C IC • •

A National Monthly

.. CATHOLIC ACTION consists not merely of the pursuit-of personal Christian perfection, which is however before all others its first and greatest end-, but it also consists of a true apostolate in which Catholics of every social class participate, coming thus to be united in thought and action around those centers of sound doctrine and multiple social activity, legitimately constituted and, as a result, aided and sustained by the authority of the bishops." -Pope Pius XI.

National Catholic 'W' elfare Conference

, Vol. XIV, No.7 JULY, 1932 Price 20c 2 CATHOLIC ACTION July, 1932 CATHOLIC ACTION OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE NATIONAL CATHOLIC WELFARE CONFERENCE

TABLE OF CONTENTS FACTS ABOUT THE N. c. w. c. JULY, 1932 :-: What It Is What It Does :-: PAGE Catholic Life and Catholic Action­ "This organization (the N. C. W. C.) is not only useful, but necessary . ..• "The Response of the Individual: We praise all toho in any way cooperate in this great work."-POPE PIUS XI. II" ...... 3 The National Catholic Welfare Conference was organized in September, 1D19. By Rev, John J. B1~rke, C.S.P. The N. C. W. O. is a common agency acting under the authority of the bishops to promote the welfare of the Oatholics of the country. Why the Encyclical on Christian Mar~ It has for its incorporated purposes "unifying, coordinating and organizing the riage ...... 5 Oatholic people of the United States in works of education, social welfare, immigrant By Rev. J(I,mes M. Gillis, C.S.P. aj and other activities." t comprises the following departments and bureaus: Preparation for Marriage ...... 7 EXECUTIVE'-':""Bureaus maintained: Immigration, Publicity and Information, Historical By Rev. Felix M. Kirsch, O.M.Cap. Records, Publications, Business and Auditing and Latin American. Enuc TION-Divisions: Statistics and Information, Teachers' Registration, Library. Chief Evils of Modern Marriage . . . 9 PREss-Serves the Oatholic press in the United States and abroad with regular news, By Patrick J: Ward feature, editorial and pictorial services. SOCIAL ACTION-Oovers the fields of Industrial Relations, Citizenship, Social Work, The Church and the Dignity of Family Life and Rural Welfare. 'Voman ...... 11 LEGAL-Serves as a clearing house of information on federal, state and local legislation. By Grace H. Sherwood LAY ORGANIZA.TIONs-Includes the National Oouncil of Catholic Men and the National Council of Oatholic Women, which maintain at N. C. W. O. headquarters perma­ Blessings of Marriage ...... 13 nent representations in the interests of the Oatholic laity. These councils function By Rev. Albed }i'. Kaise?', C.PP.S. through some 3,000 affiliated societies-national, state, dioce an, district, local and parish; also through units of the councils in many of the dioceses. Preserving the Integrity of Married The N. C. O. M. maintains at its national headquarters a Catholic Evidence Bu­ Life ...... 15 reau and sponsors a weekly nationwide radio Oatholic Hour over the network of the By Mabel H. Mattingly National Broadcasting Company. The N. O. O. W. maintains in Washington, D.O., the National Catholic School ot Month by l\-lonth with the N. C. W. C. 16 Social Service. The Conferenct is conducted by an administrative committee composed of seven Catholic Action and the Family ..... 19 archbishops and bishops aided by seven assistant bishops. By Rev. Edgar Schmiedeler, O.S.B. Each department of the N. C. W. C. is adminh:tered by an episcopal chairman. Through the general secretary, chief executive officer of the Oonference, the reports The N. C. C. W. Committee on Family of the departments and information on the general work of the headquarter's staff are sent regularly to the members of the administrative committee. and Parent Education...... 21 The administrative bishops of the Conference report annually upon their work to By Mary G. Hawks the Holy See. Annually at the general meeting of the bishops, detailed reports are submitted by Near-Miracle of Social Service ...... 22 the administrative bishops of the Conference and authorization secured for the work B ,y Louise McGuire of the coming year. No official action is taken by any N. C. W. C. department without authorization of Dramatizing Catholic Action Studies . 23 its episcopal chajrman. No official action is taken in the name of the whole Oonference without authoriza- By Eva J. Ross tion and approval of the administrative committee. It is not the policy of the N. O. W. C. to create new organizations. Social Service-A Field of Catholic It helps, unifies, and leaves to their own fields those that already exist. Action...... 24 It aims to defend and to advance the welfare both of the Catholic Church and of By Rev. Francis J. Haas our beloved Country. It seeks to inform the life of America of right fundamental principles of religion and morality. 1932 Commencement of the National It is a central clearing house of information regarding activities of Catholic men Catholic School of Social Service .. 25 and women. All that are helped may play their part in promoting the good work and in main­ Reports of N. C. C. W. Activities ..... 26 taining the common 'lgency, the National Oatholic Welfare Conference. OATH OLIO AOTION records monthly the work of the Conference and its affiliated The contents of OATHOLIC AOTION organizations. It presents our common neens and opportunities. Its special articles are fully indexed in the Catholic Periodical are helpful to every Oatholic organization and individual. Index.

CATHOLIO AOTION published monthly by the National Catholic Welfare Conference. Entered as second-class matter at the post-office at Washington, D. C., under the Act of March 3, 1879. All changes of address, renewals and subscrip­ tions should be sent direct to OATHOLIO ACTION, 1312 Massachusetts Ave., N. W., Washington, D. O.

Subscription Rates Publication, Editorial and Ea;ecutive Offices $2.00 per year; outside the United States, $2.25. 1312 Massachusetts Ave., N. W. Make checks or postal money orders payable to WASHINGTON, D. O. CATHOLIO ACTION. July, 1932 CATHOLIC ACTION 3

By Catholic Life and Cathol ic Action Rev. John J. Burke, C.S.P., S.T.D.

The Response of the Individual-II HE response of the individual to the Catholic But successfully as t.he Catholic external work may faith, or rather the fruit of the Catholic faith be done, it will know no success unless the love of T within him, means that his action, as his life, is Christ, fidelity to His Church, to the words of her ac­ no longer individualistic. His life through baptism is tual visible Head, personal humility, constant self-puri­ a supernatural life, a life from and in Christ. As St. fication, supreme trust and confidence in the ways of Paul says, we are no longer our own, we are wholly Christ rather than in our own and the ways of men, be Christ's. All, therefore, that a Christian mayor does to us infinitely more worthwhile than all work and all accomplish is owing to this supernatural life which action. The body is more than the raiment: the spirit Christ has given him, which, if he has lost it, Christ more than the body. renews within him through the sacraments of the Church. Through the sacraments also, Christ in­ creases, strengthens, guides it. HERE are Christians who apparently do not see The first Christians used the symbol of a fish to rep­ T that while .the infinitely more must never be ex­ resent our Blessed Lord. The letters that compose the cluded by the less, the infinitely more always and of Greek word meaning fish, if taken in order, are the first its very self includes the less. There is in one sense no letters of "Jesus Christ, the Son of God, Saviour." less. Faith is dead without good works. Such Chris­ The further thought will come to us that this symbol tians refrain from external organized Christian action, may be used not only to express Christ but also to ex­ and limit, in great measure, their religious life to nar­ press the Christian. Even as the fish can not live out row and what might be called personal fields. The of the water, neither can we live save in Christ, and Christian faith presents us with many seeming para­ all our activity is due to our remaining in the life doxes. We must care for and respect our physical which Christ gives us. body as the temple of the Holy Ghost. We must discip­ Christ does not give it in an invisible and individual­ line and even despise that body when it wars against istic way, without such testimony and evidence as all the soul. We must live for our eternal home which is may see. Christ gives it through His visibl~ Church, heaven: yet we must love and give ourselves for this which is the living Body of Christ, with a living, visi­ world and for our fellows. We must live for the spir­ ble Head possessing the authority of Christ. itual alone, yet we must labor to possess material re­ Whatever a Christian may achieve, he achieves only sources. "\Ve must despise the world, yet we must through the power of Jesus Christ, which has been seek in zeal and actual love to bring the world and all given to him. of its interests i~to the Kingdom .of Christ, wherein all things belong.

ITH the response, therefore, which the Christian W makes to Christ, he must ever consciously carry E CAN NOT be content with what we may be the truth that it is not he, the individual, who is W pleased to call a personal holiness that does not achieving and succeeding-it is Christ and he himself bleed and sacrifice itself for others. Self-cultivation in Christ. With the response will be the conviction was never the sole interest of any saint. We know we that he works not alone, but with and in the Church must purify and perfect ourself. St. Paul was urged and with the body of the faithful. With the response to unceasing labors: St. Paul converted the Gentile will be the eagerness to use all his powers for the ex­ world. St. Paul not only confessed his indebtedness pression and extension of Christ and His Church, in to Christ-Christ to St. Paul was all in all: it was the organized action with his fellow Christians, into every joy of St. Paul that Christ labored and suffered and field of human activity. achieved in his own unworthy and sinful self. 4 CATHOLIC ACTION July, 1932

"So with the Lord: He takes and He refuses, The response, therefore, to the call of Christ will be Finds Him ambassadors whom men deny; a response wherein the Christian will ever consciously Wise ones nor mighty for His saints He chooses, No, such as John or Gideon or I. seek his strength not in himself, but in Christ and the living Church; wherein the Christian will because of • • • * * his very love of and life in Christ give himself to others "Ay, for this Paul, a scorn and a despising, and with others to serve in an organized way the apos­ Weak as you know him and the wretch you see,­ tolate of Catholic Action~(' the right of souls to bring Even as these eyes shall ye behold him rising; the treasures of the Redemption to other souls." Strength in infirmities and Christ in me." + + + + + + + + + + E WILL in subsequent articles develop the ways T IS eternally true that God exalts only the humble. W in which the Catholic may fit himself further and I It is eternally true that God b ses those who for promote more effectively this apostolate of our day. Christ's sake have made themselves 0 ,her Christs. This We have endeavored here to emphasize that union, that latter invitation is not limited to those who are called oneness of the soul with Christ which, whatever one's to the religious vocation; it is extended to all Christians position in life may be, is both the root and the fruit as truly as was the invitation of our Lord, "Be you of Catholic Action. (( It was Jesus Christ Himself," therefore perfect, as also your heavenly Father is per­ declares our Holy Father, "Who laid the first founda­ fect." tions of Catholic Action."

O :UR SYMPOSIUM on the" CHRISTIAN M .ARRIAGE" ENCYCLICAL

DISTINGUISHED group of Catholic educators and and made the subject of careful consideration and discus­ leaders contribute to the symposium published in sion in the classroom and in the study club. May we here A this issue of CATHOLIC ACTION on the" Chris­ call attention to the excellent helps to a thorough study of tian Marriage" Encyclical of Pope Pius XI. The scope the encyclical supplied by the N. C. W. C. and noted on and importance of the several articles are indicated by page 32 of this issue' their titles: "Why -the Marriage Encyclical," "The Bless­ CATHOLIC ACTION here records its gratitude to the ings of Marriage," '( Chief Evils of Modern }Iarriage," eight collaborators who give us in their articles so much '( Preserving the Integrity of Married Life," "The Posi­ food for thought and so many practical suggestions for tion of Women," (' Preparation for Marriage," '( Catholic action. Action and the Family," and (( The N. C. C. W. Com­ ------+------mittee on Family and Parent Education." NEXT MONTH'S ISSUE The Holy Father's pronouncement on Christian marriage HE Augu~t issue of CATHOLIC ACTION will be de­ is one of the most forceful utterances on this !ubject ever T voted mainly to the general topic of adult education. to issue from a supreme pontiff. It is especially timely in Special articles relating experiences in this field will un­ view of the naturalistic attitude toward matrimony now fold various methods of organizing and conducting adult prevailing throughout the world, especially in the United education activities such as study clubs, less formal study States, and of the misguided pUblicity so often given to groups, study and discussion groups, special interest theories and persons holding views subversive of the Chris­ groups, etc. The use of leisure time; the plan of grouping tian ideals of marriage. We need only quote one startling persons for study according to their particular interest, fact to show the extent of the disintegration of the home profession or occupation; the need of helpful guidance that is taking place in the United States. According to during this present period of social unrest and economic figures of the U. S. Bureau of the Census, the number of crisis-will be dealt with in special feature articles. divorces granted in the United States per 100 marriages The number will report briefly upon the study club ac­ increased from 5.5 in 1887, to 17.0 in 1930. tivities of the various units Qf the National CQuncil Qf CATHOLIC ACTION feels that it is performing a use­ Catholic Women. It is believed that the August issue ful service in supplying its readers the helpful commends of CATHOLIC ACTION will prove of practical service and counsel which this analysis of the Holy Father's power­ to, already functioning groups and that it will inspire ful encyclical presents. We trust the articles will be read many other individuals and organizations to take up this in the home, noted in meetings of Catholic men and women, necessary and all-tQgether attractive form of education. It July, 1932 CATHOLIC ACTION

W HY the ENCYCLICAL on CHRISTIAN MARRIAGE

THIS article, as its author, the distinguished editor of The Catholic World, explains, is "in no sense a justification of the Holy Father's motive in issuing the Cadi Connubii Encyclical." Papal documents, he points out, need no justification. It is rather, he says, "a brief summary of the conditions that made a new papal proclamation on the sacredness of marriage necessary and inevitable.~' By Rev. James M. Gillis, C.S.P.

HIS preliminary chapter, notwithstanding what may ing his own mind as summarizing the opinions of the ad­ seem an impertinent" why?" in its title, is to be in vanced feminists-with whom, by the way, he was in sym­ T no sense a justification of the Holy Father's motive pathy. And he added that after a thorough study of fem­ in issuing the Encyclical Casti Connubii, on Christian inist literature he was convinced that the ultimate object marriage. Papal documents need no justification. The of feminism was the abolition of the home and the family. pope is never precipitate, never too quickly alarmed. The The two coryphrei of modernism in England, Bernard Catholic Church is not easily stampeded: the head of the Shaw and H. G. Wells, with thousands of their devoted Church does not scan the daily papers like a sensation­ satellites, have advocated motherhood without marriage as mongering preacher seeking some new horror as a text for a complement to marriage without motherhood. next Sunday'8 sermon. Therefore, the word" why" in the caption affixed to this N THE half century that has elapsed since the debut of chapter means merely that I shall attempt a brief sum­ I Ellen Key, and her contemporary, Olive Schreiner, mod­ mary of the conditions that made a new papal proclama­ ernistic opinion about marriage has" advanced" so rapidly tion on the sacredness of marriage necessary and inevitable. that we have arrived at a condition in which marriage is no Count Keyserling in The Book of Marriagel published longer marriage. His Holiness the Pope says, "Every true some six ;years ago speaks of "a complete change in atti­ marriage carries with it an enduring bond, and every tude" towards marriage and of "a violent revolt against union contracted without that perpetual bond is no mar­ the former ideals and customs of the marriage relation." riage at all."2 It may interest us Americans to know that, speaking in his The conservative G. K. Chesterton (conservative in mat­ capacity as a "travelling philosopher," he thinks that the ters moral if not economic) quite agrees with his radical "general uncertainty and instability" about marriage are compeers, Shaw and Wells, that it is folly to talk of the more marked amongst us than amongst any other people. "impending dissolution" of marriage. All three concur in saying that marriage as an institution (apart from the ~T the agitation for a change of view and a modifica­ Catholic Church) is already destroyed. "Don't ask me," Ytlon of custom cannot be said to have originated in says Wells, "if I believe that marriage should be abolished. America. More than forty years ago Ellen Key, the Scan­ We are abolishing it piecemeal every day." dinavian feminist, proclaimed the right to motherhood Further, the Pope, who is evidently au courant with the without marriage, and complete freedom of divorce. At latest matrimonial novelties, speaks of those who "concoct the time her views were considered extreme, or at least new species of unions suited as they say to the present her expression of them over-frank, but in this generation temper of men and the times, which various new forms of her book would create little comment and indeed some of matrimony they presume to label 'temporary' , experi­ her contentions for example that mothers must surrender mental' and ' companionate.' " Such unions are, of other interests in order to care for their own children, are course, not marriage in the traditional Christian sense of held antiq:uated and illiberal by the very school which she the word. Indeed there are sociologists, not a few, who founded. "The home is the enemy of woman," wrote eschew the word marriage and speak rather of "mating." W. L. George some twenty years ago, not so much speak- Edward Carpenter, another celebrated pioneer of the new

1 The Book of Marriage. A New Interpretation by Twenty-four 2 Marriage. Authorized English Text of the Encyclical Letter of Leaders of Contemporary Thought. Harcourt, Brace & Company, His Holiness Pope Pius XI, National Catholic Welfare Conference, New York, 1926. 1931, p. 15. 6 CATHOLIC ACTIO:N July, 1932 era, insisted that -there should be no vows in marriage even hitherto more bluntly called sins of the flesh are charac­ for one year. And there was the very accommodating teristic of the literature of the subject. And the hopeless American woman preacher, Anna Howard Shaw, who used confusion of ethical ideas is even more characteristic. Per­ to ask the bride and groom what kind of compact they haps the limit is reached by one commentator upon Ellen wished to make, and then marry them with the formula of Key, J. B. Kerfoot, who expresses a doubt as to whether we their own choosing. rrhis idea, too, dates from Ellen Key should not call it a sin when the spirit conquers the flesh. who had written, "Each fresh couple, whatever form they It must be remarked that the logic of those who love to may choose for the cohabitation, must themselves prove its call themselves the "new" moralists is quite as uncertain moral claims. Only cohabitation can decide the morality as their ethics. Miss Leavenworth, for example, speaks of of a certain case. "3 a "single standard" in the same breath with the declara­ tion that there are and must be as many moral standards HE notion that one cannot determine antecedently as there are men and women in the world, and she seems T whether adultery or fornication be moral or immoral altogether unaware that her logic and her ethics are equally occurs repeatedly in the writings of the new school. ' , The nihilistic. cramping of love by institutions" [for example by mar­ Bertrand Russell, who used to be considered a profes­ riage], says Bertrand Russell, "is one of the major evils sionallogician, seems to feel the necessity of defending the of the world. Every person who allows imself to think thesis of an elastic sex-morality by an appeal to scientific that an adulterer must be wicked adds his stone to the anthropology. ' 'Economic causes," he says, "determine prison in which the source of poetry and beauty and life whether a tribe will practice polygamy, polyandry, group is incarcerated by priests in black gowns.' '4 And again, marriage, or monogamy, and whether monogamy will be "Relations between adults who are free agents are a pri­ lifelong or dissoluble. "7 And Ellen Key, who is particu­ vate matter and should not be interfered with either by larly fascinated with the idea of moral evolution, demands the law or by public opiriion, because no outsider can that" individuals should be granted that liberty which was know whether they are good or bad." Bold though these allowed to the same nation at different periods, namely, the assertions are, they cannot be called novel. August Bebel, liberty within certain limits of choosing its own form of a generation before Bertrand Russell, had said, "The sex­ sexual life. "8 ual act does not concern morality at all. It is simply a question of individual taste." Evidently we have come a HESE few samples of the complete demoralization ~f long way from the Scarlet Letter and a still longer way T sex-ethics may suffice. They can be augmented ad hb from the Sixth Commandment. Most of the new moralists by anyone who has the industry and the patience to read do not pay the Ten Commandments the compliment of the newspapers and the magazines of the day and the even adverting to their existence. Ellen Key refers to them slightly more pretentious bound volumes that may be found only to repudiate them: "The new morality," she says, in any bookshop or even on tables in the "drug stores" , 'no longer accepts commandments from the mounts of (significant word) which cater to the popular taste. It is Sinai or Galilee. Here as everywhere else evolutionism can not too much to say that we have arrived at a condition of only regard continuous experience as revelation.' '5 chaos. And, says Miss Freda Kirchwey in the introduc­ tion to the symposium already cited, "No one seeks to HE idea of an elastic and ever-varying sex-morality is argue chaos away.... Men and women are ignoring old T expressed grandiloquently by Isabel Leavenworth (pro­ laws. In their relations with each other they are living fessor in Barnard College): ' 'Sex experiences," she says, according to tangled, conflicting codes. Remnants of early , 'like other experiences can be judged of only on the basis admonitions and relationships, the dictates of custom, the of the part they play in the creative drama of the individual behavior of their friends, their own tastes and desires, elu­ soul (I take the liberty of italicizing a particularly poetic sive dreams of a loveliness not provided for by rules-all phrase). There are as many possibilities for successful these are scrambling to fill the gap th8:t was left when sex-life as there are men and women in the world. A sig­ . Right and Wrong finally followed the other absolute mon­ nificant single standard can be attained only through the archs to an empty, nominal existence somewhere in exile."9 habit of jUdging every case, man or woman in the light of Naturally the chaotic condition of the theory and prac­ the character of, the individual and of the particular cir­ tice of marriage has been reflected in the legislation of the cumstances in which he or she is placed.' '6 Such euphem­ day. An unholy rivalry exists among nations, and even isms as "poetry, beauty and life," and "creative drama amongst states within nations, all striving to make mar­ of the individual soul," used to describe what have been riage unstable, divorce cheap and easy and the family impossible. 3 Love and Marriage, p. 16-17. (Continued on page 12) 'Our Ohanging Morality, A Symposium. Edited by Freda Kirch­ wey. Albert and Charles Boni, New York, 1924, p. 14-15. 7 Our Changing Morality, p_ 17, :nterpreting Mueller-Lyer. & Love and Marriage, p. 52. • Love and Marriage, p. 6-7. e 01f,r Ohanging Morality. p. 101. • Our Oha..nging Morality, p. vi. July, 1932 CATHOLIC ACTION 7

YOUNG men and women of today are not without plentiful advice on the general topic of marriage. A PREPARATION sensational press specializes in this kind of 4'guidance." Unfortunately most of it is bad, as those who follow it frequently discover too late. In the accompanying ar­ ticle Father Kirsch provides a welcome antidote to this counsel of naturalism and in his usual clear and earnest manner explains some of the means which should be for MARRIAGE employed in training for a happy Catholic marriage. By Rev. Felix M. Kirsc'h, O.M.Cap., Ph.D., Litt.D.

OPE PIUS XI tells us that the happiness of married the young man and woma.n may be hearing his every word, life "depends in large measure on the due prepara­ but they fail to grasp what the priest is saying. Their P tion, remote and proximate, of the parties for mar­ minds are busy with other things. riage: for it cannot be denied that the basis of a happy As an observation on this point, we are often grieved to wedlock, and the ruin of an unhappy one, are prepared in learn that the minds of our young people have been poisoned the souls of boys and girls during the period of childhood by those who should have their best interests at heart and and adolescence." we are shocked at the attitude of some mothers whc;> abuse His Holiness goes on to explain why it is necessary to their great influence by spreading the malicious propaganda begin thus early to educate boys and girls for marriage. of naturalism. In such cases the pastor's short instruction Marriage does not make our young people over. After to prospective brides and grooms is futile in its effects-his marriage they will generally be what they were before. advice has come too late. Consequently, if before marriage they were self-willed and In view of these facts, we recognize the wisdom of the sensual, they will be the same after they are joined in wed­ rule obtaining in some dioceses that every pastor must give lock. In fact, matters will probably be worse after the two six instructions previous to the marriage. At all events let young people with their unconquered passions have been no priest imagine that his people are sufficiently informed joined in the bonds of matrimony for life, because they will on the subject of Catholic marriage if the matter has been then be reaping what they have sown in their early years. dealt with in mission sermons, or in a Lenten course of Therefore we need not be surprised to find in their home, as conferences. These means have been tried and have not the Pope reminds us, "sadness, lamentation, mutual con­ proved adequate. tempt, strifes, estrangements, and weariness of living to­ gether under one roof." OME time ago the present writer submitted the follow­ Hence the plain duty of all who are charged with the S ing question to 500 pastors: What means would you education of the young-parents, priests, and teachers-is suggest as helpful in educating our young people to have to begin as early as possible with the proper preparation clear and adequate knowledge of, and training for, Catholic for marriage. The home has the first opportunity in this marriage? The replies received from 460 pastors were respect. But how could we expect parents to prepare their tabulated into 5 groups, and have been published in the children properly for marriage if they themselves have a writer's book, Sex Education and Training for Chastity . worldly view of the sacrament of matrimony V And how (New York, Benziger Brothers, pp. 431 ff.) . widespread even among our Catholic parents is the ignor­ The limitations of space prevent us from quoting ex­ ance of the rights and duties of Catholic marriage. tensively from the replies received. Suffice it therefore to say that the respondents insisted that the priest may never UR priests should therefore heed the regulation laid fail to give in the confessional whatever information may O down by Canon 1,018 of the Code of Canon Law: be required by his married or unmarried penitents. In the "Let the pastor not fail to instruct his people prudently pulpit, too, the priest must deal explicitly with the Catholic about matrimony and the matrimonial impediments." doctrine on ,marriage and birth control. With regard to Now "instruct, " here means more than elementary instruc­ individual instruction, it was stated that the priest must tion. It does not mean merely the hurried and perfunc­ make certain that young people marrying are fully in­ tory instructio sponSOr1tm on the eve of the marriage. structed about their rights and duties. Much could be ac­ Some priests would seem to expect too much from the half­ complished if no couple were married until the priest had hour's instruction given on the eve of the wedding to a made sure that both parties had read and understood some young couple when they are dizzy with love and distracted good Catholic book on marriage, for instance, Plain Talks with thoughts about temporal and secular affairs. The Om Ma?'riage by Father Fulgence Meyer, O.F.M., (St. pastor may speak to them with the voice of a prophet, and Francis Book Shop, Cincinnati, Ohio). Since so many 8 CATHOLIC ACTION July, 1932 marriages turn out unhappy because of the prevalence of research project recently conducted at the Catholic Uni­ the social diseases, those about to marry should voluntarily versity in Washington produced evidence that the subject offer to each other a certificate indicating freedom from of marriage and home-making appealed in the fourth year communicable disease. of the Catholic high school to 75 per cent of the boys and to 80 per cent of the girls. The topic of morals has a fre­ HILE carrying out these and other specific sug­ quency of 6B per cent in the first year for boys and in­ W gestions, the pastor may never lose sight of the fact creases to 86 per cent in the fourth year, while the fre­ that the preparation for marriage is but one phase of a quency in the girls' table ranges from 72 per cent in the larger campaign. The Pope insists that the low standard first year to 93 per cent in the fourth year. The appeal of present-day marriage is only one phase of the naturalism of the topic of mixed marriages ranges from 41 per cent in that is threatening to' destroy all Christian ideals. T,he the first year to 73 per cent in the fourth year for boys, pastor, therefore, while preparing his young people for and from 68 per cent in the first year to 73 per cent in Catholic marriage, may not content himself with the the fourth year for girls.* During the past scholastic year sporadic instructing and warning, but must attack the evil the present writer conducted a question box in connection at the root, drive out naturalism, and be consistent in with a high school and found that 80 per cent of the ques­ preaching and practising the Gospel of Christ Crucified. tions dealt with moral and marriage problems. How futile He must make it plain to his congregation tha the Gospel therefore for the teacher of religion in the Catholic high of Christ Crucified must not only be preached in the pulpit school to ignore a subject that is of vital concern to these and confessional, but must also be practised in the heart young people not only during the period of their schooling of the home, in the market place, in the shop, in the office, but especially after they leave the safeguards of this in the press, and in the thousand other ramifications of Catholic environment. Catholic life. But such consistency is impossible without complete character education of hoth young and old. T is true, both priests and teachers will often be at sea as ] The Catholic home could and should do much more to to how they ought to meet the needs of these adolescents. provide such character education. But with the breaking­ However, so long as the priest succeeds in having the young up of so much of our Catholic home life, our schools must people continue frequent in the reception of the sacra­ shoulder even more than their due share of Catholic char­ ments, he will have in the confessional abundant oppor­ acter education. Let out' Catholic schools therefore do all tunity for the individual direction that is so essential. In they can in this direction. In each and every school­ Holy Communion the adolescents will find the support that whether elementary, secondary, or higher-the young will not only carry them safely through these critical years, people should be trained to know and to practice Christian but will also give them reserve strength and habits for self-denial. The Catholic doctrine on vocation should be their later married life. The teacher on his part will :find studiously inculcated. Vocation is not what the creature it helpful to make available to his students the question desires but what the Creator demands. Vocation means box. Here the boys and girls will have an opportunity of answering the call of God. Consequently, if the individual revealing their individual needs and doubts. is to realize his God-given vocation, he must strive to occupy To sum up: the preparation for marriage should include that niche for which the Lord has destined him from all a broad Catholic character education, the training in habits eternity. of prayer and the frequent reception of the sacraments, In this connection we must refer to the mistake made the instilling of a high appreciation of the vocation to frequently not only by religious teachers but by priests as marriage, the giving of proper information on sex both at well when dealing with the subject of vocation. Is it not the proper time and by the proper authority, and practical true that all too often both priests and sisters regard as a information regarding the building of happy homes. Given vocation only the calling to the priesthood or to the religious such a preparation for marriage, the young people should life Y In consequence the children receive the impression, be well fitted under God for the important task of choosing generally retained through life, that marriage is an un­ their life partners. worthy thing, and thus they never rise to the heights of On this head, too, Pope Pius XI offers pertinent and the sublime view that both Christ and the Church have of practical advice. He counsels wisely that those about to the state ennobled by a special sacrament. enter wedlock should pray diligently for divine help, so that they may make their choice in accordance with Chris­ ORE specific preparation for marriage should begin tian prudence, not indeed led by the blind and unrestrained ML on the high-school level. It is then that the child impulse of lust, nor by any desire of riches or other base discovers the other sex and that he is passing through the influence, but by a true and noble love and by a sincere fire and water of the fiercest temptation. It might prove (Continued on page 31) fatal in many a case to ignore the fact th:at adolescent boys * Sister M:. Antonina, S.D.P., Religious Instruction in the Oatholic and girls are thinking and di~cussing problems of sex. A High School, Washington, D. C., 1930, Ch. X. July, 1932 CATHOLIC ACTION 9

CHIEF EVILS By Patrick J. Ward of MODERN MARRIAGE

FAILURE to recognize the divine and sacramental nature of marriage is perhaps t~e greatest danger which threatens civilized society today. It is characteristic of modern thought which rejects Christian caching, as shown by our present contributor. From this failure, he explains, flow moral and social evils like divorce, birth control, and denial of primary rights in the proper exercise of natural functions. The mind of the Church with regard to these matters, as set forth in Pope Pius Xl's "Christian Marriage" Encyclical, is ably analyzed in the accompanying article by Mr. Ward, director of the Bureau of Publicity and Information, N. C. W. C., a Catholic scholar who has greatly COD- tributed through his research and writings to the Catholic literature on the subject which he here discusses.

HRIST, says our Holy Father, ordained in an es­ cal, function attempt to sustain society on that underst~nd­ pecial manner that marriage should be "the prin­ ing, they overlook the abiding principle which sooiety has C .ciple and foundation of domestic society and there­ long accepted in the development of its jurisprudence, fore of all human intercourse.' '* At the same time, He namely, the identity of the divine and the natural law. restored marriage "to the original purity of its divine in­ That principle is expressed in our own charter of Ameri­ stitution" by making it a sacrament of the New Law. can liberty which speaks of the "law of nature and of na­ The failure of the world to recognize this fundamental ture's God." principle and this divine character of marriage gives rise From the denial of the divine character of marriage to those modern evils which threaten with extinction the comes two of our greatest social evils, divorce and deliber­ Christian family and the society which is built upon it and ate frustration of conception, both leading directly to the depends upon it for continuance and stability. disintegration and dissolution of society. We hear outside Even though men may deny the sacramental nature of the Church much condemnation of these two growing evils. marriage, still natural marriage retains its binding char­ Their bad moral and social results are evident in many acter and is subject to the divine law. It is of divine origin ways. They are condemned because they are not in the and can not be dissolved at will by any individual, by mu­ interest of society. They are seldom arraigned and de­ tual co~sent of the parties, or by the civil power. nounced, outside the Church, because they are in conflict Some believe that in denying this sacramental character with the law of God. The material welfare of society and of matrimony and in acknowledging the married state national prestige are the motives which seek to keep a simply as fulfilling a function of nature, marriage becomes balanced order in society. a convention, which may be regulated, changed, or dis­ N THE words of our Holy Father "there are those carded entirely at the whim of society. The false assump­ I who, striving as it were to ride a middle course, be­ tion is that men may change or thwart the course of nature lieve, nevertheless, ,that something should be conceded in as they please or as they are able to do without any con­ our time as regards certain precepts of the divine and sideration of the relation between the natural order and natural law. But these likewise, more or less wittingly, the divine order of things. are emissaries of the great enemy who is ever seeking to Man and his intelligence is wrongly assumed to be in sow cockle among the wheat." constant conflict with nature. From this false pre­ Excuses are advanced for divorce as they are for birth mise flows the belief that nature must in some way or other control "that the laws, institutions and customs by which be changed or frustrated in order to bring it into the serv­ wedlock is governed, since they take their origin solely ice of man. from the will of man, are subject entirely to him, hence can and must be founded, changed and abrogated accord· AN comes into conflict with nature as the laws of na­ ing to human caprice and the shifting circumstances of M. ture are ignored or distorted. The divine law is the human affairs; that the generative power which is grounded law of nature and of man's intelligence, and in so far as man in nature itself is more sacred and has wider range than departs from that law he conflicts with the divine purpose matrimony-hence it may be excused both outside as well of nature and destroys its harmony. When those who rec­ as within the confines of wedlock." ognize in marriage only a natural, in the sense of a physi- Christian marriage is a figure of the union between • All quotations are from the Gasti Gonll,bii Encyclical. Christ and the Church. That which disrupts the true 10 CATHOLIC ACTION J ·uly, 1932

Christian marriage breaks down the union between man But the law of God and the indissolubility of a properly and wife and Christ, and in consequence between society contracted marriage can not in the slightest degree be weak­ and Christ. To preserve the marriage union requires ened or set aside by such claims. A lawful marriage in­ unity of spirit and not merely union of body" for where cluding that legitimately contracted by non-Catholics be­ there exists diversity of mind, truth and feeling the bond fore the civil authorities "can never be deprived of its of union of mind and heart is wont to be broken, or at force by the decrees of men, the ideas of a people, or the least weakened." will of any legislator." The practice of contraceptive birth control, like that of -'HE spirit of the w·orld then which endeavors· to sep­ divorce, has arisen from the same utter disregard for the 1 arate man from Christ that it may accomplish his per­ law of God and the sacramental sanctity of marriage. Off­ dition seeks to justify not only divorce, but encourages spring is not desired so that there may be no interference in marriage a false independence of husband and wife with freedom of action and improper conduct either inside often fatal to domestic tranquility. It praises particu­ or outside the marriage bond. larly a supposed independence in religious viewpoints which ignores the friendly but serious counsel of the PECIOUS arguments are advanced from a social and Church in warning of mixed marriag· s. The mixed mar­ S economic point of view which if analyzed prove to have riage in the majority of cases is a source of spiritual dan­ as their inspiring motive even more selfish and dishonest ger and scandal not only to the parties of the contract but reasons than divorce. "But," states the Holy Father, "no to the offspring of such marriage. The mixed marriage reason, however grave, may be put forward by which any­ makes it specially difficult to avoid sinful relations and thing intrinsically against nature may become conformable makes almost impossible family peace and happiness where to nature and morally good." Therefore, he has declared, one party or the other· believes in the practice of contra­ " any use whatsoever of matrimony exercised in such a way ception. that the act is delib~rately frustrated in its natural power The mixed marriage very often is a step in the direc­ to generate life is an offense against the law of God and of tion of separation and divorce with ensuing evil results nature, and those who indulge in such are branded with to the souls of both parties. Further, it encourages that the . guilt of a grave sin." view which denies marriage its sacramental character. As the law of God and of nature forbids the sinful frus­ Those who hold that marriage is a civil contract or an tration of the conception of life so does it also condemn arrangement which may be voided on mutual consent of abortion or the taking or destruction of life after concep­ the parties, see no reason why a marriage between a Cath­ tion. Neither medical science nor public authority has any olic and a non-Catholic should not be contracted without right to destroy the innocent life in the womb, to accom­ regard to religious or moral beliefs or ecclesiastical laws. plish "the direct murder of the innocent." The progress of medicine and surgery has shown on many occasions that N favor of divorce it is argued that the innocent party life may be preserved which in the past it had been consid­ I should have the right to separate from the guilty party, ered impossible to save. Means have been discovered by but the insincerity of such an argument and the useless­ which may be successfully accomplished a parturition which ness of such action is disclosed by the claim that the guilty a few years ago meant the sacrifice of an innocent life. In party should have the right to withdraw from the union the United State today medicine is faced with a hame­ if it is di pleasing to that party. Such a claim can be only ful and inexcusable record of infant and maternal mortal­ viewed in most cases as a dishonest excuse for relations out­ ity which, it is admitted, can in large measure be avoided side the marriage bond. The guilty party has quite evi­ or greatly reduced. dently no intention from the beginning to be loyal to the marriage bond, knowing well that becau e of the easy path HE false conception of the law of nature and of he to divorce, t-here is no effectual bar to indiscriminate sexual T relation between our natural functions and the moral relations. Relations between the guilty one and a new order of things has led not only to frustration of the legiti­ partner will not be any more permanent or loyal than in mate purpose of marriage, but has also been the cause in the case of the first. recent years of the removal or rendering sterile of the or­ gans of reproduction. God is forgotten in the function of No claim for divorce can legitimately be laid to the wel­ creation. Contraception, abortion, and sterilization thus fare of the children of an unhappy or disloyal marriage. unite to defy the purpose of the Creator and the coopera­ In nine cases out of ten those who enter such marriages and tion with Him of the created. seek to leave them on the slightest provocation take means As the Sovereign Pontiff point out the individual soul to have no children. Where there are children at least and the family is vastly more sacred than the state. Indeed equal damage is done both to their spiritual and material if their sacred rights are to be ignored and trampled upon welfare by the divorce as by the dissatisfaction inside the the ultimate breakdown of the state is the inevitable result. union. (Continued on page 31) July, 1932 CATHOLlC ACTION 11

The CHURCH and By Grace H. Sherwood the DIGNITY of WOMAN

H ow MANY women of the present day, or men either, give thought or credit to the influence that changed the stalus of woman from a condition of bondage, degradation and oppression to one of true liberty, equality and dignity? That influence, as Mrs. Sherwood, well-known writer, properly points ont, was the Catholic Church. It was through Mary, the Mother of Christ, that woman came into her own; and it was the Church who, holding her forth as the perfection of the human race, fought, as she still fights, for the dignity of woman and for her security and honor, particularly in the married state. We are sure onr readers will experience a renewed sense of pride in both this glorious achievement of the Church and the dignity of her womanhood upon perusing Mrs. Sherwood's article.

NCE, as a young and immature girl, I accompanied raising woman to be man's partner in the marriage state, an older friend to a sermon by a noted Catholic where before she bad been but the creature of ?is fancy, O orator of that time. The church was huge and to be discarded ':Vhen her charms grew stale. So steadily packed, even to its aisles, with men and women who sat did she work that in spite of the ruin of the Roman em­ spell-bound under the power of the preacher's eloquence. pire and the hordes of barbarians that swept over Europe In the course of his remarks he spoke of the changes which by the . tenth century her law of indissoluble marriage, so the gospel had wrought in the pagan civilization of Christ's distasteful to the lust of man, had been incorporated i~to time, ending with, "And the woman heard and lifted up the civil legislation O'f every country of Europe. Divorce, her head." with its attendant evils, came back O'nly with the Protestant It was a Good Friday sermon and those few words were, revolt. I dare sa.y, merely an aside. Perhaps they remain'ed that to It was the law of the Church, not the civil law, which most of the others there, the day being what it was. But first declared that a woman O'ught not to be given in mar­ to myself, still in my teens, enjoying all the freedom that riage without her consent. It was the Church which first women enjoy nowadays, they were startling. "What did declared a widow had the right to' marry again, although he mean Y" 1 asked myself, going home, knowing little then the Justinian code forbade it. The Church led and, after of the long centuries of degradation and oppression which a while, the civil codes fell in line with her teachings. At had been the lot of women before the Christian era. All the first council of the Church in England, in 673, the the rest of the sermon, moving as I remember it to have bishO'Ps declared openly for indissO'luble marriage, quoting been, faded quickly from my mind but· those few words older canons of the Church in support of their position. remained. The man who uttered them has been dead for Divorce, that is for the man, was common among almost all several years but long before he died I had found the savage tribes. Christianizing them, the Church eliminated answer to the question he raised in my young mind that divorce and made the wife's position secure and honO'red. spring night. For the history of the Catholic Church is the story of a OR -the Church has .always had Mary in mind, Mary long battle waged for the dignity of 'woman under the new Ffull of Grace, Mary, the beginning of Christianity, one dispensation. She found woman the slave and chattel of may say in all reverence. God had appointed men to be man; she found her the victim of laws which deprived her rulers and priests, but it was to a woman not to a man that of the right to dispose of her person, her life or the children the ang~l, Gabriel, was sent to say that the long time of that she bore. And steadily, the Church labored to change waiting for a Redeemer was over. Gabriel, the archangel, these laws, to infuse the spirit of her own law into the stood be~O're the simple maid of Nazareth, and when he left code of every country into which her missionaries pene­ her the chains of contempt with which men had loaded trated. And that law was that men and women, equally, women since the WO'rld began commenced to fall asunder, are the children of God. although none knew it as yet. Apparently, the world went on as before. The priests NCH by inch, century by century, she fought for the in the temple who would have scoffed, no doubt, at the I rights of her daughters as well as her SODS, beating down, thought of a village girl being taken into the confidence of one by one, the ancient customs which had enslaved women, God, went about their duties in the temple that her Son clearing out the muck of polygamy, divorce, concubinage, would soon cause to fall about their ears; merchants sold 12 CATHOLIC ACTION July, 1932 their wares; men crowded the streets as usual; even Joseph of women, each emphasizing, in her own way, that woman agonized in secret, not knowing what to do. But Mary had her part to playas well as man. told no one, not even Joseph. The thing that had happened The Catholic woman knows that there is room in the to her was a secret of the Most High. He, in His own way, Church for all, for the great and the little, the gifted and would straighten out whatever difficulties it brought with the ignorant, the virgin, the widow and the wife. Does the it. Full of it, she journeyed swiftly to another woman, her world talk of feminism Y The Catholic woman remembers kinswoman, busy only about the business of her sex. that before the word was coined there was Catherine of Sienna, there was the great Theresa, there was the Abbess, ND so, not to the notables of earth but to a woman, Hilda, to whom men journeyed to be taught-all proving A Elizabeth, was the actual presence of the Redeemer that intellect, courage, ability, vision, holiness, any great upon earth first made known. Her husband, Zachary, was quality, can be the dower of women as well as men. One a high priest and entitled, one would say, to such an honor. of our glorious saints, Joan of Are, was the very quin­ But he had failed in faith and had been smitten dumb for tessence of feminism. ' 'There are enough to cook and to his incredulity. Now he sat in silence while his wife and sew," she retorts as she sallies forth to save her country. her cousin, Mary, spu e of the wonders of God. Elizabeth But woman's greatest privilege, after all, her supreme and Mary spoke togethf'r and today, after 2,000 years, what and abiding privilege is that of motherhood, sanctified for they said, two obscure women greeting each other, is still all time by the Divine Maternity of Mary. All lesser echoed by millions of tongues every day, every hour. Popes, privileges lead up to it, exist because of it. Moreover, bishops, kings and martyrs die with the name of Mary most of the work that women do most happily is some ex­ on their lips and Elizabeth's prophetic "Blessed art thou tension of motherhood, when we examine it narrowly. among women" to give them hope. The vesper service is intoned in lofty cathedrals; and Mary's "My soul doth UT this privilege of motherhood has its price as does magnify the Lord" gladdens hearts today as it did hers B every privilege, every honor. Above the road to it is then. No wonder that the Church with unerring wisdom, set the sign of sacrifice. Everywhere upon it is to be found, has incorporated these words of theirs into her l~turgy. suffering, toil, self-forgetfulness. Motherhood is the result N or has the Church stopped with incorporating these of marriage, and marriage, to be successful, _means the words to and by the Blessed Virgin into the services by subordination of the wife's interests to that of her hus­ which she moves men's hearts. She points to Mary always band's. The Pope has put it another way but every happily as her greatest. Wise and holy men have walked the earth married woman knew it before he spoke. There is an order in countless thousands since Mary's time but the Virgin in marriage, as in everything else in life. And in that of Nazareth shines out, in her sinlessness, above them all. order the husband's interests come first. To make a home And the wisest of men and the holiest have been the readiest, for him, to encourage him and comfort him, to have chil­ always, to proclaim her eminence, and loving her, to honor dren, God willing, these are the first duties of a married all women for her sake. woman. After they are done, properly, then can come out­ side things, the cultivation of what talents she may possess. HE Church has been the friend of women because But when outside things interfere with home life, they must T Christ, her Founder, was. It was to the request of a be curtailed, not home duties. woman, His Mother, that we owe the lovely 'beginning of It sounds like a hard law, to some women. But life is miracles that was done in Cana of Galilee, performed to not easy, at the best, and hardly ever for women. And set her mind at rest about a question of hospitality, a after all one is free to choose, marriage or freedom from woman's concern. And the Church, remembering that this subordination of personal interests. But once having Christ answered her wish so promptly, bids us go to Mary chosen the path is clear. when in difficulty. ------4------Likewise the Church has preserved for us, in the gospels, WHY THE CHRISTIAN MARRIAGE ENCYCLICAL? the story of Claudia Procula, the wife of Pontius Pilate, (Continued from page 6) who was the only one to raise a voice in behalf of Christ Time was when Reno occupied a position of supremacy as on the terrible night of His passion. In the same gospel, it the purveyor of quick and convenient divorces. But the state of Arkansas entered into the competition and lured away some is told that men had been His companions and friends and of the profits from Nevada. Then Yucatan in Mexico underbid had shared with Him the Bread of Life that very night, them both and sold divorces for $25 spot cash. Russia makes but amidst the tumult of Pilate's judgment hall there was it still easier and cheaper to get rid of one's "husband" or "wife" no one to defend Him but her, "Have nothing to do with and-latest in the ungodly game-is the new Spanish Republic which provides divorces on demand. this just man." Similarly the Church has preserved the In view of these facts and tendencies, any further delay upon story o~ Magdalene at the tomb, the first to be gladdened the part of the Pope in the attempt to set the world straight on by the sight of Christ's glorified face, a woman whom men, the question of marriage, the home and family might well seem sinful. A clear, forceful reaffirmation of the spiritual and re­ having brought her to what she was, spurned. Each has ligious purport of the Holy Sacrament of Matrimony was im­ her place in the Gospel, the purest, the ordinary, the worst peratively demanded. July, 1932 CATHOLIC ACTION 13

IN t~s valuable article, Father Kaiser, of the Mission House, Fathers of the Precious Blood, Cleveland, Ohio, treats of the blessings of marriage under the fol­ lowing headings: Stability, sacrament, conjugal fidelity, BLESSINGS offspring. He concludes with these meaningful words: "We never learn the sweetness and richness of life until we realize what it means to live for others-to pray, to labor, to sacrifice for others, for our own flesh and blood, our own little ones, our own types and repre­ sentatives for the future. Nothing is eternal but love­ of MARRIAGE the love of God which inspires self-devotion to others.9' By Rev. Albert F.' Kaiser, C.PP.S.

ARRIAGE IS A CONTRACT between a man and persons and an intimate fellowship of hearts by nature a woman who by free and untrammeled mutual strongly require, since true love is everlasting. M consent enter a spiritual and physical relation­ Secondly, a strong bulwark is set up against incitements ship, whose primary purpose, which may never be with­ to infidelity, should any be encountered from within or held nor directly thwarted, is the procreation and educa­ from without; all anxious fear lest in adversity or old age tion of children. Secondary ends, which likewise justify the other spouse would prove unfaithful is precluded and in marriage and its use, are mutual aid and relief from con­ its ·place there reigns a calm sense of security. cupiscence. By nature and divine institution, this contract, Thirdly, stability tends to maintain conjugal and paren­ once made and consummated, is one and indissoluble. . For tal dignity and the ascendency of the spiritual outlook Christians, it is a sacrament. which in turn guards moral integrity and domestic virtue. This sacred institution derives from God, who created Fourthly, mutual aid is guaranteed, and secured. Lovers, man male and female and bade them leave father and who from the very beginning realize that marriage makes mother and cling to each other, as two in one flesh, for what companions for life, since the divine law tolerates no di­ God hath joined together, let no man put asunder. God vorce, will make an honest effort to obtain a suitable and likewise laid down the indispensable ends for which it was dependable mate. Once married, they are more likely to established, the sacred laws that must govern it and the rich appreciate the all-important psychological fact that happi­ blessings that flow from it. These very ends, laws and ness lies in their own hands, depending to a very great ex­ blessings are one with marriage and inseparable from it. tent upon mutual understanding, sympathy, aid. One cannot truly consent to marriage without at least im­ plicitly intending to act in accordance with nature and di­ IFTHLY: Only in an atmosphere of unassailable sta­ vine law. The brazen intention to exclude children, to F bility can parents muster up sufficient mutual trust to ignore conjugal fidelity, to break the bond at will, or to shoulder the responsibility connected with the physical up­ spurn the sacramental form, renders the attempt not only bringing and spiritual training of children, especially now­ sinful and vicious but even null and void from the be­ adays when social and economic instability keep one guess­ ginning. Real marriage cannot therefore be contracted as ing about his next job or next meal. a mere childless, triangular, temporary, secular affair. Sixthly: The continuance of Church and State rests on As instituted by God, who knows human nature and the unshakable firmness of the home, which is the one human needs far better than short-sighted ' 'rational' , mother cell of domestic, social, religious life. animals, _marriage is not a mere venture or temporary ex­ A second blessing closely connected with stability and de­ pedient, much less an experiment; but rather a fixed per­ signed to buttress the natural firmness with a supernatural manent state, arising from a physical and spiritual bond, , , prop" is contained in the sacramental graces, to which with exclusive rights and inclusive duties. Exclusiveness Christians have a right in virtue of the sacrament. Con­ protects conjugal fidelity. Inclusiveness, striking a bal­ sidering all the innate and acquired difficulties of married ance between right.s and obligations, prevents mere gratifi­ life, we can easily understand why the Son of God, in His cation for its own sake. Stability tends to keep the bond broad sympathy ahd deep love for fallen nian, elevated the sacred and secure. natural union to a sacramental one. If natural marriage to a great extent had failed, it was because men refused to HE benefits flowing from an unbreakable bond are quite invite God to the marriage feast to bless their union. Christ T obvious to anyone who is willing to disengage himself attended the marriage feast of Cana and probably on this from self-interest and emotion and look at the matter ob­ occasion sanctified marriage with sacramental graces. We jectively in the light of social and spiritual welfare. recall this scene not merely because He provided a little First, the spouses possess a positive guarantee of the en­ wine but also a great sacrament, through which human love duringness of this stability which a gt=merous yielding of was to .be consecrated to higher and nobler ends. And the 14 CATHOLIC ACTION July, 1932

sacrament was to be an efficacious sign and source of that order, the structure of the family and its fundamental law peculiar internal grace perfecting that which is naturally established by God must always and everywhere be main­ imperfect; sanctifying what naturally tends to gratifica­ tained intact. tion; supernaturalizing the sentimental, spiritualizing the The divine law positively establishes marriage as one carnal, confirming what nature already made an indissolu­ and inseparable and the Christian dispensation makes ble union. (See Trid Council. Session XXIV.) it a sacrament. Whether a particular marriage is blessed with children or not, man and wife remain one and insep­ HRISTIAN marriage, stable and sacramental, there­ arable unto death. Unity and indissolubility are positive C fore opens up to the faithful who with sincere mind divine law. The law of offspring, however, is not a positive and pure heart enter the contract, a treasure of sacramental command in the strict sense, since men and women are free grace from which flows the supernatural power to live holy to marry or not to marry, and once married are free to use lives and persevere in the faithful performance of conjugal or (with mutual consent) refrain from using conjugal rela­ and parental duties. The sacrament, when received in the tions, presupposing a worthy cause and unblemished con­ state of grace and without any impediment of divine or duct. Because God told Adam and Eve to increase and ecclesiastical law and according to the prescribed fnrm, not multiply and fill the earth, one need not conclude that this only increases the permanent principle of the supernatural was necessarily a command at all, much less a universal life-namely sanctifying grace, but a1 0 adds particular one. St. Thomas and other theologians interpret it as a . gifts, dispositions, seeds of grace. The latter elevate and counsel and a blessing. perfect the natural powers in such a way that" the parties are assisted not only in understanding but in knowing inti­ o bring children into the world and rear them in a truly mately, in adhering to firmly, in willing effectively, and in Christian home, adorning their impressionable minds successfully carrying out the aims and ideals of the sacra­ T and hearts with the science of the saints, conducting them mental contract. We cal~ these things seeds of grace in so by precept and example to the highest reaches of virtue, to far as they convey actual assisting grace, when the need say nothing of the self-evident duty of educating them for arises. Like seeds, they give one the right to expect fruit in some honorable worldly career, if not unto a religious voca­ due season. tion, should they be so inclined and adapted, is indeed a A third blessing of Christian marriage is unity, or ex­ privilege and an honor. clusiveness. Marriage makes man and wife two in one flesh so that conjugal union belongs by right and privilege Around the hearth-fire of love glows the innate and almost exclusively to these two. No other may step between to mar divine love for children. Children complete, perfect and love's holy compact or share love's intimacies. Deliberate bless a home. Little bundles of love, little packages of infidelity, whether in desire or in act, is a henious crime sunshine, dropping from heaven into the self-sacrificing against the marriage contract, since thereby the sanctity of lap of motherhood: the bond is defiled and dragged into the mire. • A partnership with God is motherhood; What strength, what purity, what self-control, HERE is a four-fold infidelity to be rigidly guarded What love, what wisdom should belong to her T against; the unreasonable refusal of conjugal rights to Who helps God fashion an immortal soul. one's lawful sponse, the shameful advancing or cowardly Fathers and mothers, as it were, help God in creating new yieldjng .to a third party, the deliberate abuse of sex, life and in sanctifying that life by their guidance of the child whether solitary or mutual, the artificial and unnatural in­ to the Church and Christ's sacraments. To educate and train children for heaven is an occupation worthy of the highest terference with birth or conception by positive means or angels. What else are parents but God's intermediaries in a interceptive devices. Infidelity to the divine law of chas­ physical way as the ordained priest is in a spiritual way! tity, hiding under the veil of respectability, becomes all the This wonderful privilege, entailing as it does many burdens­ mo,re despicable. which true love makes a joy-may be used only by men and women who are joined in wedlock according to the divine law Peace and harmony require oneness in authority, or as and ecclesiastical form. Catholics, to enjoy this honor, must be St. Augustine calls it, order of love. This order includes married by the Church's official witness, the priest. primacy of the husband with regard to the wife and chil­ Only those are truly married in the sight of God, who like dren, and the ready snbjection and willing obedience of the Tobias and Sarah, wed for the sake of offspring, not merely for self-indulgence. Self-sacrifice, self-forgetfulness, the power to wife. As regards obedience, the wife is by no means the do without-these and similar Christian virtues must be rein­ slave or chattel of her husband. Hers is the dignity of a stated, before smiling, fair-eyed, happy children, like morning human being, the position of a life-companion and life­ sunshine, find a welcome in the modern home. Selfishness with much can do little, but love with little can do partner. She is not to be treated as a minor or dependent much. We never learn the sweetness and richness of life unbil but as an equal, worthy of confidence, consideration and we realize what it means to live for others-to pray, to labor, to respect. If the husband renders himself incapable or un­ sacrifice for others-yea, for our own flesh and blood, our own worthy or in any way neglects his duty, it falls to the wife dear little ones, our own types and representatives for the future. Nothing is eternal but love-the love of God which to take his place il). directing the family. As a matter of inspires self-devotion to others. July, 1932 ... CATHOLIC ACTION 15

PRESERVING the INTEGRITY

By Mabel H. Mattingly Of MARRIED L~FE

UOTING effectively from Pope Pius Xl's Encyclical on "Christian Marriage," Mrs. Mattingly, assistant professor Q of Child WeHare, Western Reserve University, e,mphasizes in the accompanying article the obligations of the in­ dividual as well as the State in preventing the abuses of marriage. All Catholics will join in the hope which Mrs. Mattingly expresses, viz: that the Holy Father's words will "serve to quicken and revivify the Christian mind through­ out the world; to bring back all of the remembered benedictions and the revered sanctities which characterized the Holy Family at Nazareth." ,

HE fullness of the efficacy of any sacrament depends mental life of the Church is a true source of strength. Un­ on our cooperation, on our entering into the spirit of less man can discern with certainty what are the laws of T the sacrament, which is ultimately the spirit of Christ the Church, the restoration of these laws in the divine har­ Himself. This spirit, naturally, we find only in the Church mony can not be brought about. which is the continuation of the living Christ. If we are "For this reason, Christ Himself made the Church the Catholic not only in word but in the interpretation of all teacher of truth in those things which concern the right knowledge, there is special appeal in the beautiful and in­ regulation of moral conduct ... a filial and humble obedi­ spiring words of our Holy Father in reference to the spirit­ ence towards the Church should be combined with devoted­ ual remedies for the abuses of marriage. With simple ness in ,God. ' , clarity he lays down the firmly established principle that It may not be amiss to mention in passing that when our "whatever things have deviated from their right order can Holy Father speaks of the Church as teacher, he is like­ not be brought back to that original state which is in har­ wise mindful that the int~rpretation of knowledge must mony with their nature except by a return to the divine rest with those who may have all the attributes of holiness, plan." Man must subject himself to God and by the aid but who may fail as teachers. There is a grave danger of of divine grace overcome the power of unbridled lust. routinization which must be constantly guarded against. ( 'Due preparation remote and proximate" is suggested as Who, indeed, could understand the full interpretation of an essential requisite for the continuing and beneficial the words of" Cardinal Bellarmine, quoted in the encyclical effects of the sacrament. and fail to exemplify in his life all of its beautiful impli­ cation. "For it is a sacrament like to that of the Eucha­ EARLY a quarter of a century ago, a well-known rist, which not only when it is being conferred but also priest addressing the graduates of a Catholic college N while it remains, is a sacrament; for as long as the mar­ for women, closed his inspjring baccalaureate sermon with ried parties are alive, so long is their union a sacrament these words: "Be women of prayer and I will answer for of Christ and the Church." you." No one -who was privileged to hear his voice on that occasion could have failed to be impressed with the Just as the crystallized thought and prayer of the saints challenge of this spiritual preparation for a life of activ­ and martyrs of the centuries have served in that great ity in the world. It is doubtful, however, how far such prayer of t~e Holy Sacrifice of the Mass to provoke that an appeal can be effective with adults if the habit of prayer sublime entreaty" Sursum Cordd," so the meditations of has not been established in early childhood. Peace of soul the laity will, under th~ guidance of those imbued with a true teaching spirit, with equal fervor make the joyful re­ is necessary as a foundation of fruitful activity. Not only u in the case of the great saints whose lives have been re­ sponse- H abem'l('s ad DominIum." corded, but many of the most successful married couples, whose heroic histories will never be written, know full well ONE ' of the most beautiful passages in the encyclical the mainspring of their accomplishments. They attribute co~cerns itself with the necessity of guarding against whatever success they have attained to the fact that God "exaggerated private judgment and the fal e autonomy is acting through them. By prayer and mortification they of human reason." This is all the more true of the 'ob­ have achieved that intimate union with God which gives servance of the divine law \vhich demands sometimes hard balance not only to their thoughts but to their actions. and repeated Hacrifices, for which, as experience points The spiritual influence which radiates from the sacra- (Turn to page 18) MONTH by MONT·H influence felt. The knowledge that what we seek to do in Amer­ CATHOLIC ACTION ica corresponds fully with the most fervent desires of the Sovereign Pontiff is one of the dearest impressions of my present OFFICIAL ORGAN OF TRJII stay in Rome. NATIONAL CATHOLIC W:E;LFARE CONFERENCE "Let me also add that another great comfort to me has been "We have grouped together,. under the National that of hearing from the lips of the Holy Father the highest Oatholic Welfare Oonference, the variou. agencies words of appreciation for our general secretary, the Rev. Father btl which the cause of religion i. furthered. Each of these, continuing its own special work in its chosen John J. Burke, and for the indefatigable and intelligent activity field, will flOW derive additional support through carried out by him in the organization of the National Catholic general cooperation." Welfare Conference. The Pope esteems and loves him and, if -From the 1919 Pastoral Letter of the Archbishops and Bishops of the U. B. this is a comfort for the Administrative Committee which places full confidence in him, it must be for him a most delightful N. C. W. C. Administrative CODlDlittee recompense for his assiduous work. For him and for us, for all MOST REV. EDWARD J. HANNA, D.D., Archb.. op of San those who in any way work in the National Catholic We' f a Francisco, chairman of the committee and of the Executive Department; MOST REV. THOMAS F. LILLIS, D.D., Bishop of Conference, the supreme ambition is that-as Cardinal Rossi Kansas City, vice-chairman, and chairman, Department of Social wrote me--this great Conference may flourish more and more Action; MOST REv. JOHN G. MURRAY, S.T.D., Archbishop of St. for the welfare of the Church and all of the faithful." Paul, treasurer, and chairman, Legal Department; MOST REV. JOHN F. NOLL, D.D., Bishop of Fort Wayne, secretary; MOST REV. JOHN T. McNICHOLAS, O.P., S.T.M., Archbishop of Cin­ cinnati, chairman, Department of Education; MOST REV. JOSEPH 'York of N. C. W. C. Explained SCHREllBS, D.D., Bishop of Cleveland, chairman, Department of Lay Organizations; and MOST .REV. HUGR C. BOYLE, D.D., in New Text for Secondary Schools Bishop of Pittsburgh, chairman, Press Department. ORE AND MORE-in sermons, special articles, public ad­ Assistant Bishops, Adnlinistrative CODlDlittee M dresses, convention papers, etc.-are the aims and purpose MOST REV. SAMUEL A. STRITCH, D.D., Archbishop of Mil­ of Catholic Action, as desired by Pope Pius XI and sponsored and waukee; MOST REV. EDWARD F. HOBAN, D.D., Bishop of Rock­ directed in the United States by the archbishops and bishops ford; MOST REV. EMMET M. W ALSR, D.D., Bishop of Charles­ of the country united in the N. C., being urged upon our ton: MOST REV. JOSEPH F. RUMMEL, D.D., Bishop of Omaha; c. w. MOST REV. JOHN F. O'HERN, D.D., Bishop of Rochester; and Catholic people. Last year there was a notable increase in MOST REV. EDWIN V. O'HARA, D.D., Bishop of Great Falls. Catholic leadership courses, planned with reference to practical REV. JOHN J. BURQ, C.S.P., S.T.D. Catholic Action, for the students in Catholic colleges and univer­ General Secretary sities. The latest and perhaps most important trend in this direction is noted in the effort being made to bring a knowledge CHARLES A. McMAHON Editor of and interest in CathoHc Action to the students of our ele­ mentary and secondary schools. Opinion, eIDpre8,ed in articles published in th'UJ To this end, William H. Sadlier, Inc., has just made a most magazine are to be regarded as those of the re'pec­ valuable contribution through the publication of Book III in a five contributorl. They do not necessariltl carry with them the formal approval of the Administra­ Catholic Action Series. The new text takes for its subtitle tive Oommittee. National OathoZic Welfare Oon­ "Engaging in Catholic Action" and devotes its concluding chap­ ference. ter to the history, aims and accomplishments of the National Catholic Welfare Conference under the title "United Catholic Act-ion," giving therein a most complete statement of the work of the Conference, of its various departments and local units, Holy Father Praises American Hierarchy, as well as affiliated organizations. The chapter on "Social Service" gives prominent mention to the place of the National Clergy and Laity for United Efforts Through N.C.W.C. Catholic School of Social Service in this important field. Other A ROME CABLE under date of June 6 from Msgr. Enrico chapters deal with activities which have been the concern of the Pucci, Rome correspondent of the N. C. W. C. News Service, N. C. W. C. since its inception-Catholic Education, Citizenship, brings news of the recent audience of Archbishop Hanna, chair­ the Industrial Problem, Economic Organization of Society, man, Administrative Committee, N. C. W. C., with His Holiness, Recreation, etc. Pope Pius XI in which the Holy Father expressed deep satisfac­ That a knowledge of the many important fields of Catholic tion at the work of the bishops, clergy and laity of the United Action and opportunibies for useful service therein is being States acting through the N. C. W. C. Quoting Archbishop brought to the classroom of our Catholic secondary schools; and Hanna on his interview with the Holy Father, Monsignor Pucci that the proper correlation of religion is being made with the wrote: other subjects of the curriculum--civics, economics, history, "Pope Pius expressed his profound satisfaction at this work of sociology-are cause for deep satisfaction. It is making the the American Hierarchy, the clergy and the laity. The Holy right beginning in the right place. Father said that he observed in the various branches of the The joint authors of the book-Rev. Raymond J. Campion, National Catholic Welfare Conference what Catholic Action Cathedral College High School, Brooklyn, and Dr. Ellamay really should be--activity carried out by the laity at the side Horan, De Paul University, Chicago-are to be congratulated on of the Hierarchy in every field in which Christian life must be the excellent selection of material and its effective presentation. affirmed. These fields he enumerated: in family life, in social Numerous pictures and pertinent bibliographical references life, in scholastic life, in the field of labor, in professional ac­ greatly enhance the value of this up-to-the-minute text, which tivities, in the press--everywhere, in a word, where the faith should have a place not only in our Catholic schools but in the and morals of the Catholic Church can make their beneficient library and on the home reading table. 18 the N. c. w. c. New Publications of the important personages at the Tomb of the French Unknown ceremony were General Fox, military attache of the United N. C. W. C. Social Action Department States; General Gouraud, military governor of Paris; General EVERAL timely pamphlets dealing with present day indus­ Walch of the Superior War Council, representing the French S trial, economic and social problems have recently issued from Government; Col. Drake, retired U. S. A., and Dean Beekman, the Social Action Department, N. C. W. C. One is a reprint of of the American Pro-Cathedral Church. the symposium published in this magazine in May, 1932, on In the afternoon a ceremony was held at the Suresnes Ameri­ "Reconstructing the Social Order," including commentaries on can Cemetery, near Paris, in which the N. C. W. C. also par­ this great _encyclical as follows: "The Indictment," by Rev. Dr. ticipated through its represen~ative. Wreaths were placed and John A. Ryan; "Property," by Rev. Francis X. Foley; "Wages," graves decorated. Ambassador Edge and General Walch spoke. by Rev. Dr. Joseph Husslein, S.J.; "Unions," by Rev. Dr. Father McDarby, of St. Joseph's Church, gave the invocation Francis J. Haas; "Economic Reorganization," by J. E. Hagerty, and Dean Beekman, ()f the American Pro-Cathedral Church, the Ph.D.; "Legislation," by Linna E. Bresette; and "Working for Benediction. Gold Star mothers of the 1932 pilgrimages were a New Social Order," by Rev. R. A. McGowan. present. The assemblage went from Suresnes to 'Garches for The pamphlet includes also a summary text for individual a special ceremony at the LaFayette Escadrille Memorial, the study or for three discussions at group or organization meetings crypts of which hold the remains of most of the dead of the and a study club outline presenting topics for discussion and famous wartime flying unit of Americans. questions to be answered. General Pershing spoke at the services in the Aisne-Marne The list of new pamphlets includes Catholic Rural Life by Cemetery at Belleau Wood. Rev. Edgar Schmiedeler, O.S.R, Ph.D., director of the Rural Life Bureau, N. C. W. C., presenting the following three topics: "Social Life in a Rural Parish," "Town and Country Families," Canadian Archdiocese Adopts and "A Rural Creed." N. C. W. C. 'Plan of Religious Vacation Schools A pamphlet from the Family Life Section of the N. C. W. C. T HE Rural Life Bureau, N. C. W. C., has received word from Social Action Department is entitled Parent and Child. The the Most Reverend James C. McGuigan, Archbishop of subject is treated under the following headings: "Why Parent Regina, Canada, that "religious vacation schools are to be Education Today," "Guides for the Training of Children," ";Re­ held throughout the archdiocese this summer. Regina will be ligious Training in the Home," and "Moral and Social Training the first diocese in Canada, in fact, the first diocese outside of in the Home." Another of this same section is The Family, pre- the United States, to adopt this method of religious instruc­ - sentling "Some Factors in Family Failure," "Family Bonds," tion. The Manual of Religious Vacation Schools, issued by the and "Conserving the Family." Rural Life Bureau, N. C'. W. C., will be used in all the schools. Rev. Dr. John A. Ryan, director of the N. C. W. C. Social By special letters,. Archbishop McGuigan has called upon the Action Department, and Rev. R. A. McGowan, assistant director, clergy, seminarians, sisters, and lay men and women to cooper­ are the authors of "two pamphlets published during the past ate in this undertaking. A special committee of five priests has month by the Catholic Conference on Industrial Problems. The been appointed to organize the work for the summer, and all title of the pamphlet by Dr. Ryan is "Catholic Principles in priests are urged to take a personal interest and to start as the Present Crisis" and that by Father McGowan, "Property, many vacation schools as possible. Organization, Government Action"-an application of Pope . The launching of the rural vacation school pro~ect is but a Pius Xl's "Reconstructing the Social Order" to American agri­ part of a large and thorough catechetical action program in­ culture. augurated by Archbishop McGuigan. A feature of this organ­ The C. C. 1. P. has also released a recent address by Dr. Ryan ized catechetical work is the establishment of the Confraternity under the title" 'Radical' Pronouncements of Popes Leo XIII of Christian Doctrine in every parish and mission. and Pius XL" Prices on the N. C. W. C. pamphlets"and others mentioned in the foregoing may be obtained from N. C. W. C. headquarters. Rev. Dr. Schmiedeler to be Next Speaker on 'the Catholic Hour N. C. W. C. Represented in Memorial R ~VEREND EDGAR SCHMIEDELER, O.S.B., Ph.D., di- Day Tribute to World War Dead Overseas redor of the Rural Life Bureau, N. C. W. C., will follow Reverend Dr. Edward Lodge Curran as the speaker on the ASS was celebrated at St. Joseph's Church, 50 A venue Catholic Hour. Dr. Schmiedeler's talks .will be given on July M Hoche, Paris, and prayers were offered for the war dead 25 and 31 and will deal with the general subject, Rural Catholic as a part of the program arranged May 30 by the Ameri­ Action. The first address will be entitled "The Rural Parish," can Overseas Memorial Day Association. Exercises were and the second, "Rural Catholic Action: Its Objectives." held in Paris, among the American cemeteries and at isolated Dr. Schmiedeler is a member of the Benedictine Community graves of American military dead in Europe. Services identical at Atchison, Kans. He holds his degree, with major in sociol­ with the ceremony of May 30, 1918, when Paris was confused ogy, from the Catholic University of America. He was for and in great danger, were held also at 10 :30 a. m. in the Ameri­ some years head of the Department of Sociology at St. Bene­ can Pro-Cathedral, Avenue George 5, Paris. The congregations dict's College, Atchison. Upon the appointment of the Most from both churches joined and proceeded to the Tomb of the Reverend Edwin V. O'Hara to the See of Great Falls, in 1930, French Unknown Soldier, where wreaths were placed by Am­ Dr. Schmiedeler was selected to succeed him in the capacity of bassador Edge in behalf of the American Government and others director of the Rural Life Bureau, N. C. W. C., at Washington, by various American societies and groups. D. C., and executive secretary of the Catholic Rural Life Con­ The N. C. W. C. wreath was placed by the Misses Eileen and ference. Yuelyne Harrison, daughters of Mrs. B. Harrison, Paris agent During July and August the Question and Answer Period of the N. C. W. C. Bureau of Historical Records. Among the will be omitted from the program of the Catholic Hour. 17 18 CATHOLIC ACTION J'ltly, 1932

Preserving the Integrity of Married I..Iife-continued from page 15

out, a weak man can find so many excuses for avoiding able dwellings, by unemployment, inadequate wages and the fulfillment of the divine law." exhorbitant prices of commodities make it incumbent on Our Holy Father explicitly differentiates between re­ the rich to help the poor and also for public authority to ligious training in regard to Christian marriage and "ex­ supplement private resources wherever necessary. There aggerated physiological education by means of which ... is a clarion call to look on poverty as a spiritual phenome­ is learned the art of sinning in a subtle way rather than non rather than a ,t social process" and to deal with it as ,the virtue of living chastely." a significant phase of the failure of the Christian scheme The necessity of using. wisely the rights of marriage in of life. the early years of wedlock makes easier the virtue of con­ There is a note of the practical however in the admoni­ tingence' which may need to be practiced later. Discipline tion: tt Care, however, must be taken that the parties them­ is something interior and involves not only the intellectual selves, for a considerable time before entering upon mar­ but the volitional element as well. Throughout the encycli­ ried life, should strive to dispose of, or at least to diminish, cal, stress is laid on the fact that the beneficent effect of the material obstacles in their way. The manner in which the other sacraments can be utilized to assist us over the this may be done effectively and honestly must be pointed difficult places. out by those who are experienced." With fatherly solicitude and rare understanding, our HE priest prays daily in his preparation before Com­ Holy Father deplores the necessity of t, working mothers" T munion: "Let the partaking of Thy Body, 0 Lord and also points out how easy it is for the married couple to Jesus Christ . . . be to me as a safeguard and a remedy lose heart when oppressed by poverty and confronted with both to mind and body." If one who lives within the the extraordinary expenses of child birth. Grave harm sanctuary and in such intimate union with Our Divine can result to the State if these needs of families are neg­ Lord needs the spiritual strengths for "mind and body," lected. The possibilities of social upheaval as a result of how much more necessary are these strengths for those who social injustices should not be entirely disregarded. A by force of circumstances may not be able to partake daily cardinal principle in the guidance of a happy and well of the Eucharist but are suffering all or the family ten­ integrated life implies a certain amount of faith in the ex­ sions which the present economic situation has created. isting social and economic structure. It is incumbent then on those contemplating marriage to make due preparation in a material as well as a spiritual F WE accept in principle that the foundations of the ~ way, to understand the nature of the sacrament and, in I State rest on the moral order, it follows naturally that order to attain its fullest benefits, to cooperate actively the State draws its life from the family. It is well to re­ through constant prayer and frequent reception of the member in this connection that, notwithstanding some of sacraments. Subjecting oneself to Our Divine Lord, who the current sociological doctrines, human society both in speaks through His Church as His teacher, involves true its primitive and organized form originated by marriage humility. Divine grace must flow constantly into us from and not, as some would have us believe, marriage by so­ its Source, if the divine harmony of Revelation is to echo ciety. In a day when well-intentioned but misguided re­ effectively in the temples of our souls. formers are seeking to subvert the ends of marriage through propaganda of various kinds, it is like a breath of fresh air to find our Holy Father advocating that the State protect T IS also incumbent on those united in marriage to the chastity of the marriage bond by eliminating the serve "the noble purposes of wedlock for their own I ca'ltses that lie in the social and economic structure, rather welfare, for that of their children, of the community, and than devising means which are repulsive and contrary to for that of human relationship." Knowledge that comes the natural law. The recent experience of the Holy See in through understanding and appreciation of the nature of concluding the pact with the Kingdom of Italy is an illus­ the sacrament, action and conduct that emerge with the tration of the possibilities of working out associations with aid of divine grace, constitute the spiritual remedies for the State which will be of mutual benefit; because both the abuse of marriage. Church and State, built on the same moral foundations The obligations of the individual connote a correspond­ have similar objectives in the welfare of the souls who ing obligation on the part of the State. There are civil constitute the State. remedies that can and should be utilized to prevent the abuses of marriage. "F OR the preservation of the moral order neither the Wherever "conjugal integrity encounters difficulties by laws and sanctions of the temporal power are suf­ reason of straitened circumstances, their necessities must ficient ... Religious authority must enter in to enlighten be relieved as far as possible." The injustices brought the mind, to direct the will, and to strengthen human about in the social and economic Qrder by the lack of suit- (Continued on page 31) July, 1932 CATHOLIC ACTION 19

CATHOLIC ACTION and

By Rev. Edgar Schmiedele'r, O.S.B. the FAMILY

pOPE PIUS XI in his Encyclical on "Christian Marriage" makes a number of definite recommendations for Catho- lic Action in the field of family welfare-recommendations that suggest a great variety of pf)ssible activities by in­ dividuals and organizations in behalf of the home. Dr. Schmiedeler, director of the Family Life Section, N. C. W. C. Social Action Department, concludes the accompanying analysis of this phase of the encyclical by pointing out four logical lines of effort which should aid materially the Holy Father's vigorous crusade for a flourishing Christian family life.

N HIS Encyclical on "Christian Marriage," Pius XI of a .... conference group on marriage and the family, made points unerringly to the fundamentals of our primary up of the more capable students of this fundamental social. I social institution, the family, and condemns the errors institution. Indeed, such a conference seems essential if of the day that run counter to it. But he does not rest sat­ suitable guidance and leadership in this work are to be isfied with that. He points the way to action. He indi­ furnished, if thoroughgoing study of the entire field is to cates the remedies that must be applied if Christian mar­ be undertaken, if ,a fitting literature is to be developed and riage is to blossom forth again into the full bloom of an the necessary inspiration and enthusiasm for a determined earlier day. and progressive movement are to be engendered. It is, in Some months earlier, in his Encyclical on "Christian fact, very surprising that with so many national Catholic Education, " His Holiness also called attention to the . organizations in existence, there is not one whose prime fundamental part the family must play in the scheme of purpose is the promotion of the welfare of our domestic Christian education. Here also he called for action. He life. A,fter all, but little can be expected fr.om the efforts followed up his statement of principle with an urgent ap­ of even the most zealous and efficient organizations unless peal to parents for active interest in the cause of parent there is to begin with ' a sound family basis to work on. education in order that they might the more effectively fill There are not a few scholarly leaders in this country who their high: positions as educators within their own domes­ are fighting a valiant battle in behalf of Christian marriage tic realms. He called for preparation for the tasks of and the family. But how much more effective and far parenthood in this encyclical as he called for preparation reaching their efforts would be if they would band them­ for family life generally in the one on marriage. selves together into a conference for mutual counsel, for united effort, for inspiration and concerted action! In the entire field of the Christian family, therefore-in upholding its fundamentals, in combating the evils that HE formation of such a conference of specialists or assail it, in preparing for a useful and successful married students of the family, however, represents but one life and for the specific duties of parenthood-Pius has T avenue of approach to this important subject, but one step shown the way and issued his call for action. His unex­ towards the promotion of the. welfare of our family life. eelled authority and exalted position and the gravity of There are many others that should lead to most beneficial the subject in question join in demanding our most respect­ and far-reaching results. For example, there is our school ful attention and our unhesitating compliance with his system. Particularly does it offer an inviting opportunity wishes. for the preparation' for marriage and parenthood that is so fundamental and that Pius XI recommends so urgently. COMPLETE program of action in behalf of the fam­ Much could be done'in this regard in both the lower and A ily would embrace almost an infinite variety of possible the higher reaches of our educational system. The child in .activities. There is much that the serious student of the the grades is capable of grasping the correct principles of family can do. There are a multiplicity of tasks for the marriage and the family if properly presented to him. He masses to accomplish. There are opportunities almost could develop the deepest respect for wholesome and happy without number for individual and for organized efforts in home life under intelligent and constructive guidance. behalf of the home. At best, however, only a broad, sketchy Even in the grade school, therefore, should it be considered program can be outlined here. the privilege, if not the duty, of every teacher to empha­ Perhaps one of the most promising first steps towards size the importance of the family as the richest field ever the promotion of sound family life would be the formation gi yen for the development of human life and to stress, in 20 CATHOLIC . ACTION J'nly, 1932 season and out OI season, the fundamentals and the genu­ pose, might fittingly encourage among their members the ine values of marriage and the home. In its higher reaches study of the fundamentals of Christian marriage, the prin­ the school should be able to prepare the individual not only ciples of successful parenthood, and the elements of a sat­ for success in his own marriage career, but also for leader­ isfying and happy home life. The N. C. W. C. Family Life ship in activities that aim at the promotion of a sound and Sectio~ and Study Club Committee and the National Coun­ satisfying family life generally. cil of Catholic Women are making special effort to arouse interest in this particular work on the part of various or­ s A matter of fact, not a little is being done along ganizations, and not without appreciable results. A these lines. Indeed, one of the most pronllsing devel­ There is, however, still much room for further devel­ opments in the entire field of endeavor in behalf of the opment. Ours is the day of adult education. In vari­ family is the present rapid growth in Catholic colleges, ous ways is our unprecedented amount of leisure time being both for men and women, of special courses on marriage used for self-improvement through study. Catholics in and the family and on parent education. The intense in­ ever-increasing numbers are falling in line with this praise­ terest universally elicited by these courses is indicative of worthy movement. It is to be hoped that much of their their practical value and of their promise for much further time will be centered in the study of the family and kindred growth. Typical of many commendatory remarks of stu­ Subjects. dents who have had -the advantage of such study is the following: "I consider the course on 'The Family' one UDY alone, however, is insufficient. The knowledge of the most valuable I have taken in school. It has given S acquired must be carried over into action. It must me a higher appreciation of the married state than I had make its influence actively felt within the individual home before. It has led me to a greater realization of the social circle. Ultimately, effective Catholic action in behalf of importance of marriage and of the opportunities it affords Christian marriage and the family must come from the for useful and happy -living. Strange as it may seem, the masses of individuals within their own domestic worlds. thought of marriage as a career had never occurred to me Some of the ways and means of promoting such action before attending this class." A teacher in one of the within the home were point.ed out in an earlier issue of large~t -Catholic colleges in the country, who but recently this publication (January, 1932), but there is one specific completed a course on "The Family" with a class of over suggestion that may very fittingly be added here, one that a hundred students, makes the following remark: "I have deals directly with the religious life of the family. It never been more gratified with the results of any class that would undoubtedly prove of the highest benefit to the fam­ I have taught." Catholic students who have been shown ily life of our day if Catholic families generally would en­ the genuine social, as well as the religious values of Chris­ roll themselves again in the Association of the H o.ly Family tian marriage will give -little heed to doctrines subversive and faithfully fulfill the simple conditions that membership of the family or to the lurid filth' so commonly emblazoned therein implies. 'rhis association, launched by Leo XIII on our printed page today. And after all, the vast major­ some time after he gave to the world his Encyclical on ity of students marry. It should be but the logical" and ex­ "Christian Marriage," still enjoys the selfsame privileges pected thing, therefore, that the schools help to give them that were attached to it when he first called it into being. due preparation for this career of careers. These very privileges, not to mention the many indulgences attached to membership in the association, should serve as COpy of a school pUblication that recently came to a powerful inducement to make it flburish again today. A the writer's attention suggests one very promising pos­ Pastors, for example, in whose parishes the association is sibility for the development of leadership among students organized enjoy the benefits of a privileged altar on any in this inviting field of Catholic action. The particular three days of the week they choose, provided they have not issue in question contained two forceful articles by stu­ the benefits of a privileged altar for some other reason. dents on the marriage encyclical of Pius XI. The articles Then, too, the Mass for a deceased member at any altar were written after a thorough study of the encyclical in whatever has all the benefits of a privileged one. conjunction with a course on the family and compared very favorably with many on the subject that have appeared NOTHER consideration that gives this association par­ in the better Catholic pUblications. The staffs of other col­ A ticular appeal is its extreme simplicity. It can hardly lege publications might well emulate this example and de­ be called an "organization," the only indispensable con­ vote a generous amount of attention and space to such ditions to membership being the following: (1) the head worthy projects. of the family must be enrolled in the association by the

'l'here are also a I great number of Catholic organizations pastor; (2) a picture of the I-Ioly Family must find a place that might well show a definite interest in this subject of in the home; (3) a prayer must daily be recited before the the family. Sodality groups, local units of larger organi­ picture. zations, even special circles or clubs organized for the pur- (Continued on page 31) July, 1932 C A~·T H 0 LIe ACT ION 21

N.C.C.W. COMMITTEE on · FAMILY andPARENT EDUCATION By Mary G. Hawks Acting Chairman, N.C.C.W. National Committee on Family and Parent Education

ATURE and grace accord to the family a place of emerges in academic consciousness as a po-f:ential sphere of paramount importance. Destined by God, in the respectable professional endeavor." N. order of nature, to perpetuate the race, the family This back to the family movement, with its implication of was endowed by Christ with special grace to mirror the life necessary training was no new thought in Catholic con­ and the love of God Himself. Such has been the unchang­ sciousness. The' 'half century of ignoring the home" had, ing ideal of the Church through the ages, an ideal she has however, through contact with Protestant culture, had its. fortified by her sacraments and fostered by her education. effect upon Catholic living, as is evidenced by the stress Inevitably, therefore, from its very creation, the National laid by our Holy Father, Pius XI, in his Encyclical on Council of Catholic Women has had, as a central theme and , 'Christian Education," on the parent as educator. Evi­ a major preoccupation, the protection and the preservation dent, therefore, was the obligation for organized Catholic ()f the Christian family. womanhood to assume its. share of the labor of building One of the earliest study outlines of the National Catho­ and rebuilding the Catholic ideal of family life from the lic Welfare Conference, circulated by the national council, child up and of providing to this end the best materIal was on "The Christian Family." By pamphlet and ad­ available in economics, hygiene, psychology, that was in dress it has constantly given information and inspiration . harmony with Catholic doctrine and Catholic moral teach­ to :rp.others. And its member groups have consistently ing. offered a s.olid phalanx of opposition to any and all at­ tempts to break down those safeguards of the family ideal HAT the National Council of Catholic Women might provided by state and federal laws. While believing that T meet this obligation, a vast field of endeavor was opposition to such destructive forces as divorce and artifi­ visioned by its Committee on Family and Parent Educa­ .cial birth control must be continued as an essential ex­ tion. Its program includes: pression of Catholic Action, it was the mind of the conven­ 1. Outlines for study clubs of varied elements and organ- tion of 1929 that" the National Council of Catholic Women ization; . 2. Assembling simple and suggestive material for re­ should appoint a committee to study the situation and for­ ligious and character training in the home; mulate a more positive program to offset this insidious 3. Aids to mothers in selecting literature for children; propaganda. " This was the first step taken towards the 4. Aids for mothers of handicapped children, developed formation of a definite Committee on Family and Parent by specialists in the care of such children; 5. Analysis of expert works with view to popUlarizing Education, although the committee did not emerge under their content for the average busy parent; this title until the convention of 1931. 6. Making available what is being done in the field of education for the instruction of adolescents in the duties of parenthood; HE committee appointed to study the situation re­ 7. Introduction in Catholic P. T. A. of study of family T ported to this convention of 1931 some very definite and parent education; . recommendations based on the resolutions of the FOurth 8. Compilation of supplem.entary literature for Catholic International Congress on Home Education, held at Liege P. T. A.; 9. Preparation by older mothers of heart to heart talks in 1930, and on certain obvious trends. Notable among with younger and less experienced mothers; these latter was a sharp swing of the pendulum from re­ 10. Planning with Americanization experts as to ways and . me~ns of extending to foreign-born mothers help in garding the woman in the home as "a woman without a famIly hfe and child care and training. career" to granting her professional status with a recog­ nized need for training in this, her most important pro­ AS the first ~equisite for the. ac~ievement of its program, fession-parenthood and homemaking. .As a recent writer the commIttee set out to InVIte and mobilize the serv­ expressed it in the N. Y. Times Magazine of May 1 : ices of as many women competent in the fields of economics, "After a half century of ignoring the home as beneath hygiene, psychology, pedagogy, etc., as possible, and es­ academic contempt in the days when it was woman's sole pecially those who had shown ability in their high profes­ sphere, the liberal arts college has begun its attempt to orient her in the modern world by helping her find her bear­ sion as Catholic mothers. To date the committee has secured ings within her own four walls .... The family, in short, (Continued on page 31) - 22 CATHOLIC ACTION July, 1932

HERE is a story of as praiseworthy a piece of Catholic Action as this maga~ine has thus far chronicled-of a rem~rkable settlement project conducted in what social workers ranked as one of NEAR-MIRACLE America's most disorganized districts. Responsible for the experiment, the successful results of which are here set forth, are two zealous and in­ genious Chicago priests, ably aided and abetted by seminarians from St. Mary of the Lake and stu­ of SOCIAL SERVICE dents from St. Viator and Rosary Colleges. By Louise McGllire, I nstructor in Social Economics, National Catholic School of Social Service

LITTLE TO THE north of the internationally means by which the situation could be met at least in part. known stock yards of Chicago lies All Saints Guild Funds were scarce; there was no equipment and no A Hall. 'l'he area is one of the most congested of the train 1 personnel. But there was an old discarded paro­ city. As many people liv'e in this section, which is little chial school ·building-and there was the beautiful new more than a square mile, as reside in the state's Capital parochial school, the latter filled to overflowing during the City of Springfield. school yt!ar but empty during the vacation period. There Numbers are not the only phenomenon. Here many of was also a vacant lot a block away. How Father Desmond the newer immigrants settle, at least for a time, and many with an infinitesimal amount of money and a superabund­ older ones continue to remain. Twenty-one nationality ance of ingenuity constructed a settlement out of the old groups, with their attendant problems such as language school building; how he inaugurated a bona fide wrestling difficulty, lack of knowledge of American standards of liv­ and boxing ring wherein neighborhood rivalries and feuds ing and customs, nationality rivalries, factions, isolations, lost the l' gang" aspect and assumed the healthy atmosphere etc., are found in this same small territory. of friendly sport and how, through the force and charm There are 10,000 children of school age and other thou­ of his own personality, permeated as it is with high spirit­ sands just over or just under compUlsory education limits. ual zeal, he developed settlement clubs out of gangs and The district has been ranked by sociologists and social changed gang leaders into his trusted lieutenants-all de­ workers as one of the most disorganized in the city. Studies serve special chapters in a book. . of juvenile delinquency made from time to time in the past reveal that this section contributed more than its share to LMOST more remarkable than the settlement, which is the number of youngsters coming before the ju-venile court A a year-round activity, is the religious vacation school. and the boys court. Play· facilities and supervised recre­ Last year the attendance totaled 16,200 children-about ational opportunities are woefUlly inadequate. The' area equally divided as to boys and girls. The youngsters re­ boasts only one small park, one' city playground, two school ceive instruction in sewing, handicrafts, hygiene and health, yards for organized play and very few vacant lots. Most religion, singing, games and sports, and various project of the men and women are unskilled or semi-skilled work. They are profitably and happily occupied every day laborers-thus the economic standards of the families are for six weeks and all under the eye and guidance of Mother low. For the past three years here, as elsewhere, many Church. Twice a day Father Desmond gathers the children have been unemployed. into the church for prayer and for short instructions which he himself conducts. This is in addition to the regular URING the past two years there has been an astonish­ classes in religion. The results are immediate and edify­ D ing change in the tone of the neighborhood. The ing-every child at Mass every Sunday, the crowds of boys juvenile delinquency rate has markedly decreased. Why and girls going to confession on Saturdays, with Father this change 1 The answer is found in the work of All Desmond, a glorified pied piper, leading the children with Saints Guild Hall, or, perhaps, to be more exact, in the him to the Tabernacle. leadership qualities of two zealous priests-Rev. John J. The closing day of the vacation school is an unfadeable Doody, pastor of All Saints Church and president of All memory. Its solemn Mass with all the dignity of 2,000 Saints Guild Hall, and his young assistant, Rev. William years of liturgy, with its Missa de Angelis sung by 300 C. Desmond, who is executive director of Guild Hall. Cog­ public school girls, with its childish scramble to the altar nizant of the problems of the district, the lack of healthy rail, with its splendid sermon by the pastor, caused one to social and. recreational facilities, and the realization that meditate on the true values of life. many persons of Catholic faith were drifting toward spirit­ These astonishingly successful results were made possible ual bankruptcy, these two priests cast about for tangible through the very efficient and successful corps of volunteer July, 1932 CATHOLIC ACTION 23 workers that Father Desmond has recruited. Through the fronts every high school and college today, namely: How cooperation of St, :Mary of the Lake Seminary and the Col­ translate vital, dynamic Catholic living into school curric­ lege of St. Viator, fourteen young seminarians volunteered ula; how coordinate classroom teaching with every day their ser~ces during this six weeks' period. These young existence so that significance of every day problems becomes seminarians supervised and taught the boys. These young clear in the mind of the pupil and of the student 1 Today men with God's grace and assistance will be ordained much ,factual information is taught in both high school and priests within five years. They have tasted the work; they college but small attention is paid to fundamental inter­ are interested because they have sensed the need. It is not pretation of facts, which alone enables the student to arrive just an isolated piece of work for them. They are relating at a philosophy of life. Through its contact with All Saints it to their tourses in the seminary. Seven have selected Guild Hall, Rosary College has gone a long way on the right subjects for their A.M. degree theses out of their experi­ road. The experiences of the students have crystallized ences of ,the summer. Organized social work in the mine their attitudes. They are developing richer, fuller lives run of parishes will occur only when priests are convinced through service. They are thus better s~rviDg themselves of its worth. These fourteen have had first hand experience and God. The work has passed the experimental stage. It and first ,hand opportunity to weigh the results. has now become a tradition at Rosary and the students accept the responsibility. These students are our future HE girls were under the direction and instruction of citizens. They should be our leaders. The realization that Rosary College Junior League. These Rosary College T they can help concretely and definitely should mean a great students relinquished six weeks of their vacation to give enthusiastic, steady, intelligent service to these under­ deal to the Church. All Saints Guild Vacation School is privileged children. As in the case of the young semi­ one of the finest pieces of charity of our day. Almost every narians they are relating their experience to their college city offers the same opportunity. How many Catholic col­ courses. They are helping to solve the problem that con- leges will adopt the plan ~ ------+------DRAMATIZING CATHOLIC ACTION STUDIES By HE students of Nazareth College, of their free time to making regular visits Michigan, ent-ered wholeheartedly into Eva J. Ross to the local hospital and to teaching the T the prcgram of Catholic Action pr,o­ foundlings there. They have set up an at­ posed last fall by the National Catholic Nazareth College, tractive classroom and their interest has Welfare Conference. never flagged, as is so often the case with A part of the program was especially Nazareth, Michigan ventures of this nature. stTessed in the economics and sociology Then there were the monthly Catholic classes. The Sodality of Our Lady sponsored the rest of the Action programs. Catholic Education week in November was activities under the leadership of their president, Miss Eliza­ characterized by lectures each evening of the week by prominent beth Wagner, '32. local priests and Catholic laymen. For the remaining programs, Some few years ago the College "adopted" the Bengal Mission each month a sodalist was asked to prepare a paper on the of the Holy Cross Fathers; this year they "adopted" a second previously selected topic and to be ready to answer questions put mission, that of the Jesuits of Patna. On one Thursday in each by students at the meeting. Interest in these student addresses month, every member of the Sodality goes to Mass and Holy did not at first seem keen enough to make them of real practical Communion for the intentions of the Bengal mission; on another value and the sodality president suggested that the February Thursday of each month Mass and Holy Communion are again theme (the Catholic Press) be dramatiied. For this purpose, offered up for the Patna mission. And as the retreat father the front portion of the assembly was set up as a Gatholic press this year was a Jesuit about to found a new mission at Baghdad, office. There was an editor and his staff, an official guide, and students do not forget this mission either, and take turns in two lady visitors who came to the office for information as 00 the writing to the father to keep him in touch with news from home. actual work accomplished by the Catholic Press. The guide took these enquirers around the office to explain procedure; the editor was then introduced to them, and she read them an article just HE spiritual bulletin board was enlarged and made more prepared for publication, which gave further information. The T attractive: pictures and suitable prayers and newspaper result of the meeting was a decision that all future Catholic clippings were changed daily. The Sodality made special efforts Action meetings should be dramatized. to acquaint its members with the best in Catholic literature In March the setting was the home of a student who had just and in the Catholic press: a subscription was made to the decided to take up social work as a career. A friend arrived, Catholic Book of the Month Club, and to various magazines and and the book on social conditions which the would-be social periodicals not. hitherto subscribed for. Among other activities worker had been reading provided the subject of conversation. new this year must be mentioned also the Sodality paper in­ augurated to stress the practicalities of spiritual life, and the May devotions at the Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes on the I N April, the topic of mission work was developed in the liv­ campus, with a procession in our Blessed Mother's honor on ing room of a girl's home. A friend happened along and the Mary's Day, and special tableaux to represent several of her girl related that she had just been asked by the parish priest to apparitions. Three students have also devoted a large amount (Continued on page 30) 24 CATHOLIC ACTION July, 1932

SOCIAL SERVICE- By Rev. Francis J. Haas, Ph.D. aFIELD of CATHOLIC ACTION

ERTINENT to the brief account of the 1932 commencement exercises of the National Catholic School of Social PService, printed on the opposite page, is the following article in which Dr. Haas, director of the school, gives a suc­ cinct slatement of the Catholic philosophy underlying the training of Catholic social workers, the various types of social work and the basic principles governing the activities in which Catholic social workers engage. -

VISITOR ATTENDING the 1932 commencement ing and sympathy. It offers a two-year course of study exercises of the National Catholic School of Social and direction, emphasizing throughout the all-important A Service on June 14 would doubtless find himself fact that every person to be assisted possesses an imperish­ .asking: What are these graduates equipped to do ~ What ah1e soul purchased with the Blood of Jesus Christ . is the need of CatholiQ training for social work ~ In the 'rhe basic reason for maintaining the National Catholic -course of the program, he would gather some more or less School of ' Social Service and other Catholic social service interesting facts: that the total enrollment of the school schoc,ls-Fordham in New York City, Loyola in Chicago, for 1931-1932 was 65; that 11 students completed a two­ and St. Louis in St. Louis-is that in essential respects year course of graduate training; that 8 received the M. A. Catholic philosophy differs from that underlying either degree; and that 21 after one year of study expect to enter sectarian or public social-service training. True, on one some social agency. But the questions would still be run­ important objective Catholic and non-Catholic philosophies ning through his mind: Precisely what kind of work have make common cause: the needy and the handicapped are these graduates been trained for? What is there distinc­ to be aided and everything is to be done to enable them to tively Catholic about the activities they plan to engage in 1 live normal human lives. But at several points the philoso­ The present brief statement will undertake to answer phies clash; and Catholics hold the disputed values so these questions. dearly that they are willing, even at great expense, to Even in normal times our industrial system throws off maintain their own training centers. ruthlessly a piteous mass of human wreckage. From farm What are th{;se values ~ They stand forth in clear light and city it picks out the strongest and best suited for its when one reviews the social needs enumerated above. purposes; uses them as and when it needs them; and in return provides them with varying degrees of livelihood ORK among under-privileged children includes vo­ ranging from luxury down to modest competence. But it W cational guidance, recreation, correction, and health; rejects as unfit, temporarily or permanently, a vast army but space permits reference only to dependents. Should of men, women, and children whom it has called into serv­ the neglected child be cared for in an institution or in a ice: victims of seasonal and technological unemployment; foster-home 1 The welfare of the child dictates the an­ of accidents; of old age at 40; and of occupational disease. swer. When the orphanage safeguards the child's inter­ They constitute the human scrap heap of industry. ests better than does the foster-home, the orphanage should This shocking fact is a prime concern of social workers. be entrusted with the care of the child. When, however, '.Accordingly they must be trained to envisage society as a the orphanage does not give the child the opportunities whole; understand that low wages, unemployment, and that it would receive in a foster-home, the foster-home is accidents cause the far greater part of poverty; and bear to be preferred. witness to the prior necessity of social justice through or­ The care of dependent children raises an important ques­ ganization and legislation. Their immediate task of course tion of social policy. Not infrequently the existence of an is to relieve those in want. orphanage in a community is an inducement to parents to separate and to place their offspring in an institution. To o THE entire body of needy and destitute-whether the extent that this tendency operates-and many orphan­ Tin individual cases the cause be injustice, heredity, ages now show an incredibly high percentage of children wrongdoing, or ignorance-social service offers its minis­ whose father and mother are living-the foster-home sys­ trations. Like a relief unit in a flood area, it begins by tem requiring fixed payments from parents should be ex­ laying out the work before it. It divides the field into tended. Parents would thereby be prevented from shifting care of: (a) children j (b) families; (c) the sick; (d) the their responsibilities, to the benefit both of their children mentally alienated. . and of needy and deserving orphans. But the foster-home For each of these branches the National Catholic School plan requires selection, supervision, and guarantees for the of Social Service trains students to work with understand- religious upbringing of the Catholic child. Manifestly, July, 1932 CATHOLIC ACTION 25

Eleven Receive N. C. S. S. S. Diplomas at 1932 Commencement HE list of alumnae of the National Catholic School director of the school; and Miss Mary G. Hawks, presi­ of Social Service was increased by 11 as the result of dent of the National Council of Catholic Women, which T the graduating exercises held at the school in Wash­ has· had as its principal responsibility the organization and ington, D. C., on June 14. It was the eleventh annual com­ support of the schooL mencement of the institution. On the day following, 8 of the 11 graduates received the Master of Arts degree ATHER BURKE, speaking for the trustees of the at the Catholic University of America. The 1931-32 en­ F Service School, expressed their thanks to Dr. Haas rollment of the Service School was 65, the largest in the "who came on very short notice and took charge of the school's history. school at its most critical period, and perhaps its most fruitful years, and to whom the school was entrusted by HOSE who completed the two-year course and who . the board of trustees with the fullest confidence"; to the T rec~ived diplomas are: Rev. Dr. William J. Kerby, of the Catholic University, Maud T. Bailey, of Thomaston, Conn.; Gertrude Chen, whom he called the "Father of the Service'School"; to the of Tsingtao, China; Aileen Crowley, of San Fr:ancisco; National Council of Catholic Women, "without whom the Frances Flannigan, of Toledo; Rosa Galvez, of Retalhuleu, school would never have been possible"; to the Most Rev. Guatemala; Mary Estelle Haven, of Glendale, Calif.; Karl J. Alter, Bishop of Toledo and former director of Marion Hayes, of Pawling, N. Y.; Dalila Leon, of Jayuya, the school~ who served the institution with zeal, ability and Porto Rico; Bernidet Millerick, of San Francisco; Mary interest; and to the Rev. Michael J. Ready, assistant gen­ Rita Doyle Shea, of Cleveland; and Lillian Wynkoop, of eral secretary of the National Catholic Welfare Confer­ San Francisco. ence, who served as spiritual director of the school during· Misses Bailey, Chen, Flannigan, Haven, Hayes, Mille­ the last year. Father Burke also expressed the thanks of rick, Shea and Wynkoop received the degree of Master of the trustees to Monsignor Ryan for the help he has given Arts from the Catholic University. the school, both personally and as rector of the Catholic University. IS EXCELLENCY, the Most Rev. Pietro Fumasoni­ H Biondi, Apostolic Delegate to the United States, was DR. HAAS took occasion to express appreciation of the the celebrant of the commencement day Mass. The Rt. assistance given by Father Burke, Dr. Kp.rby, Father Rev. James H. Ryan, rector of the CatJholic University of Ready, the faculty of the school, the National Council of America, delivered the address to the graduates. Other Catholic Women, and the social agencies in Washington speakers were Rev. Dr. John J. Burke, C.S.P., general Baltimore and Montgomery County, Md., that cooperated secretary of the N. C. W. C., and president of the Board in giving practical experience to the students of the of Trustees of the Service School; Rev. Francis J. Haas, school.

only trained Catholic social workers are equal to these mony to the sacrifices of the sisterhoods. Nevertheless, an important duties. extremely important part of the healt.Q. field remains un­ tilled-that of out-patient treatment of the destitute T IS notorious that Catholic and non-Catholic philoso­ through medical social service. Less than 3 per cent of I phies differ fundamentally regarding family life. Catho­ the 641 Catholic hospitals in the United States operate lic moral teaching condemns divorce and remarriage as adul­ social service departments for treatment of the sick poor in tery, birth prevention as grave sin, and abortion as murder. their homes. Post-hospital care today practically stops at The average non-Catholic social worker going into a Catho­ the hospital door; but sickness and a multitude of social lic home does not accept the Church's teaching on mar­ problems do not stop there. There is pressing need of aid­ riage and not infrequently does not hesitate to counsel di­ ing the sick of hu.mble circumstances now unable to secure vorce, contraception, and sterilization. The need of Catho­ medical service. To meet this need the number of trained lic social workers is apparent; especially when one recalls medical social workers should be multiplied many times that in all large cities in the United States, mainly because over. As in the field of family visitation, only Catholic of the heavy population of foreign-born Catholics, the per­ medical social workers can. assist Catholics in their homes. centage of Catholic dependents in social agencies is much higher than the percentage of Catholics in the total popu­ .T HE rapid increase of psychiatric clinics raises seve.ra! lation. Again and again it is found that 75 per cent of issues about which Catholics<}an not be indifferent. all persons aided by public and quasi-public social agencies Suppose it is the policy of a clinic to prescribe sexual pro­ are Catholics, whereas the percentage of Catholics in the miscuity as a means of "getting rid, of a complex." To an entire city is only half that figure. influential school of psychiatry this is accepted practice. From the beginning the Church has regarded care of the To Catholics it is grave sin. Quite clearly parents, priests, sick as a corporal work of mercy. In Rome, in the third and sisters can not deliver nervous and subnormal chil­ centur'y, even during the bitter persecution of Decius, not dren over to such practitioners. The only adequate solu­ less than 1,500 needy persons, including widows, orphans, tion is to train psychiatrists and phychiatric social work­ and the infirm were cared for mainly by deacons and dea­ ers in Catholic schools. conesses. The Catholic hospital today is conceived in the Requirements for service in all the foregoing fields show same charity of Christ. Its remarkable progress is a testi- the necessity of Catholic schools of social service. II 26 CATHOLIC ACTION July, 1932

MANY GROUPS CALL on N. C. C. W. jorSPEAKERS on WORK oj COUNCIL

N EVIDENCE of the growing influence and importance Catholic Girl in the Modern World." The program was broad­ of the National Council of Catholic Women is indicated cast from the Newark station. A by the large number of requests which come to its officers, Early in June, on her way to attend the annual national con­ directors and members of headquarters staff for addresses at vention of the Catholic Women's League of Canada, Miss Hawks both Catholic and non-sectarian meetings, large and small, addressed the Catholic Women's Service League of Troy, N. Y., throughout the country. in its annual meeting. "Leagues in an International Program," During May and June, Miss Hawks, in addition to attendance was the subject of her address at the Canadian meeting held at at diocesan meetings in the Dioceses of Providence, Harrisburg, Toronto. and St . . Augustine, was a guest and speaker ' at the annual On June 9 the national president attended the annual com­ Communion breakfast of the Catholic Woman's Club of New mencement exercises at St. Elizabeth's College, Convent Station, Bedford, Mass., and the annual meeting of the National Christ N. J., where the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws was con­ Child Society in Washington, D. C. At the invitation of the ferred upon her. Connecticut Council of Catholic Women she impersonated The l: ecutive secretary, Miss Agnes G. Regan, who attended Madame Steenberghe-Engeringh, president of the International the diocesan cOIlventions in Mobile and St. Augustine, was also Union of Catholic Women's Leagues, at the presentation of the a speaker at the annual breakfast of the D. of C. Chapter of World D:'sarmament Conference held at New Haven, Conn., the International Federation of Catholic Alumnae and a regional under the auspices of the Connecticut Council on International meeting of the Federation of Women's Clubs of Prince George's Relations. While in Connecticut Miss Hawks was the guest of County, Maryland, where she spoke on "The Use of Leisure Mrs. Thomas J. Horrigan, of Meriden, member of the Board of time in the Home." Miss Regan, who is a member of the Board Directors of the National Council of Catholic Women, and ad­ of Directors of the Cardinal Gibbons' Institute, attended the dressed the Meriden Council of Catholic Women on "Why a annual directors meeting at the Archbishop'S House in Baltimore National Co'uncil of Catholic Women." She spoke informally at on June 4, and has represented the council at a number of con­ a reception in her honor given by the New Haven Council of ferences in the vicinity of Washington. Catholic Women. Enroute to Washington she stopped at Pater­ Both Miss Hawks and Miss Regan were guests and speakers son, N. J., to attend the annual Communion breakfast of the at the annual alumnae dinner of the National Catholic School Catholic Girls' Club of St. Anthony's Guild and spoke on "The of Social Service on June 13.

REPORTS of N. C. C. w. ACTIVITIES zn VARIOUS DIOCESES

Reno Diocesan Council women in the diocese and recommended the formation of study clubs, suggesting the "Christian Family" as a fitting subject. EMINDING the women assembled that it was their organ­ Dr. Anne M. Nicho~son, field representat-ive of the National ization and their responsibility, placed upon them by the Council of Catholic Women, who has spent some time within R authority of our Holy Father, and by him their bishop; the Reno Diocese assisting in the work of organization, spoke that it was for them to carry out the service to which they of her pleasure at the splendid showing made by the Catholic were pledged, with the assistance and guidance of their bishop women of Nevada and expressed the belief that within record and that of the National Council of Catholic Women, the Most time the diocese would have an outstanding example of united Reverend Thomas K. Gorman, Bishop of Reno, addressed the Catholic womanhood. organization meeting of the Reno Diocesan Council of Catholic The officers appointed by the bishop are as follows: Mrs. D. Women on May 20. W. Melarkey, president; Miss Frances Clare Phillips, secretary; Following the Mass, at which Bishop Gorman pontificated, Mrs. Leo McNamee, treasurer; Mrs. Ed Carville, auditor. Dis­ assisted by Rev. William Devlin and Rev. John M. Groves, the trict presidents include: Mrs. H. R. Cooke, Mrs. Susan Leach, delegates assembled in the cathedral social hall. More than 150 Mrs. W. E. McMurtrie, Mrs. J. F. Myles, Mrs. Thomas Griffin, were present from the cities of Tonopah, Las Vegas, Fallon, and Mrs. Harley Harmon. Chairmen of special committees Elko, Carson, Virginia City, Sparks, Yerington, Gardnerville, were also announced: Mrs. E. M. Bosch, organization; Mrs. Winnemucca, Ely, Lovelock, and Reno. C. D. Melarkey, publicity; Mrs. T. W. Martinez, activities, and Mrs. D. W. Melarkey, of Reno, presided at the business ses­ Mrs. J. E. Horgan, hospitality. sion and at the luncheon which followed. The speakers at the The first annual convention will be held on September 28. luncheon were: Rev. John Lamb, who responded to Mrs. Melar­ key's welcome to the delegates; Mrs. John E. McNamara, who Wisconsin State Council emphasized the value of Catholic women uniting to combat the More than 200 delegates and visitors attended the seven­ influences detrimental to family life; Miss Minnie Flanagan, teenth annual convention of the Wisconsin State Coun­ who spoke of the need for organization among the women of cil of Catholic Women held in Green Bay on May 11 and Nevada; and Mrs. T. "\V. Martinez, who depicted the sturdy char­ 12. The Most Reverend Paul P. Rhode, Bishop of Green Bay, acter of the early Catholic pioneer, priest and layman. officiated and Rev. Anselm M. Keefe, O. Praem., delivered the Bishop Gorman spoke of the problems of the Diocese and of sermon at the Mass with which the convention opened. Bishop the 'parish, and asked the women for their cooperation in solv­ Rhode also welcomed the women at the opening business session ing them. He stressed the value of vacation schools and urged in the Allouez Community House, at which Mrs. John P. Con­ those who had the time to prepare themselves for this work nell, president, presided. Mrs. Henry J. Keyser, first vice-presi­ through the training offered by the Confraternity of Christian dent of the National Council of Catholic Women, extended greet­ Doctrine. He spoke of instituting the retreat movement for ings from the national organization. July, 1932 CATHOLIC ACTION 27

"Traditional Education" was the tendent of public instruction; "The subject of an interesting talk by Rev. Home," by William J. Quinn, chief E. J. Westenberger, Ph.D., diocesan N. C. C. W. COMMITTEE PLANS CHARLESTON of police; "Catholics and the Bicen­ superintendent of schools, at the CONVENTION PROGRAM tennial," by Rev. Peter J. Bergin, luncheon. The president's address by C.S.P.; "United Catholic Action," by Mrs. Connell, an outline of the pro­ THE N. C. C. W. Convention Program ComDlittee, Rt. Rev. John W. Sullivan, S.T.L.; gram by Mrs. John J. Arvey, reports under the chairmanship of Miss Mary Slattery, of and "Catholic Women in Patriotic of officers and district chairmen fol­ Greenville, S. C., met at headquarters on June II and Action," by Mrs. Frank M. Silva, lowed. The resolutions were pre­ made plans for the twelfth annual convention of the chairman of membership. Mrs. sented by Miss Katherine R. Will­ council to be held in Charleston October 9 to 12, John J. O'Toole, second vice-presi­ iams, president of the Milwaukee inclusive. The meeting will be the first one of the dent, who gave the address of wel­ Archdiocesan Council of Catholic national council to be held in the Southland. come at the luncheon which followed Women. Those who attended the meeting in addition to the Saturday business session, An address on "Historic Green Miss Slattery were: Mrs. Mary Murray McArdle, of pointed out the value of cooperation Bay," by Theodore Brown, superin­ Troy, N. Y.; Miss Anna Dill Gamble, of York, Pa.; ""ith the work of the national coun­ tendent of the Neville Museum, and Mrs. Frank O'Hara, of Washington, D. C.; and Miss cil, emphasized united effort in all an art exhibit which included paint­ Nora Houston, of Richmond, Va. Mrs. T. J. Horri­ Catholic work and the need for ob­ ings of outstanding women artists of servance of the Church's teachings Wisconsin arranged by Ricklin Arts gan, of Meriden, Conn., and Miss Cecilia YaWDlan, in daily lives. CJass of the Catholic Women's Club also members of the committee, were uqable to at­ The following chairmen r"ported at Green Bay, preceded the tea and tend the meeting. the work of their respective commit­ reception tendered delegates and Most Rev. Emmet M. Walsh, Bishop of Charleston, tees: Miss Catherine Moriarty, so­ visitors by the Catholic Women's S. C., who happened to be in Washington at the time cial service; Mrs. Thomas Catton, Club, the Marquette Club and the of the meeting, also took part in the meeting. Anne Clarke Hanna Scholarship to members of the Board of the Green the National Catholic School of So- Bay Diocesan Council of Catholic cial Service; Miss Mary Duraind, Women acting as co-hostesses. religious education; Miss Eleanor Reports on legislation, by Mrs. A. M. Frish; recreation, by Tierney, immigration; Miss Mary Carmichael, subnormal child Mrs. F. J. Van Laanen; education, Mrs. P. J. McBride; student welfare; Miss Emma Kane, study clubs; Mrs. Eugene Prince, loan fund, Mrs. E. S. Schmidt; Indian Welfare Committee, Mrs. girls' welfare; Miss Margare'b McGuire, women in industry; Miss J. C. Wessels; and child welfare, Mrs. Ned Branch, were out­ Alma M. Meyers, legislation; Mrs. F. C. Mollett, hospitality; standing in their record of accomplishment. Mrs. Frederick Mrs. Walter Jones, junior council; Mrs. Silva, membership; Mrs. I'Anson, editor of the Wisconsin Catholic Club Woman, officialor­ Josephine Young Wilson, publicity. 'The executive secretary, gan of the state council, reported the progress of the publication. Miss Margaret B. Code, and the auditor, Miss Katharine Dono­ Rev. Henry C. Head, diocesan director of Catholic Charities hoe, also gave reports. and Miss Anna Dill Gamble, N. C. C. W. representative on the The wholehearted approval and appreciation of the work of National Catholic Welfare Conference's Joint Committee on the archdiocesan council which the Most Reverend John J. Peace, were the speakers a'b the luncheon on Thursday. Mitty, Co-adjuto~ of the Archdiocese of San Francisco, had Other speakers on Xhursday were Sister Cassiana Marie, art previously expressed on the occasion of the reception which the instructor at St. Joseph's Academy; Miss Regina Fiss, who out­ archdiocesan council held in his honor shortly after his appoint­ lined "The Girl Scout Movement"; Mrs. F. A. Schmidley and ment to San Francisco was reiterated. He declared the "aim Mrs. A. F. Rank, who led the discussion which followed; and and purpose of the organization to bring the ideals and prin­ Col. John J. Hannan, president of the Board. of Control at Madi­ ciples of Christ into every phase of human life, into our own son, who talked of state institubions. individual life, into family, social', economic, professional, polit­ The meeting closed with a banquet in the Columbus Com­ ical and national life. We are striving," he said, "to advance munity Club auditorium. In addition to the bishop, addresses the interests of Christ, to bring the spirit of Christ into our were given by John A. Lapp, LL.D., of Chicago, and Louis H. homes, our reception halls, our workshops, our offices, our legis­ Wetmore, Ph.D., of New York City. lative assemblies. We can not separate human activity into The newly elected officers include: Mrs. E. A. Conway, of compartments; we' can not accept the ideals of Christ in our Milwaukee, president; Mrs. John Brown, Racine, and Mrs. John personal private lives and ignore them in business, social and Phalen, Chippewa Falls, vice-presidents; Mrs. James McCarthy, political relations. We have a duty to make our contribution of Stevens Point, recording secretary; Mrs. J. E. Salick, Water­ Christian ideals and principles to the nation. We can not live town, treasurer; and Mrs. C. W. McCready, Green Bay, auditor. as if we were not part of the country. We are Americans with the obligation to serve the best interest of the nation. And we San Francisco Archdioc~san Counc'il do that best of all when the spirit of Christ animates and vivi­ fies all our activities and our relations and when we band our­ Commenting upon the splendid work accomplished by the selves together to bring the spirit of Christ into every phase San Francisco Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women as of human life and activity." recorded at its recen'b annual convention, The Monitor, of­ Mrs. Musante was unanimously re-elected president. ficial organ of the diocese, said: "The Catholic women seem to know how to get together and work in unity under the direc­ Belleville Diocesan Council tion of the hierarchy.. ' .. Through the last several years they Study clubs formed the theme of .the spring convention of have labored generously and constantly to unite all the women the Belleville Diocesan Council of Catholic Women, held re­ in the archdiocese." cently in East St. Louis. The attendance and enthusiasm mani­ Mrs. A. S. Musante, president of the council and member of fested indicated active interest on the' part of the members. the Board of Directors of the National Council, presided at the Monsignor Charles Gilmartin, of East St. Louis, spiritual sessions which were held at the Fairmont Hotel, May 20 and 21. advisor of the council, gave the opening prayer and the address The theme of the conference "Family Education and Patriot­ of welcome. Mrs. A. M. Mathis, Tamaroa, Ill., president of the ism," was developed through a number of interesting addresses council, responded to the greeting, and gave her annual report which included: "Effect of Economic Crisis Upon the Future which included an interesting account of her attendance at the Stability of the Family," by Rev. Patrick J. Moriarty, director annual convention of the National Council of Catholic Women of the Bureau of Catholic Charities; "The Child, a Potential in Washington, D. C. She declared that the meeting had been Citizen," by Mrs. Mary M. Fitzgerald, retired deputy superin- a great source of inspiration to her. 28 CATHOLIC ACTION July, 1932

Mrs. Anita M. Hennessy, secretary of the diocesan council, Officers elected for the coming two-year term are: Mrs."John made a report of activities. Mrs. D. J. Saunders outlined the T . Welsh, South Bend, president; Mesdames D. L. O'Donnell, plans for the summer round-up in which every parochial school Tacoma; Albert Barrett, Seattle; J. V. Padden, Bellingham; J. of the City. of East St. Louis will participate. Mrs. Saunders, Marshall Martin, Olympia; Clyde Suver, Ellensburg, deanery as chairman of the East St. Louis Catholic Health Bureau, be­ presidents; Mrs. John Maloney, Yakima, recording secretary; gan work of the same nature several years ago. Mrs. Robert Gebbie, s.eattle, executive secretary; Mrs. E. W. Mrs. Harry Weiser, regent, Althoff Circle, Daughters of Isa­ Doherty, Everett, treasurer; and Miss Saidie Foye, Tacoma, bella, spoke of religious vacation schools sponsored with marked auditor. success by her organization. Resolutions adopted urged prompt relief for unemployment Reports of affiliated societies gave one of the most helpful by federal, state and county appropriations to provide for pub­ hours of the program. There were exclamations of surprise lic works; endorsed old age pensions; endorsed the program of and admiration when a Belleville woman said her society cared the Social Action Department of the N. C. W. C. and recom­ for the surplices and cassocks of the altar boys, adding, "quite mended study of this program; voiced opposition to Com­ a task when there are 75 in the sanctuary at one time, as there munistic propaganda among the unemployed; declared opposi­ were last Sunday, and will be again next Sunday." The presi­ tion to the Hatfield Birth Control bill and similar legislation, dent interpolated: "How wonderful. In my little mission we also the Jones-Bankhead Maternity bill and the Equal Rights have one altar boy." amendment; urged support of Catholic schools and extensions Students from "St. Teresa's Academy, East St. Louis, gave a of Catholic P. T. A. work; recommended continued support of delightful program at the luncheon, which was served in the Newman clubs at state institutions of learning; pledged sup­ auditorium. Mrs. Edward Dollar was in charge of general port of diocesan and other Catholic press; reaffirmed opposition arrangements. to the federal de. utment of education and denounced religious Monsignor P. P. Crane, St. Louis; Mis. Edward Walsh, pres­ test being applied to candidates for public school positions. ident of the St. Louis Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women; In spite of serious illness, Most Reverend Edward J. O'Dea, Rev. Albert Zuroweste, Rev. John J. Fallon, Miss Mary Costello, Bishop of Seattle, in a letter directed to the clergy and laity Mrs. Catherine Voll, Miss Dorothy Willmann, executive secre­ just prior to the meeting, expressed his entire satisfaction in tary, women's parish sodalities, St. Louis, were the speakers the work and purposes of the organization. "It exists," the of the afternoon. letter stated, "for the purpose of moulding into one compact Mrs. Louis Boismenue, first president of the diocesan coun­ body every society, every associated group of Catholic women cil, presented the resolutions. in" the diocese." Rosary and benediction in the chapel of St. Mary's Hospital A resolution of devotion and sympathy for His Excellency brought the program to a close. Rev. John J. Fallon, superin­ was adopted at the close of the convention. tendent of the schools of the Belleville Diocese, g"ave the bene­ diction. Cleveland Diocesan Council As a result of the diocesan convention plans are being made Achievements of the six years of the Cleveland Diocesan for deanery meetings at which interest in study clubs will be Council of the N. C. C. W., were revealed in each of the reports aroused. given by the president, Mrs. John S. Gorman, members of her executive board and chairmen of the standing committees. At Seattle Diocesan Conference the sixth annual diocesan convention in Hotel Cleveland, May Catholic Action was the keynote of the eighth annual con­ 7, 600 women attended from all sections of the Cleveland Dio­ vention of the Seattle Diocesan Conference of Catholic Women, cese, representing six deaneries and fourteen counties. held in Yakima, May 9 and 10. The convention marked a dis­ The major projects of immigrant aid, study clubs, catechetical tinct advance in the program of the conference and showed a instructions and recreation, were supplemented by other special more keen grasp of problems and their solution on the part of activities carried on in the various deaneries. the women who attended. Ninety delegates, representing prac­ The success of the immigrant aid work was the object of tically every woman's organization in the Northwest and several special mention in a report read by the Most Rev. Joseph hundred visitors attended the sessions. Many of the clergy also Schrembs, Bishop of Cleveland. were present and participated in the program. One hundred and eighty affiliated groups were reported with The convention opened with pontifical high Mass, solemnized 51 study clubs in operation; 386 persons contacted with during by the Rt. Rev. D. A. Hanly, P.A., V.G., of Seattle. Rt. Rev. the past year in the immigrant aid work, making a total of Abbot Lambert, O.S.B., of St. Martin's abbey, was the speaker 1,934 persons and 1,240 families contacted during the three at the Mass. years of operation of this phase of diocesan work; religious Other noted speakers heard during the convention were Dr. instruction was given to Catholic children in six non-sectarian Norbert C. Hoff, president of Mt. St. Charles College, Helena, institutions in addition to numerous parishes where there are Mont., who spoke on "Resurgent Paganism," and who declared no parochial schools; three religious vacation schools are spon­ that the moral and industrial ills menacing civilization are the sored; supervised recreation includes 21 Girl Scout and one Boy product of an unashamed paganism that is spreading like a Scout troop under diocesan direction; clubs for older girls who plague over the world. are taught home duties; clubs for girls in institutions. Sister Miriam Theresa, Ph.D., S.H.N., of Marylhurst College, rrhp. world-wide economic situation brought added opportuni­ Oswego, Oreg., talked on "The Pope's Encyclical and Govern­ ties for service, and in this respect each deanery report showed ment Action," and called for a more comprehensive study by participation in various civic campaigns and relief activities. Catholic women of the encyclicals of Leo XIII and Pius XI on The convention opened with a Mass in St. John's Cathedral the condition of Labor and reconstruction of the social order. with Bishop Schrembs as celebrant. His Excellency took "Cath­ Other speakers were Rev. F. P. Leipzig, of Eugene, Oreg., olic Action" as the subject of his sermon. who made an appeal for Newman clubs and for work among The noon luncheon was addressed by Bishop Schrembs; Mayor Catholic students at state universities; Rev. Thomas Gabisch, Ray T. Miller, who gave the civic welcome to the delegates; the O.P., Seattle; Rev. Father McGoldrick, S.J., Seattle; Rev. James Most Rev. James A. McFadden, Auxiliary Bishop-elect of the Lanigan, moderator of the conference; Rev. Joseph Conway, Cleveland Diocese; and the Rt. Rev. Gilbert P. Jennings, dean Yakima; Rev. Joseph Luyten, Ellensburg; Mrs. John T. Welsh, of the Cleveland Deanery, who gave the principal address. South Bend, president of the diocesan conference; Mrs. Harry In the course of his address Monsignor Jennings paid tribute La Berge, Yakima, national director of the N. C. C. W.; Rev. to Bishop Schrembs for his extended and valuable services both Joseph Georgen, S.J., Spokane; Rev. John Mally, Toppenish; and nationally and locally. Mayor W. W. Stratton, Yakima. Several of the delegates and Mrs. Gorman, in her president's message, reviewed the work visitors were heard in a series of short talks. of the council since its beginning. Praise to all her associate July, 1932 CATHOLIC ACTION 29 officers, particularly to the first president, Mrs. Martin B. Daly; Cincinnati Archdiocesan Federation Mrs. Samuel J. McNally, her predecessor; and Mrs. Wallace C. The Springfield region was hostess to more than 700 mem­ Benham, styled by Mrs. Gorman as "the valiant woman," was bers of the Cincinnati Archdiocesan Federation on April 27 included in her message. Mrs. Benham, convalescing from a when the Most Rev. Joseph Albers, Archbishop of Cincinnati, recent serious accident, was unable to attend the convention. It congratulated the members on the progress made and expressed was the first time since the formation of the council that she his faith in their ability to carry to a successful completion has been absent from any diocesan affair of the N. C. C. W. any project which they might undertake. Mrs. William J. Bushea succeeds Mrs. Gorman as president. Other officers elected include: Mrs. William S. Houck, Mrs. C. The .power of organized womanhood, particularly organized M. Walsh, Miss Mary Hynes, Mrs. Kathryn Tamblyn, Miss Pearl CatholIc womanhood, was emphasized in an address on "Women Staudt, Miss Margaret Walsh, vice-presidents; Miss Catherine and Today," by· the Rev. Henry J. Grimmelsman, S.T.D., of V. Mylett, recording secretary; Mrs. James Beery treasurer; Mt. St. Mary of the West Seminary. He urged personal sancti­ and Miss Mae Delesky, auditor. ' fication, active interest in charitable, educational and cultural works and a watchfulness for those influences detrimental to the Los Angeles and San Diego Diocesan Council home and to society. Short talks were given by Rev. F. P. Kelly, of Springfield In addressing the more than 800 delegates to the annual con­ a~d Rev.. William C: Welsh, of Bell~fontaine. Dr. Nora Crotty: vention of the Los Angeles and San Diego Diocesan Council of VIce-presIdent, presIded at the busmess session and discussed Catholic Women, held in Los Angeles May 12 and 13, the Most many problems of local and national interest. Miss Mary C. Reverend John J. Cantwell, Bishop of Los Angeles and San Gore, president of the Springfield region, was in charge of the Diego, called attention to the fact that they represented 86 arrangements for the meeting which was voted a most success­ churches in the dioc~se with an average attendance of 2,000 daily at each. He urged the women to use their influence in fulone. bringing cultural advantages to all children of their faith and Omaha Diocesan Council to further exert themselves in the interest of the unemployed. The Most Reverend J. F. Rummel was guest of honor and He paid tribute to the work accomplished under the leadership principal speaker at the Omaha quarterly, held at Wayne, of Mrs. Rose Roy, retiring president, and said: "It is very Nebr., May 17. rare that a society gets a president who, in a short time, brings "An effective organization of affiliated groups, with units in together so many units, and who gives so unselfishly of her time each parish," he said, "would result in concerted action that and energy." could accomplish the needs of the hour in' a truly Christian Mrs. Florence H. Jacobs, newly appointed presililent, has way." He stated that the council was a tremendous power for been identified with Catholic activities for many years. In ac­ good and urged all to affiliate with the national council declar­ cepting the office she expressed the hope that the groups within ing that much good would result from closer cooperation and the diocese would be as loyal to her as they had been to her closer unity. predecessor. The president of the San Diego County Council, Mrs. John The special activities ' of the diocesan council were reported J. Shea, and the secretary, Mrs. Vivia O'Toole, made interest­ upon by Mrs. T. C. Duffy, Mrs. J. C. Tighe, Mrs. R. L. Hender­ ing contributions to the convention program. son, and Mrs. Cornelius McGreevy. Mrs. Arthur F. Mullen It is to be regretted that a full report of the meeting has not president of the diocesan council and former president of th~ reached headquarters as CATHOLIC ACTION goes to press. national council, and Mxs. W. J. Hotz, member of the Board of Directors of the National Council of Catholic Women, spoke Denver Diocesan Council on the program and activities of the parent organization. Rev. William Kearns, pastor of St. Mary's Church at Wayne, Many diocesan groups find the quarterly or regional meeting who welcomed the delegates and visitors declared that "The an excellent means of keeping active the interest and enthusiasm council meeting held in Wayne is like a day of resurrection for of their members. Such gatherings were held recently in Den­ it in its lay apostolate activities." ver, Cincinnati, Omaha, Springfield, and Sacramento. A series of eight district meetings within the Archdiocese of Milwaukee The Omaha Diocesan Council recently sponsored a Day of indicated splendid accomplishment in every section. Recollection at Creighton University which was attended by The presence of the Most Reverend Urban J. Vehr, Bishop of more than 1,500 Catholic married women. "A Day with Mary" Denver, at the quarterly meeting of the Denver Diocesan Coun­ was the general theme for the four conferences which were cil held recently at Boulder, Colo., and his expression of ap­ given by Rev. John J. Keefe, S.J., professor of English at proval of the program already undertaken by the council were Creighton University. . trery gratifying to its members. Springfield, Ill., Diocesan Council Rev. F. Gregory Smith, diocesan director of vacation schools, t"eferred with appreciation to the fact that the vacation school A splendid educational program carried out in the Diocese of tnovement in Colorado was launched by the Diocesan Council Springfield in Illinois in order that Catholics throughout the of Catholic Women, and Rev. Robert Murray paid a glowing diocese may be acquainted with the aims and purposes of both tribute to the women for their assistance to the sisters engaged the diocesan and national councils of Catholic women was the in teaching c.atechism to the children in the outlying districts. subject of report and discussion at the quarterly meeting held Reports indicated that 581 children were prepared for first in Springfield, April 24. The deanery chairmen outlined the Communion in the council's catechetical centers and that many way in which the plan had been carried out in their respective of this number were outfitted for the occasion through the ef­ deaneries and the publicity chairman, Miss Pauline Hunn told forts of sewing groups within the council. of a plan to acquaint all Catholic readers throughout the diocese The alert and intelligent work of the Legislative Committee, with the council program. the attention given civic affairs, and the 62 study clubs func­ .An interesting paper entitled "Ten Reasons for Affiliation tioning within the diocese are particularly noteworthy. WIth the Council" was read by Miss Sarah Dailey. The paper was the result of a careful study of the pUblications of the na­ Rev. Harold V. Campbell, representing Rev. John R. Mulroy, tional council. Other papers which indicated the work done in spiritual director of the council, referred to it as the "back­ the deanery educational groups were "The Structure of the ground of the Catholic Charities." N. C. W. C.," read by Miss Cecilia Lofy, and "The Catholic Mrs. J. C. Hagus, first vice-president, presided at the morn­ Radio Hour," by Mrs. W. C. Wilderson. These should be of ing session and turned the meeting over to Mrs. M. J. O'Fallon, very material assistance to the educational program which the former president of the diocesan group and for several years council is undertaking. a director of the national council. The Rev. Lawrence Winking, of Decatur, Ill., addressed the 30 CATHOLIC ACTION July, 1932

council on "Peace versus Pacifism" and urged the study of the schools and spiritual director of the council, and the local Christian way to peace. pastors and priests of the respective deaneries. Miss Isabel Fogarty, president of the diocesan council, pre­ This year's sessions were featured also by talks on "Peace and sided at the meeting that was attended By more than 200 repre­ the Disarmament Conference," by Miss Anna Dill Gamble, of sentatives from the Springfield, Decatur, Effingham, Litchfield, York, Pa., N. C. C. W. representative on the National Catholic Alton and Jacksonville deaneries. Welfare Conference's Joint Committee on Peace. Resolutions were adopted as follows: Reiterating the coun­ Davenport Diocesan Council cil's oppositon to legislation tending in any way to further Urging cooperation in council activities the Most Rev. H. P. birth control; urging participation in all local state or federal Rohlman, Bishop of Davenport, gave the principal address at measures for aiding unemployment and improving the economic a quarterly meeting of the diocesan council recently held at condition and calling upon the study clubs of all groups to co­ Davenport. He stated that when we stand alone we are helpless operate in the educational propaganda for both spiritual and but when a group gets together it feels the strength of solidarity. material relief; and endorsing all movements toward peace and The child welfare work of the organization was recounted by disarmament which shall bring about better feeling among the Miss Ethel Garside. nations; and urging active cooperation on the part of affiliated A standing committee on study clubs was added and Miss organizations in the program for religious instruction through Marguerite Hallingan, of the Davenport Deanery, was asked the establishment of religious vacation schools throughout the to serve as chairman. archdiocese. Miss Katherine Meyers, diocesan president, presided at the Miss Katherine R. Williams, president of the council, initiated meeting. Rt. Rev. Msgr. Martin Cone, spiritual director of the these v uable annual gatherings of women in deanery groups council, who is confined to the .hospital, sent greetings and good and her lirection has brought them to a stage of successful ac­ wishes to the gathering. complishment. .Her addresses at the various meetings dealt with problems of concern to Catholics today, especially to Duluth Diocesan Council Catholic women leaders, and with the means of meeting them. The third quarterly meeting of the Duluth Diocesan Council More than 1,560 miles were traveled by Miss Williams in her of Catholic Women, held recently at Ely, Minn., proved most journies to the various meeting places. successful both in attendance and in business transacted. Detroit" League of Cathol:c Women "Disarmament and the Geneva Conference," was the subject of Father Hayes' sermon at the Mass with which the meeting The program for the annual conference of the League of opened. Catholic Women of Detroit, held April 27 to 29 at Detroit, in­ The Executive Board met during the morning and discussed cluded a reception and tea at the Madeleine Sophie Home, an many problems of import to the diocesan council, among them informal dinner in the ball room of the Activities Building of the erection of a monument to Bishop Barraga on the North the Club House and Boarding Home conducted by the League, Shore drive, permission for which had been granted by the followed by an address on "The Christian Ideal of the Family," State Historical Society. by the Rt. Rev. Michael J. Grupa, a mot.or trip to various points An interesting feature of the meeting was the "Peace Lunch­ of interest including the three settlements operated by the eon" at which the speakers and their subjects were: Rev. Omer league, reports of the various branches of the league in cities Robillard, of Duluth, "Peace"; Sister Bernard, College of St. throughout the diocese, and addresses by the Most Rev. Joseph Scholastica, "Christian Education of Youth"; M. J. Thompson, C. Plagens, Auxiliary Bishop of Detroit, and by Msgr. John M. "Goals of Tomorrow"; and Mrs. M. E. Louisell, president of the Doyle, chancellor, both of whom heartily commended the league's diocesan co-qncil, who talked on the educational program of the work along spiritual and welfare lines. council and its relation to peace. The officers for the ensuing year are: Mrs. Edward A. Skae, Mrs. M. J. Fleming, of Duluth, planned the program with president; Mrs. A. J. Prentice, recording secretary; Mrs. Rose the assistance of members of the local council. A report of the Pasterino, treasurer; and Mrs. J. P. O'Connell, corresponding annual meeting of the Duluth Council held May 6 has not yet secretary. The presidents of the various units are vice-presi­ reached headquarters. dents of the diocesan league. Milwaukee Archdiocesan Council --- - - ... ------In a letter of acceptance to an invitation to address the first DRAMATIZING CATHOLIC ACTION STUDIES of a series of district meetings held yearly within the Archdio­ (Continued from page 23) cese of Milwaukee the Most. Rev. Samuel A. Stritch, Archbishop take charge of the Miss:on Crusade to be started by the Parish of Milwaukee, wrote: Sodality of Our Lady. Neither knew just what this work in­ "We appreciate very deeply this opportunity to express again volved. Another friend came in, a student from Nazareth Col­ our heartiest approval of the archdiocesan council of Catholic lege of the future, and she outlined the many activities in which women, to bless its great works and to thank Almighty God for having given us in our ministry the fine cooperation of its mem­ Nazareth participated for the Student Mission Crusade: saving bers. It is our most sincere wish and prayer that its member­ stamps; undertaking catechetical instruction 00 help parish ship may be enlarged until its enrollment hears the names of priests; taking courses of instruction in apologetics to be able all the Catholic women of the archdiocese. In a special way we to explain difficult points of doctrine to others; visiting the sick; appreciate the educational work of the council in these days. reading to the blind; taking an interest in the deaf; visiting It is this work above all others which will enlighten our women and helping the poor; adopting missions and helping them in on the great pronouncements of our Holy Father and promote every way possible. among them zealous cooperation in bringing the Christ-King In May the annual conferences on the encyclical Rerum back into the affairs and institutions of mankind." N ovarum were held as usual, with daily student addresses and Sixty-four clergymen attended one or the other of the sessions outside speakers. This year, of course, the present Holy Father's and a total of 1,605 women were registered. Two hundred and labor Encyclical Quadragesimo Anno was also discussed. fifty-six parishes with an estimated popUlation of 310,000 were In the dramatic presentations an effort was made to g:ve real represented. solid information under a popular guise. Lively discussions Archbishop Stritch in his address pointed out the evils of the followed each of these playlet'S, and it is felt that the sodalists day and asked the women of the archdiocesan and national have not only gained a clearer idea as to the direction which councils to throw the full weight of their influence against Catholic activities should take, but that they have also come to them. reaEze some of the many ways in which they personally can for­ Other guest speakers at the various meetings included: the ward Catholic Action and thus fulfill the wishes of our reigning Very Rev. Joseph F. Barbian, archdiocesan superintendent of pontiff.

-----~----- July, 1932 CATHOLIC ACTION 31

N. C. C. W. Committee on Family and Parent Education -Continued from page 21 a number of such co-laborers and a high type of cooperation. Allied to the work of the Committee on Family and Parent What further accomplishment can be noted? Education is the cooperation of the National Council of Catholic In cooperation with the Catholic Rural Life Conference the Women in the study commissions of the International Union N. C. C. W. has furthered the publication of the Parent Edu­ of, Catholic Women's Leagues. The report of these commissions, c'ator symposium of 1930 and 1931 and has promoted its distri­ published in 1930, summarized facts gleaned from 16 countries, bution for study club material. It can also report, through its enumer'ating and evaluating the forces destructive of the moral, efforts, the success, as study club material, of a pamphlet, religious and economic welfare of the family. The study, now Parent and Child, by Rev. Edgar Schmiedler, O.S.B., Ph.D. under way, in which the N. C. C. W., through chosen experts, The Monthly Message, N. C. C. W., has carried continuously a is likewise participant, will report on the constructive forces, study outline on "The Family" based on An Introductory Study in each of these countries, laboring for the moral, religious and of the Fa~ily and Readings on the Family, also by Dr. Schmied­ economic welfare of the family. The questionnaires cover: leI'. Study club outlines are now in preparation on Allers Religion: family education, psychology, pedagogy: intellectual Psychology of Characte'r and in the field of economics, on life: industrial life: agricultural life: delinquents: preventive "Family Buageting" and "Nutrition." work for children: sex education, its methods and results: edu­ Book lists of juvenile literature are available and a program cation for public and civic life. of helps for the foreign-born mother is well under way. A In the modern world where social changes have their be­ special committee interested in youth is preparing a report on wildering effect on family life, the religion of Christ alone hbw pre-marital education might be given advisedly to young women in the extra-home agencies, in the settlement, the offers a permanent ideal and moral support. To assist the in­ sodality, the fraternity, and the Newman club. A special plan dividuals and groups united in the N. C. C. W. to adjust to for the pre-school child is being developed by an expert in that world changes, to avail themselves of true knowledge and to field. These small beginnings will, it is hoped, develop slowly build securely on the sure support of , Catholic teaching for the but surely, a program and materials that will serve the Catholic welfare of family life is, in its modest way, the far-distant mother and homemaker, both present and prospective, to fulfill goal towards which the work of the Committee on Family and to the utmost her high calling in this difficult age. Parent Education, N. C. C. W., directs its effort. ------oJo------PREPARATION FOR MARRIAGE PRESERVING THE INTEGRITY OF MARRIED LIFE (Continued from page 8) (Continued from page 18) affection for their future partner. It is well that the Pope in­ frailty by the assistance of divine grace. Such an authority sists that the young people should not omit to ask the prudent is found nowhere save in the Church instituted by Christ the advice of their parents with regard to selecting the partner for Lord." life. N or should they fail betimes to take into their confidence May these inspiring words serve to quicken and revivify their pastor whose experience may well fit him to prevent their the Christian mind throughout the world; to bring back all making serious mistakes in choosing the one person who is to be of the remembered benedictions and the revered sanctities primarily their helpmate in reaching heaven. In his instruc­ which characterized that Holy Family at Nazareth. May there tions to young people, the priest must stress the sacred character be made possible for parents and children everywhere some­ of Catholic marriage. The priest must offer telling proof that thing of that glorious vision that the prophet Zacarias saw in love and marriage are not things to play with, or to take lightly. the New Jerusalem. He may use plain language to bring home to his charges the -oJo----- fact that those who fall in love easily are apt to fall out of love quite as readily. Many unhappy marriages can be traced to the CATHOLIC ACTION AND THE FAMILY circumstances that adolescents are rather prone to "fall" in (Continued from page 20) love. Our Catholic youth should recognize that being in love implies the realization that here is a life-partTIer-a realization There is even greater need of this association today than that calls for serious adjustments. The new state of life is not there was in the days of Pope Leo. Irreligion has made greater to be entered into lightly, certainly not a situation to fall into! inroads. Fewer families are grounded on a religious foundat:on. With regard to the large subject of courtship, we cannot do Even many Catholic families are feeling the impact of the pagan better than to quote the old rule of the theologians: Company ideals of the day and of our disturbed social condimons. As a keeping will be proper if these conditions are observed: (1) result, there is lacking on the part of many that sense of re­ there must be the intention to marry; (2) there must be a sponsibility that only a spirit of religion , can give. The Asso­ probability or at least a possibility of marriage; (3) the pro­ ciation of the Holy Family provides a ,simple and effective means prieties must be observed. for making religion again a more vital and active force within ------oJo------the generality of Christian homes. Organized on a diocesan basis it offers a most promising medium for Catholic action in CHIEF EVILS OF MODERN MARRIAGE the sense in which Pius XI defines it--the organization of the (Continued /ro?n page 10) laity working under the hierarchy. , "Public magistrates have no direct power over the bodies of their Such, then, are a few possible lines of action in behalf of our subjects," and therefore, where there is no question of crime or home life: the launching of a special Catholic conference on the pun:shment they cannot "directly harm or tamper with the in­ family, greater emphasis in our schools upon preparation for tegrity of the body either for eugenics or for any other reason." marriage, more interest on the part of adult education groups "Chrisman doctrine establishes and the light of human reason in the study of successful family life and parenthood, and a re­ makes it most clear that private individuals have no other power newal of the religious life of individual families by enrollment over the members of their bodies than that which pertains to in the Association of the Holy Family. A program of action their natural ends." There is nothing more certain from medi­ along these lines, initiated and carried forward with the zeal cal experience than that men cannot ignore or abuse the laws and enthusiasm worthy of the cause in question, should result of nature without complete breakdown of bodily functions and eventual dissolution in death. As certain is the result of the in a vast crusade that would eventually bring into its own again abuse of the moral law which not only becomes evident in the the flourishing Christian family life of the past. And no less a individual but in society of which he constitutes a part. consummation than that! is to be hoped for. ------+------32 . CATHOLIC ACTION July, 1932

STUDY POPE PIUS XI'S POWERFUL "Christian Marriage" Encyclical Use this excellent material supplied by the N. C. W. C.

I II Authorized text of the Casti Connubii (of Analysis of the "Christian Marriage" Ency­ Chaste Wedlock) Encyclical. r1 ical of Pope Pius XI, by Patrick J. Ward, Note: Specify N. C. W. C. Polyglot Press and pamphlet edition when ordering. A Study Club Outline prepared by the Price-Single copies, 10 cents; 50, $2.50; N. C. W. C. Study Club Committee 100, $4.50. In one pamphlet for 10 cents a copy

N. C. W. C. PUBLICATJONS on the FAMILY

Ten Cent Pamphlets Study Club. Outlines rrhe Family The Family (25 cents a copy) rrhe Parent and Child The Parent Educator-Volume I (25 cents Case Against Birth Control a copy) A Great Sacrament The Parent Educator-Volume II (50 cents Developing Character in Our Children a copy) Human Sterilization B irth Co~trol-A booklet by Rev. John M. Inheritance of Mental Defect Cooper (25 cents a copy) Social Care of the Mentally Deficient Moral Aspects of Sterilization ALSO RECOMMENDED Eugenic Sterilization in the Laws of the Religious Outlines for Colleges-Volume IV, by Rev. States Dr. John M. Cooper (Catholic Education Press, Washington, D. C., $1.25) ; An Introductory Study of Problems of Mental Deficiency Series the Family ($2.25) and Readings on the Family (Composed of last four listed-25c) ($2.50), both by Rev. Dr. Edgar Schmiedeler, O.S.B. (The Century Company, New York) ; Sex Education and Training in Chastity, by Rev. Felix M. Kirsch, Quantity lots: 50, $2.50; 100, $4.50 O. M. Cap. (Benziger Brothers, New York, $3.75)

ALSO AVAILABLE THE FOLLOWING ENCYCLICALS OF POPE PIUS XI Encyclical on St. Francis of Assisi; Encyclical on True Religious Unity; Encyclical on Christian Education of Youth; Encyclical on St. Augustine; Encyclical on Christian Marriage; Forty Years After; Encyclical on Catholic Action; The Light of Truth; Sacred Heart and W orId Distress.

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