USA > Massachusetts > Franklin County > Century of Catholicism in western Massachusetts; being a chronicle of the establishment, early struggle, progress and achievements of the Catholic church in the five western counties of Worcester, Hampden, Hampshire, Berkshire and Franklin > Part 17
USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Century of Catholicism in western Massachusetts; being a chronicle of the establishment, early struggle, progress and achievements of the Catholic church in the five western counties of Worcester, Hampden, Hampshire, Berkshire and Franklin > Part 17
USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Century of Catholicism in western Massachusetts; being a chronicle of the establishment, early struggle, progress and achievements of the Catholic church in the five western counties of Worcester, Hampden, Hampshire, Berkshire and Franklin > Part 17
USA > Massachusetts > Hampshire County > Century of Catholicism in western Massachusetts; being a chronicle of the establishment, early struggle, progress and achievements of the Catholic church in the five western counties of Worcester, Hampden, Hampshire, Berkshire and Franklin > Part 17
USA > Massachusetts > Berkshire County > Century of Catholicism in western Massachusetts; being a chronicle of the establishment, early struggle, progress and achievements of the Catholic church in the five western counties of Worcester, Hampden, Hampshire, Berkshire and Franklin > Part 17
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37
The fact that the site was a gift was not the only consideration that influenced the Bishop in his selection. The healthfulness of the location and the natural beauty of the surrounding scenery were controlling motives. The spot, too, was con- sidered at the time consecrated in local history. Near it the first humble wigwam church of Worcester had been erected by John Eliot, for his Indians, in 1674. The Fathers of the Society of Jesus. who had long been established in Mary- land. were invited to organize the courses of
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FENWICK HALL (Left) AND O'KANE TOWER (Right )
study according to the curriculum of their college at Georgetown, in the District of Columbia, and to take entire charge of the teaching.
On the second day of November, 1843, classes were organized in what was then known as the "Seminary of Mount St. James," and were there continued until January 13, 1844, when the first college building was completed. The cornerstone of the latter was laid by Bishop Fenwick on June 21, 1843. Speaking of this event, the Catholic Expositor of August, 1843, describes the purpose of the new institution as "the advancement of the arts, the cultivation of the sciences and the pro- motion of patriotism, morality, virtue and religion." The same publication describes the first building as a brick structure 104 feet in length
and four stories in height "with a fine portico on the centre of the front." The first annual exhibi- tion was held July 29, 1844. The saintly Bishop Fenwick died August 10, 1846, and was buried, in compliance with his own wish, in the college cemetery. He had always taken a deep interest in the success of the college, and a few days before his death, the 6th of August, he had ceded to the Fathers full control and possession of the institu- tion, buildings and grounds, free of incumbrance.
A class of the students who had entered in 1843 and 1844, had advanced to "Philosophy," by which name the Senior year was then known, and were ready for graduation in 1849. The college, therefore. in that year applied to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for the privi-
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lege of incorporation. The petition for a charter was presented in March, 1849, and was acted upon early in April. The petitioners were dis- appointed. The charter was not granted until the year 1865, when the sobering influence of the Civil War had caused all differences of opinion in regard to the college to be set aside.
On the afternoon of July 14, 1852, eight days before the annual Commencement, a fire broke out, which destroyed the whole of the central building. This calamity not only suspended the class exercises, but threatened the very existence of the institution. The Rt. Rev. John B. Fitz- patrick, who was then Bishop of Boston, sympa- thized heartily with the Faculty, and determined that the college, which had been a monument to his predecessor's zeal for Christian education, should not perish. On the 3rd of October, 1853, the college, enlarged and remodeled, was again ready to receive students. The effect, however, of such a calamity on the young college is shown by the interruption in graduating classes from 1852 to 1858.
The interesting event of incorporation was not long delayed. A petition was pre- sented to the Legislature in the session of 1865. A bill was framed to meet the exigencies of the case, read a third time in the House of Representatives on March 21, and passed without opposition. The Senate confirmed the action of the lower body on March 23, and on the following day the Governor affixed his signature.
THE charter granted to "The Trustees of the College of the Holy Cross, in Worcester, Massachusetts," with other privileges, the power "to confer such de- grees as are conferred by any college in this Commonwealth, except medical de- grees." This placed the college on an equality, before the Commonwealth, with all other institutions of a similar character. It was no little gratification to the Faculty that their earnest devotion to the cause of religion and education was acknowledged by the State, and it was a source of pride to the students to be able to receive from their Alma Mater, in her own words and over her own seal, the testimony of her approval.
Loyola Hall, dormitory build- ing.
THE seat of the college is on one of the highest
of the eminences surrounding the City of Worcester. Towards the north, this "Hill of Pleasant Springs" commands an extensive and most delightful view of Worcester, at the time of the founding of the college a town of hardly 10,000 inhabitants; now a bustling city of more than 190,000, and next to Boston, the largest city in Massachusetts. Over and beyond its many towers and spires and other elevations, looms aloft in the background, against the northern horizon, the summit of Mt. Wachusett, the sec- ond highest point in Massachusetts. The educa- tional character of the environment is indicated by the prominent sites of Clark University. Worcester Polytechnic Institute, the State Nor- mal School, Worcester Academy, and seven local High Schools. three of these under Catholic con- trol. The view thus afforded of the busy city. with its succession of hills and intervening val-
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leys, make the location of Holy Cross College most charming and interesting. To this delightful prospect, exceptional advantages of pure air and perfect drainage are added by the high elevation, while the graceful terraces to the north and west of the college buildings furnish recreation grounds that are unsurpassed in every respect. Impartial visitors do not hesitate to declare that for healthfulness of location and for educational environment Holy Cross is exceptionally favored. The old buildings, whose accommodations satis- fied the student of a quarter of a century ago, have been enlarged and improved in many ways, and new buildings have been constructed in recent years. An improvement which at the time was considered of vast importance was the raising and extending of the east wing of the main building, Fenwick, in the spring of 1875. This wing, the only part of the building spared by the fire in 1852, gave place in time to a structure one hun- dred and twelve feet long, with an east frontage of ninety feet. The first and second stories are used for the students' dining halls; while the Sodality chapel is on the third floor and occupies the space of two stories. Adjoining this wing, on the southeast corner, is the infirmary.
A later and more modern extension, now known as "the O'Kane Building," was completed in the spring of 1895, and formally opened in September of the same year. In the basement is the students' recreational hall-most modern in every detail. The chemistry department is pro- vided with all the necessary conveniences for work in general, analytical, organic and physical chemistry. The lecture-rooms and the six labora- tories are specially designed and constructed for the purposes for which they are intended. The class-rooms, on the two floors above the recrea- tional hall, are spacious and lightsome, and the corridors, long, wide and cheerful. The two floors above the classrooms are reserved for the private rooms of students. The rooms are pleasantly situated, with east and west exposures, and are equipped with all modern conveniences.
A more recent building is "Alumni Hall," which was opened in September, 1905. It contains nearly one hundred living rooms for students. The lower floors also provide ample space for the enlarged Physics department, thoroughly equipped with the latest and most approved con- veniences and modern scientific apparatus, with
lecture-rooms, museum and laboratories, in addi- tion to other classrooms for general use. The building is provided with the most modern heat- ing and ventilating equipment.
A LATE addition to the college buildings is "Beaven Hall," the generous gift of the late Right Reverend Thomas D. Beaven, D.D., and the clergy of the Springfield diocese. This new building was opened in September, 1913. Sixty- seven living rooms for students occupy the three upper floors, while the lower floor houses the Biology and Geology Departments. The building is entirely fireproof and equipped with the latest improvements for lighting, heating and ventilation.
In September, 1922, Loyola Hall, one of the most modern of college buildings, was opened to the Senior Class. The building, similar to Alumni Hall, is fireproof throughout. It contains nine class-rooms on the two lower floors and one hun- dred living rooms on the three upper floors.
At the eastern extremity of the campus, majes- tically overlooking the college dormitories, is St. Joseph's Chapel, a memorial to Holy Cross men who paid the supreme sacrifice for their country.
The Dinand Library, a monument to the intel- lectual history of Holy Cross College, was form- ally opened on Wednesday, November 2, 1927. The building occupies the space between O'Kane Hall and Beaven Hall, and has accommodations for more than 350,000 volumes.
T THE system of education is one in use in all the colleges of the Society of Jesus. and is guided by the principles laid down in the famous Ratio Studiorum. This body of rules and suggestions has been elaborated by centuries of experience and has been judged worthy of attentive study and hearty approbation by the ablest scholars. One of its greatest advantages is that it secures, what is an essential requisite for success in educational work, natural, thorough and effective methods of teach- ing, employed uniformly by all the teachers.
It is not a system of ever-changing theory and doubtful experiment, but one on which have been built the characters of the world's best scholars and statesmen for centuries. It meets the demand for modern improvements by wise adaptation and readjustment. Instead of abolishing prescribed studies and increasing elective courses, it advo- cates a wise, deliberate and prudent election by
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men whose profession is education, not an un- wise, sudden and rash choice by inexperienced youth just entering on the process of education.
The natural sciences and modern languages are by no means overlooked or neglected in this sys- tem, but the ancient languages and their litera- tures are still retained as prescribed studies, and, with mathematics and philosophy, form the "essential trinity of courses," which Prof. Ladd of Yale rightly considers "absolutely necessary for a truly liberal education."
While attending to the mental development of the student and safeguarding his moral charac- ter, the college authorities have not overlooked the importance of physical training. The student is provided with football and baseball fields, run- ning track and tennis courts. Not only are physi- cal instructors and experienced coaches and train- ers provided, but all this is under the supervision and direction of a member of the faculty, who will see that the students do not become so en- grossed in athletics that their studies may be neglected or their health suffer in any way.
With regard to all forms of college activities the policy of the college authorities has always been that the student's first duty in college is attention to study, and that no other student activity should be allowed to interfere with this main purpose of college life.
One of the most important features in the sys- tem of Jesuit education is the formation and training of character. Hence a closer supervision is exercised over the students than is usual at the present day in most of the large colleges; but an effort is made to exclude from this supervision
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every harsh feature. The professors live with the students, mingle with them constantly, interest themselves in their sports, direct their studies and in every way assume the relation rather of friends than of taskmasters. This constant familiar, personal communication, on kindly terms, between professor and student, is a power- ful factor in the formation of character. The age of the student is. also considered, and in the later years of his college course a large degree of liberty is granted him. With regard to younger students the supervision is as close as any parent or guardian could reasonably expect. With regard to all, the enforcement of discipline, while mild and considerate, is unflinchingly firm, especially when there is question of the good of the student body or the reputation of the college.
As the greatest help in maintaining good dis- cipline is found in the appeal to conscience and religion, special attention is paid to religious instruction. Christian doctrine is one of the prescribed studies in every class, supple- mented by weekly lectures and conferences. The students are re- quired to comply with their re- ligious obligations regularly, and to make annually a spiritual re- treat of three days. Sodalities and other associations are also pro- vided for the fostering of piety.
Dinand Library, named for the former president, Rt. Rev. Bishop Joseph W. Dinand, S.J.
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Assumption College
Worcester, Massachusetts
Conducted by the Augustiman Fathers of the Assumption
HE Assumption College at Worces- ter has rounded out a quarter of a century in our midst. Founded in 1904, it added to its buildings in 1907, 1912, 1921 and 1926, an index of growth and expansion which indicates that this young establishment of the Augustinian Fathers of the Assumption filled a real need, and is constantly finding its quarters too cramped to accommodate a growing student body. Today, the institution has over three hundred resident students, and this year for the first time opened its doors to non- residents. The Fathers of the Assumption also conduct a preparatory school in which a classical training paves the way for a college course.
The curriculum of the Assumption College is the solid course of studies, traditional in Catholic education, which has stood the test of ages, and produced the scholarship of Catholic Europe. In 1917, the Massachusetts Legislature granted a charter to the college, with the right to confer the baccalaureate degree. The course of studies lead- ing to this scholastic honor includes thorough in- struction in both English and French Literature, American History and Civics. Mathematics through Trigonometry, Science through Biology, and a premedical, if desired ; Latin, Greek, Philoso- phy, Social and Political Economy, Jurisprudence for those headed for the law-school, and Religious Instruction with a special eye to moral training and character development. A certain number of electives is allowed, but the catalogue states sig- nificantly : "The studies prescribed in this course are regarded as fundamental and essential in a liberal education, and therefore are not left to the student's option." Assumption, like most of our Catholic institutions of higher learning, has largely avoided the now recognized evils of unrestricted electivism. The much heralded "sanctity of the in- dividual's gifts and will power" meant, almost universally. taking the line of least restriction to a college degree, and the authors of the dictum have long since shrunk from the results of their own
handiwork. The surrender of experience to "the sanctity of the individual's gifts and will power" gave us the student who attended no classes before 11 a.m., or above the first floor, but he was not a student at a Catholic college.
The Assumption College cannot be accused of over-emphasizing athletics, but does live up to the statement of its prospectors : "While holding ath- letics to be of secondary importance, the authori- ties of the college are well aware of their influence for good when rightly directed and under proper control." The spacious campus offers plenty of opportunity for healthful recreation in which all students are encouraged to participate. as far as their health allows.
The faculty at Assumption college has an honorable war record. Though these Fathers were exiled from France during the days of per- secution, they rose above all petty resent- ments when the call to the colors sounded. Eight of them fought in the French ranks. and two made the su- preme sacrifice. A Students' Training Corps was established at the college when our nation entered the struggle.
Statue of Rev. Emmanuel d'Alson, Founder of the Order of Augustinians of the Assump- tion, unveiled at Assumption College, Worcester, on Novem- ber 22, 1930.
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SANCTUARY, OUR LADY'S CHAPEL, OUR LADY OF THE ELMS COLLEGE
Our Lady of The Elms College
Chicopee, Massachusetts
Conducted by the Sisters of St. Joseph
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ITH her first three years of col- legiate work successfully com- pleted and her charter class about to enter its graduation year, the College of Our Lady of The Elms, our diocesan college for girls. is no longer an experiment. Priests and parents have agreed that our Right Reverend Bishop's initiative in founding this home of higher Catholic education for young women filled a real need, in that it placed a baccalaureate course within the reach of all our Catholic high school graduates, at a minimum of expense. Quick to grasp the golden opportunity, our girls have flocked to "The Elms" in unusually large numbers, for charter classes, and the success of the new in- stitution is already assured beyond peradventure.
The new administration and liberal arts building is completed. Now that it is ready for occupancy, Our Lady of The Elms is fully equipped to accept all who apply with suitable intellectual and moral qualifications, and to offer educational facilities which compare favorably with the best in our land. Auditorium, laboratories, library, lecture halls and classrooms ample to meet all present needs, and future growth, all will be at the disposal of her fortunate students.
The course of studies is the traditional Catholic curriculum of the Liberal Arts, in preparation for the baccalaureate degree, and includes :
I-Religion: This course is continued through- out the four years. It comprises a thorough treat- ment of the Mass, its meaning, importance and liturgy; the significance of each part in the great
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Sacrifice ; the proper manner of lay assistance through The Missal. Secondly, the sacramental
life of the Church, around the Eucharistic Pres- ence; the sacramental system, and its divine adaptability to all the spiritual needs of man, from birth to "Nunc dimittis." Thirdly, the divine origin and life of the Church, as reflected in its attributes and marks, and demonstrated by the "victory which overcometh the world." as reflected in its divine preservation amid the storms of the Chris- tian ages. Fourthly, a thorough study of Christian Apologetics, to the end that every student may quickly and effectively apply her knowledge of her faith to meet current materialistic and atheistic ob- jections to its divinity and efficacy. "The Elms" girl knows the reasons for the faith that is in her.
Side by side with a thorough instruction in the principles of the Catholic Faith go attendance at daily Mass, the weekly Holy Hour, daily Rosary, the annual retreat, the Sodality gatherings, and
Architectural detail of main entrance to new Administration and Liberal Arts Building.
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seasonable devotions, which ground the student in the great truth : "This is eternal life. that they may know Thee, the one True God. and Jesus Christ. whom Thou has sent." As this necessity of re- ligion, of "seeking first the Kingdom of God and His Justice." is the fundamental reason for the existence of Our Lady of The Elms, and every Catholic school, nothing is left undone to impress on the student the fact that religion is a daily guide, not a holiday garment ; that morality, based on religion, is an hourly companion, not a chance acquaintance. The graduate of "The Elms" will be. first and foremost, a Catholic lady, whose Catho- licity is both of the heart and of the mind, and whose deep culture has its roots in Catholic charity and considerateness towards God's image every- where.
II-Philosophy, the "handmaid of religion." which. in Logic, teaches us the laws of thought and
View of the auditorium from the stage, showing balcony.
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the canons of truth ; in Ontology, the fundamental nature of being, its goodness, unity and truth; in Cosmology, the essential nature of the created universe ; in Psychology, the attributes and powers of our immaterial, spiritual, immortal souls, the principles of life, knowledge and action, by which we are akin to the angels and an image of God; in Ethics, the morality of human acts on which sound economics and political economy depend; in Natural Theology, all that is knowable and de- ducible about God, the Creator, by the light of human reason. Thus, Catholic Philosophy lays the foundations of right thinking and then imparts a knowledge of God, the World, and Self. It teaches how to think and furnishes fundamental matter for thought.
III-Literature: A thorough knowledge of our
Architectural detail of library ceiling.
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Mother Tongue, acquired through an analytical study of her Poetry and Rhetoric, and the sixty per cent of our language which is found in the Latin speech. The course in the Mother Tongue runs through the four years, including analysis of poetical. rhetorical and dramatic masterpieces. and their imitation, to develop literary style, and cul- minating in a senior course in Literary Apprecia- tion. a view of the modern field, with special em- phasis on current Catholic authors.
Latin, too, is continued throughout the four years, passing from the classical authors of the Augustan era in the various fields of composition to Church Latin and the great medieval rhetori- cians and poets and philosophers, all leading up to an appreciation of the Latin of the Missal and the Liturgy, and the grand Catholic sequences of the Mass.
In the foreign language department. intimate acquaintance with one modern language is re- quired-French, Spanish, Italian or German. as the tastes and needs of the students demand. The foreign language selected is continued for four years, with its use in conversation especially emphasized as senior work, after the student is acquainted with its poetry, oratory, drama and fiction.
IV-Science: An unexcelled series of labora- tories-Physics, Chemistry and Biology-are in- stalled in the well-lighted and easily ventilated upper story of the liberal arts building, and facili- ties are afforded for courses in every branch of
modern science. Physics. Chemistry, Biology, Astronomy, and Physiology are all included in the comprehensive curriculum of the scientific depart- ment, with its superb equipment for experimental work.
V-Mathematics: College work in Algebra. Geometry and Trigonometry comprises the courses in the first two years. with ample provision for more advanced study for the seniors and juniors. should any considerable number of students so re- quest.
VI-History: This department offers well- ordered courses in Ancient. Medieval and Modern History, with the twofold object of (1) imparting
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A section of the Chemistry Laboratory.
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a thorough knowledge of how the Catholic Faith fought its way through Roman persecution, Bar-
barian opposition, Arian hatred, and Merovingian corruption to the establishment of Europe's Chris- tian civilization ; (2) thus prepar- ing for a course in the Philosophy of History, in which the sequence and interrelation of events are studied and the forces of history are weighed, to demonstrate the causality of events and the Provi- dence which ruled over human action during Christian civiliza- tion's struggle for life against the forces of paganism and bar- barism.
VII-Recreation and Health are amply provided for in the re- laxations afforded by a spacious
Student's private room i in O'Leary Hall Dormitory.
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