The following pictures were taken during Cardinal Villeneuve’s 05-09 June 1934 to Toronto, Ontario during which time he was conferred the Degree of Doctor of Laws by the University of Toronto. A very young Robert Whyte was one of eight St. Michael’s College School “Junior Students” chosen to serve as a page to the Cardinal during the three-day Toronto visit. All eight boys accompanied the cardinal on his visit to the Diocese of London, Ontario (scroll down). Pictures and text “Au Revoir” are from the Souvenir Booklet of the Visit to Toronto of His Eminence Cardianl Villeneuve omi, Archbishop of Quebec, June 5 – 9, 1934
Click on the pictures to enlarge.
AU REVOIR
At a quarter to nine Cardinal Villeneuve left Toronto to visit Western Ontario. He motored to Hamilton where he visited His Excellency Bishop McNally who had been taken ill ten days previously and then went on to Galt where he boarded the train which was taking his suite to London. On his visit to the Diocese of London he was accompanied by the eight pages, chosen from among the Junior Students of St. Michael’s College School and attired in specially designed uniforms of red, purple and gold, who had been in constant attendance on him during his stay in Toronto. The way in which he made his young attendants feel at ease in his presence is the best illustration of that kindness and sympathy which won the hearts of all who met him. It is the sincere wish of the Superior, Trustees, Staff and Students of St. Michael’s College that His Eminence will in the near future be once more their guest.
(Pictures and text from Souvenir Booklet of the Visit to Toronto of His Eminence Cardinal Villeneuve omi, Archbishop of Quebec, June 5 – 9, 1934)
Hi: I had F.Whyte for math etc. at SM boys 66- 68. Never any probs but lots of talk.
Anyway, one time he took a few of us guys swimming and I placed a newly killed frog on his bald head, He said: ‘Oh Nicholas, what a thing to do to a person”
So he had his sensitive side
I blame the church and catholic society for much of the scandal. Kids are groomed for holy orders at way too young an age. They basically make the ‘decision’ to be celibate before they are out of puberty.
I’m sure you are familiar with the catholic saying that if you can’t join holy orders yourself the next best is to ‘give’ a son or daughter to the church. That is the exact word used ‘give’ ie the parent owns the kid and sacrifices their sexuality.
Within the churches elaborate scheme of indulgences etc. its understood that so in so doing a parent does themselves proud. But isn’t it really sacrificing the kids sexuality to expiate the ‘sins’ of ones own?