Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-09
Ollie graduate body seeking the higher edu
cation outside of professionalism
Give It the Years.


Give it the years of its associates, give
it an endowment in keeping with it's needs,
and it's record will be worthy of the pontiff
! who laid its foundation. With the full ap-
probation of the work that is being done by
our Catholic colleges the university has
hitherto declined to enter the field of col
legiate work. In consequence it has no
large body of undergraduate students, such
as swell the registers Of the older and richer
American universities. nor can it have such
while it remains faithful to its purely
graduate character.
"A large percentage of Catholic students
is found in non-Catholic institutions. but it
must be remembered that many OF these
young men have pursued their under
graduate courses in these same institutions !;
that many others are there because the
school is near their homes. while to some
there is the attraction which comes from
the social advantages winch such schools
possess.
1T is difficult to conceive that Catholic
colleges should act as feeder, and yet,
disguise it we may, this must eventually
be the case. unless there be developed here,
under the auspices of the church, fully
equipped university, in which the layman
as well as the ecclesiastic shall find every
facility for doing professional and scientific
work. If we read the constitutions granted
to it by the sovereign-pontiff, we cannot
fail to recognize that such, indeed, is the
scope of the Catholic University, as planned
and outlined in them. To dsSuade those
who seek the higher education from enter
ing this university is to expose them to the
danger of non-Catholic institutions. To di-
minish in any way the influence of the uni
versty upon the life of this great Ameri-
can people would be to uphold and confirm
those who cast upon the church the re-
proach that she Is no longer the tea cher of
mankind; that she has never been the sin
cere friend of science and progress
Weakened Intellectual Power.
"If Catholics in order to learn anything
outside Of theology, must sit at the feet of
teachers who do not share our Catholic be-
liefs, then the intellectual power of Cathol-
icism will be weakened; then, indeed, will
we have forgotten the monition of Leo
XIII, Catholics should be leaders and not
followers.
The bishop spoke Of the need of uni
versity center Of Catholic thought where
religion and science in their highest forms
may combine to make known the marvel
GUS truth of God. He spoke OF its location
in the capital city, close to the heart of our
great republic, and in touch with the cur
rents of national life.
I'VE have faith in it as a. mission from
God he said We are full of hope in it's
future, with fidelity to the aims and pur-
poses Of the great Leo, that as the very
center of the highest scholarship it is the
honor Of our church and the pride of our
republic
Archbishop Falconlo responded feelingly,
saying:
Your sentiments Of gratitude toward the
supreme pOntiff for all that he has done
for the welfare of this institution are a
source of great consolation to mesand afford
me the hope that the Catholics of America
will appreciate the deep interest which the
holy father has taken in promoting more
and more, through this university the
higher culture of the youth of this republic
and that they will profit bV ii. --.#.
Attached, as you are, to the supreme
pontiff. l have no doubt that under his
guidance you will be able TO work with
success, and that the blessings have men
toned Will form the happy inheritance of
this institution. The end which the holy
father had in view in the canonical erection
of this university is noble and useful II is
intended to give to the Catholic youth of
America an opportunity to receive a scien-
tific and religious education in its highest
form--an education apt to render them not
only possessors of the treasures of science
and religion, but also to place them in
position to impart these blessings to others
During the holy fathers long pontifcate
he has always wished that the church
should be more than ever at the head Of
every real progress in science, in art in
Christian knowledge
May God grant that under your such
efficacicus protection you may arrive at
that apex of glory Catholic university i'm
plies.
This fraternal union of the secular and
regular clergy of the United States in par
taking of the Benefits Of an institution
destined for the highest intellectual devel-
opment bespeaks we'll for the future of the
university and Of the church in America.
Again, / pray right reverend rector, the
trustees, the faculties and the students will
accept my best thanks for their sentiments
of loyalty toward the holy see and my best
wishes for success"
The health of the President of the United
States was then drunk: standing and the
dinner was at an end. Among those pres
ent, besides Archbishop Falcono and
Bishop Conaty, were Most Rev. Archbishop
Donatus Sbaretti, apostolic. delegate to
Canada; Very Rev Mgr. Rocker Rev D. j.
Stafford, DID; Rev. E. X. Fink, S. j., presi-
dent Of Gonzaga College; the faculty of the
university and the presidents of the affil-
lated colleges.
Reception for Pre1ate.
The closing event Of the day was the
ception to Archbishop Falcohio. The big
assembly room of Mcmahon hall was
crowded with guests throughout the two
hours the reception continued. Society ma