The Irish standard., 1908-04-18

tinctive marks of his oratory. and are
effectively set off by the charm of his
personality. However, it is in Tho
sterling worth of the man himself, ii
the exemplary sweetness of his home
life. and in the unwavering devotion tc
Church and country that we sound the
truest notes of his character; and No.
tire Dame may rest assured that in hon
the full the end for which the medal is
bestowed-the recognition of absolute
and unquestioned merit.
The custom of awarding the Laetare
Medal was inaugurated at Notre Dame
in 1883. when the faculty decided that
a medal should be given each year to
some member of the Catholic laity dis
tinguished for furthering the interests
of morality, education, and citizenship
The practice was inspired, no doubt, by
similar custom which has prevailed
In Europe since the thirteenth century.
- was iAiSIAtulSu ny tiie popeS, WHO
each year give a golden rose, blessed
by the Pontiff. to some European whose
services to religion or humanity were
deemed worthy of recognition. The
rose is blessed on the Mid Sunday Of
Lent. and its presentation is accuepa-
MED By benediction which in e,rly
times was conveyed in the following
form: Receive from our hands this
rose beloved son, who, according to
the world art noble. valiant and en-
dowed with great prowess. that you
may be still more ennobled by every
virtue from Christ, as rose planted
near the streams of many waters: and
may this grace be bestowed on you in
the overflowing clemency of Him who
liveth and reigneth. world without
end"
The medal derives it's name from the
day on which it is bestowed, I.aetare
Sunday--so called because the Introit
Of the Mass for that day begins with
the word, Laetare, meaning Rejoice" J"
This day was selected in accordance
with the European custom, as the pur-
pose to be attained in both cases is
nearly identical. The medal itself is
Of artistic design and finished work.
lnanship. The bar from which the disc
is suspended is lettered "Laeta-e Med
AL" and the inscription: Magma est
veritas ct praevalebit-Truth is NIGH
ty and shall prevail" appears on the
face of the disc. Upon the reverse
side. ths names OF the University and
the recipient are inscribed. The ad-
dress presented with the medal is
painted and printed on silk. and Is a
record of the special reasons for which
the person has been chosen.
Doctor John Culinary Shea, the his
torian, was the first to be honored with
the distinction, and the names Of the
subsequent recipients represent the
very flower of the American Catholic
laity, as is evident from the following
list: Patrick J. Keeley, architect;
Eliza Alien Starr, art critic; Gen. John
Newton, civil engineer; Patrick V.
Hickey, editor; Anna Hanson Dorsey,
novelist: William J. Onahan, publicist; !;
Daniel Dougherty, orator: Major Hem
ry w. Il. Brownson, soldier and schol-
ar; Patrick Donahoe, editor; Augustiv
DAILY. theatrical manager: Anna Il.
sad1ier. author; William starke Rose-
Grams. soldier: Doctor Thomas A. En-.
met, physician; Hon. Timothy Howard,
jurist: Mary Gwendolen Caldwell
philsnthropist: William Bourke Cock
ran. lawyer and orator: Doctor John
B. Murphy. surgeon: Charles ]. Bona
parte. statesman; Richard G. Kerens
philantInropist; Thomas B. Fitzpatrick
philanthropist; Hon. Francis Quinlan
surgeon; Katherine E. Conway, editor
Arrangements have not yet beer
completed for the formal presentation
of the medal, but May II has been ten
, tatively suggested, on which date oul
Rev. President, Father Cavanaugh
proposes to hold a reunion Of all the
living mcdalists at Notre Dame. anG
signalize the occasion by bestwine
the honor upon Doctor Monaghan. The
realization of this plan would bring to.
gether men and women Of notable at.
tainments in their respective callings
and Notrc Dame might we'll feel hon.
ored in entertaining an assemblage o.
such inspiring exemplars of Catholi,
truth and civic morality.
Be Cheerful.