundred years ago a nd co ntinued unch anged throughout the centu ry. Even the ca rd caralog had a quaintness abour it that added to the charm of the place. We were allowed to handl e some o f th e century-old tomes a nd ro ope n drawers containing a ncient maps a nd charts. Our guide unl oc ked rhe door o f th e President's Room a nd a llowed us ro enter a sanctuary whi ch houses the or iginal collection of books. Imag ine our feelings as we touched a nd even ope ned so me o f th e boo ks which were over two hundred years o ld' Mr. M a nly told us that many o f the boo ks o f rhe o ri g inal collection were destroyed o r stolen by the British soldiers during the R evo lutio nary W ar, bu r rhar some were replaced by King George after the wa r. Bur rhc best treat came when into our hand s was placed a b ea ut ifull y illuminated copy of "Our Lady 's H ours", the work of a Flemish m o nk of the eleven th or p oss ibly the tenth century. Wi th g reat reverence we turned irs p archment pages ro examine the exquis ite colorin g and lettering. W e shall nor forger rhis interesting experience, for w hi ch we are deeply indebted and g rateful to o ur g u ide, Mr. M anly.
ART ASSOCIATION The Art C lass a ttended the 38th Annual Exhibition of the Art Association of N ew po rt. There was a notable displ ay o f fine oi l pa intings, water colors, sc ulptu res, prints, a nd drawings. Visitors are as ked to vote for a favo rite piece of work. The members o f the class found this rather difficult, as there were so many oursrand ing pieces. Amo ng these were "Surf," by R ay Huntsman, "Death of Horse," by M auri ce Kish, "En Plein Air," by Emily W a ite Manchester, "Gus," by Edward G. H arriso n, "Lilies" and "Spring in rhe Air," by Goggy. Among the beau tiful water colors were "Indigo Bird and Iris," by E. von S. Dingle. "Chartres the M agni ficent," by J o hn T ay lor Arms, a print, was very hig hl y apprec iated by the class.
ALMY POND HUNT CLUB It was o ur privilege to visit o ne o f the m ost unique museums o f Newport "The Almy Po nd Hunt Club. " On the banks o f Almy Po nd stands a picturesque little cabin which or iginally was a boys' club bur instead o f aband o ning it as most boys do, ir grew into a h obby house for three members. Mr. Raynor, o ne o f rhe members, mer us and cond ucred us thro ugh their treasure h ouse which indeed is a tribute to them. We were first taken t hro ug h the garden, a m ass of multi -colored fl owers of a ll sizes and shapes with statues here a nd there, g iving the effect of a villa i n so me qui et valley. Upon entering the cabin, we passed through a tiny hall, the walls of which were bedecked with trin kets from W o rld W ar II, helmets, arms of every description, fl ags a nd embl em s. The first room, the Grand Salon, was laden with the treasures which would m ake a ny man envious. Birds, caught a nd stuffed by one of irs members, were perched h ere and there. On o ne wall hung the history of the incandescent lamp, from irs infancy to rhe present day bulb. Around rhe room was built a shelf co nta ining a long line o f mu gs bea ring the names of many illustrio us men of Newport. Another wall held hunting implements of every age, shape, and descriptio n. Skis, snowshoes, cloc ks, o ld slot-machines, lanterns, harness, stirrups, almost e very imaginable antique. W e were shown so me of the earliest rypes of fir e extinguishers a nd the earliest types o f fire exting uishers a nd a host o f fire helmets daring back to the eighteenth ce ntury. Lanterns which once hung o n th e fire wagons decked the walls. From the window, we gazed our in to the pond a nd rhe most g lor io us s ight mer o ur eyes. Hundreds of pond lilies varying from a pure white to a deep pink floated through the water. These roo, were a p art o f rhe project a nd it is the ai m o f these collectors that the whole pond some day will be a fl oati ng mass o f bea uty. W e are deeply grate ful for this trip into the past a nd m ay these loyal members conti nue their collections that some day will be a lasting memorial to them!