Evening star., 1939-06-04
Pope Gives Blessing
For Georgetown
Sesquicentenniai
II Honorary Degrees
Conferred at Open-Air
Cosvocution

1mparting the apostolic blessing on
Georgetown University for $50
years of honorable service to God
and country" personal message
from Pope Plus XII, breathing the
friendliest sentiments for the first
Catholic college founded in the
United States, served as a fitting
climax yesterday afternoon to Sc
ries of academic ceremonies that
started week ago.
Soon after the colorful open-air
convocation at which the Very Rev.
Arthur A. O'Leary, S. j., president,
conferred honorary degrees upon
Speaker William H. Bankhead of
Alabama and Is other prominent
representatives of church, state and
the professions, more than $500
alumni began crowding all available
dining space in the Mayf1ower Hotel
for sesquicentennial reunion. The
anniversary observance a thing of
the past, the university turns its at
tentlon now to the two days of COM
mencement activities. This opens
at 10 O'Clock this morning with the
baccalaureate mass in Dahlgren
Chapel.
The message of Pope Plus, who re-
ceived the degree of doctor of canon
and civil law from Georgetown on a
visit here two years ago, was read
to the audience by Archbishop Am
leto Giovanni Cicognani. apostolic
delegate to the United States. 1t
lauded the memory and patriotism
of the founder, Archbishop John
Carroll.
only he can serve his country
best who serves his God first" the
pontiff's message said, in reminding
that no one can claim tribute of pa
triotism who labors to "subvert re-
ligion and morality"
Procession Precedes Convocation.
Prominent Catholic educators, the
presidents of some 25 universities
and official delegates from $50 other
educational institutions and learned
societies joined in the dignified aca-
demic procession that preceded the
convocation. Among them was the
Very Rev. Coleman Nevils, S. j., of
New York, predecessor of Dr.
OLeary at Georgetown.
Joseph Scott of Los Angeles,
prominent Catholic lawman. deliv-
cred the sesquicentennial Grafton
and an alumnus, John Brunini of
New York, executive secretary of the
Catholic Poetry Society, read the ode
written for the occasion.
The reply for the church on behalf
of those receiving honors was made
by the Most Rev. John M. McNa-
mara, auxiliary bishop of Baltimore,
who conveyed greetings from Arch
bishop Curley. Like Speaker Bank
head, who replied for the State and
laymen. he paid tribute to George
towns traditions.
Speaker Bankhead said in part:
mo government for a great people
can hope to survive purely upon po-
litical theology. There must be cou-
pied with it cultural and spiritual
and professional ideals and prac-
tices to stabilize the morale of the
people-to govern their personal
conduct by systems of sound moral
ethics. and to teach them that ma
terialistic values are but a portion
of the patrimony of sound and
enduring civilization.
Speaking as representative of
the legislative branch of our Gov
ernment, I invoke with unre-
strained confidence your further
cooperation in sustaining in full
strength and substance the essence
of our democratic institutions which
make men free-free to speak their
honest convictionS-free to worship
their God in such fashion as
conscience and conviction may
choose without coercion or restraint
from any temporal power-free to
acquire and bequeath-free to set
up our own altars and hearthStoneS
without let or hindrance-free to
order our own lives without puni-
tive menace from any quarter, and
free to cherish every noble memory
that occasions like this inspire"
Honorary Degrees.
The list of the recipients Of
sesquicentennial degrees conferred
by the president follows:
Doctor of Laws.
Most Rev. John NJ Mcnamara,
D. F. Auxiliary Bishop of Baltimore.
Right Rev Msgr. John L. Sheri-
dan, president of Mount st. Mary's
College, Emmitsburg. Md.
Speaker William B. Bankhead of
Alabama GL. B., '95, Georgetown) :.
Gov. Herbert r. OConor of
Maryland.
Associate Justice Harold M.
Stephens, United States Court of
Appeals for the District of Co.
1umbia.
J. Edgar Hoover. director, Federal
Bureau of Investigation, Depart
ment of Justice.
Joseph Scott, Los Angeles,
Catholic law leader.
Basil Harris, New York City, vice
president, International Mercantile
Marine.
Thomas E. Murray, jr., New York
City, receiver, Interborough Rapid
Transit Company.
Charles T. Fisher, jr., Detroit,
Mich, banker. (B. S., %, George
town.
Doctor of Social Sciences.
Right Rev. Msgr Joseph NJ Cor
rigan, rector, the Catholic Univers-
ity of America.
Doctor of Science.
DR.. Irwin Bell, Louisville, KY,
past president, American Medical
Association, professor. Louisville
University Medical School,
Brig. Gen. Leigh c. Fairbank, U.
s. A., assistant to the surgeon gen.
eral of Army in charge of the Den
ANY MAKE
WATCA