As Catholics, we should keep in mind that we have two millennia-worth of Catholic customs and traditions at our disposal, all of which should be regarded as our birthright

One Small Way To Restore Catholic Culture

by Rachel Lu

If you ever visit the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN, make sure you get a glimpse of the campus’ loveliest bit of architecture, the iconic St. Thomas arches. Built in 1947, these arches stand proudly astride the administrative building and the liberal arts center, displaying a statue of the university’s patron.

At one time, the buildings were known as Aquinas Hall and Albertus Magnus Hall. It was a beautiful pairing, which left the university’s signature landmark gracefully bridging the gap between the Angelic Doctor and his inspired teacher. In 1999, however, the university renovated Albertus Magnus Hall, at which time it was renamed “the John Roach Center.”

John Roach was the archbishop in the Twin Cities from 1975 to 1995. I never knew him, so be assured that there is no personal animus behind this one little thought: I do not think he contributed as much to the Church as Albert the Great. And it saddens me to realize that, with the loss of his building, a majority of UST students will surely graduate without so much as hearing the name of St. Thomas’ great mentor.

Imagine a world in which Catholic universities named their landmarks with an eye to the students’ good, and not to university politics. Better still, imagine a world in which wealthy Catholic patronsdemanded that buildings be named for their patron saints. Students would casually speak the names of saints and mystics and great philosophers on a daily basis, every time they gave their address or discussed their schedule. Now and then one might become curious and look up a few of the names.

We Americans live in an increasingly secular country that was founded on Protestant soil. We do not, like many of our European and South American brethren, have the benefit of living in a world filled with Catholic landmarks and cultural touchstones. This lack of Catholic signs makes it particularly easy for Americans to shed our Catholicism gradually and painlessly, as the culture assimilates us and euthanizes our religious faith.

...............

Read more here: www.crisismagazine.com