Bishop Buddy Scrapbook 1937 (2)

CHIMES

CHIMES

Mother Pauline only tolerated it; she did not advocate it. "What kind of woman was she? Let us look at her portrait in her college. I can see strength, calmness, kindliness written there. Notice the firm line of her lips: it shows an indomitable will. Sensitive? Yes. Far-sighted, tolerant, inspirational, and above all, sympa- thetic. Yet here is a trace of humility in her slightly stooped shoulders. She was, I think, above all, a woman of peace. Her great, for- giving spirit brought peace into every trying situation. Hours of prayer and meditation deepened that spirit and enabled her to com- municate it to others. She loved peace. "Ah, Mother Pauline would have loved you had she known you, as she loved all her students. So much did she love them that they absorbed it, and were inspired to live up to her expectations. She has left her mark

eternally in this, our Gothic college building -a symbol of her strength and stability, just as did Mother Augusta in laying the founda- tions for Our Lady of Loretto. These two have built Saint Mary's materially. "Mother Mary Annunciata and Mother Angela excelled in spiritual leadership. The sweet, angelic voice of Mother Annunciata could bolster up any gloomy spirit, but it was Mother Angela's courage that was so needed in the very beginning. "Now, my dear, you have seen the sem- blance of the spirit of Saint Mary's together with its heart. You, a student of Saint Mary's of the present, closely bound to its cultural, spiritual, and religious heritage of the past, may in the future rise to the same level of success that those eminent leaders have at- tained to, and may you all your life reap its rewards.''

"It was Mother Angela who laid the spir- itual foundation for Our Lady of Loretto. But it was Mother Mary Annunciata who so richly increased its spirit. She realized that the material good she did for others, in a sense, passes away, but the truth imparted to them lives forever. Taken in this sense her life was very fruitful. Many young girls through her were prepared for life-girls who were to leave their Christian influence on their homes. "I remember Mother Annunciata best for her beautiful bird-like voice. She used it fre- quently, too, to cheer someone down-hearted. We used often to beg her to sing, and she always complied. Her voice was our idea of an angel's. "One day a student came to Mother with a sick headache-from studying, she said. So pleased was Mother to think that her pupils were studying so hard that she cried, 'If any- body studied enough to get a headache, I would love her. Er, I mean, I'd have more respect for the girl,' she amended. So her pupils would work harder to gain her respect. "She had a tiny chair in her little office. It might have been a doll's chair, but it was there for another purpose. Her girls sat there at her knee to tell her their troubles. Then, in her quiet way, she would lift them up, urge them on . .. "Mother Annunciata was always a leader in educational matters, too. Through hers and Father Zahm's efforts, the wireless was brought to Saint Mary's at an early date. First, the instrument carried the voice from one room to another. Then the operator went out on the lake and still his voice came to them waiting in the building. It appeared to be either a miracle or a fraud; it was neither. And Saint Mary's had witnessed it one year after its discovery. You see, my dear, how progressive your school is even amidst its conservativeness. "Ah, she was indeed a good influence on the girls. Her gentleness, purity, charity, pa- 118

tience, courage, perseverance - all these served the best possible example. She was so affectionate and generous . . . "Look, child. See that tall tower stretching heavenward? It is part of the great Gothic structure that Mother Pauline built. Mother Pauline was the builder, the builder of stu- dent enrollment as well as of buildings. "But her role was different from that of any we have hitherto talked of. President of the college from 189 5 to 193 1, she has exer- cised a great influence on women who have become heads of homes, women who have be- come monuments of integrity, far more im- portant to Mother Pauline than her buildings. One day an alumna, after thirty years' ab- sence, returned to confide in Mother Pauline the many hardships and trials she had exper- ienced since leaving school. I can see her yet, sitting opposite Mother, twisting her handker- chief into a knot, lips quivering with emotion, eyes staring hard at the floor. She had re- turned to tell Mother that only the strength of Mother's philosophy had pulled her through. Mother could hardly keep back the tears. She understood. But she knew that this woman was but an example, and she thanked God she could influence so pro- foundly her girls. These intangible things meant more to Mother than the buildings. This training and molding 6f young wills and hearts is what really matters. This stability and strength of purpose was her greatest re- ward in her material life, and she liked to think that she had succeeded in putting it across. These qualities, and others just as fundamental, Saint Mary's will always give you, my dear. You'll see when you get older. "Mother Pauline realized that in the edu- cation of women, customs change, though not essentially. Cultural and aesthetic elements must survive. She so valued these elements that only reluctantly did she admit such prac- tical courses as commerce, practice teaching, and science into the curricula. But the grow- ing spirit of utilitarianism forced the change. JUNE, 1938

Five Freshman Awards

Freshmen were in vited to snbmit, anonymously, creative work. in any form. 1.'he prize was di vided among th e fallow- ing five contribidions. Judges were three teachers, all forrner Saint :Mary' s girls familiar with her history and tradition.

Pages From The Diary of a Saint Mary's Girl Thirty Years Ago

S11,nday , Jtlarch 25, 1904- It was cold and c~isp today, but the sun was shining and that makes it a good Sun- day anywhere. We were fortunate to have so perfect a day for our experiments. Pro- fessor Greene said the air was right for mes- sages to be sent. They were all very enlight- J uNE, 1938

ening-the experiments we did. " Spectacu- lar," Sister said. How impossible it seemed at first-to send a message through space for two miles and use no wires. But I heard the message myself as it "ticked out" in the physics room. Alice said it was all our imagi- nation and that we merely thought we heard

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