IN A FEW WORDS

Jesuit Reform ?
AN American Jesuit or Fr. D'Arey having failed to make a sensation of the election of the General of the Jesuits, certain papers have hinted that an important reform is to be put into operation with the Society. One need not consult the Society to know that there is nothing in this (though. of course, I made sure). The Church itself and the great Institutions within It prefer the process or constant adaptation to the New Year resolution mentality. The great changes in the Would no doubt suggest the need for the hastening of certain adaptations, bill that is all. For example. those acquainted with the Society know that for many years now there has been a tendency to appoint exceptionally young superiors. But pet haps now that there is not quite such world-wide excitement at the phenomenon or ynteh, the latest adaptation will consist in reverting to older superiors!
Catholic Action in the Hamlets
pERHAPS this is the beginning of an
a answer to the question about the apostolate of the non-Catholic countryside which I discussed last week, At the beginning of the war an Irish cook went to work for a country gentleman in a Hertfordshire village. When she arrived she asked how to get to the nearest Catholic church and was told it was in the town six miles distant. " And is there a bus on Sundays?" she
asked. " I'm afraid not," was the
reply. Then I'm very sorry to have to say that I cannot work here as I must get to Mass On Sundays."
Her would-be employer, a considerate man and eager to obtain her services, suggested that, if it priest could come to say Mass at the house, he would be glad to pay his travelling expenses. To-day, between forty and fitty Catholics assist at the Holy Sacrifice every Sunday at the Mass-centre that has been established there—thanks to one Irishwoman imbued with the spirit of Catholic Action.
Browning's Fame THE Browning marriage centenary has evoked many appreciations of Li POei—I mean Robert—who has suffered a considerable eclipse. But there will be many people who will read what has been written with wistha interest, for Browning seems to be par excellence the poet appreciated during the later years of adolescence. The combination of a iornantic, optimistic and intricate philosophy with dramatic argument and attiactivo, if often difficult, poetry appeals essentially to the young man on the threshold of life. It was in that period that I, who have never read a great deal of litetature, worked solidly through the 12 books of The Ring and the Rook. And even today when I open Browning's poems I am held in a way no other poet, save Shakespeare, holds me. Though I recognise that this is due to the drama and the argument rather than the beauty of the pinto, (at tirees it can be hideous), I suspect that it was 131:0WOing's will to believe in Christian truth
rather than his shorteornings which have clouded his teputation.
Catholic Memorials COMMENTING on Lord Clonmore's report of thc prospects of turning Darrynane Abbey, tho home of Daniel O'Connell, into a National Museum, a correspondent pleads that it Should lather become a religious house or monastery. " The great O'Connell was cum of the greatest Catholic leaders Ireland has ever known," he points out. htom what Mr. HeurtIcy. the husband of the owner, wrote to me sonic months ago I doubt whether the buildings would be suitable for this purpose, But certainly something alive rather than dead would be in the Liberator's tradition. I. sometimes wonder whether Catholic centres, not primarily religious. but social and cultural as well as religious, could be more onen set
up. What better than a first-class library in the country where students could stay and work, with Mass daily celebrated in the house?
The Doctor in Switzerland APOSTCARD f tom Switzerland, sent me by a well-known Catholic doctor there for the British-Swiss Medical Conference at Basle, reads: " Overheard at the Conference: ' Isn't it grand to be in a civilised country again?' And that is a pretty general feeling of visitors to this spick and span little democracy. To a Catholic the pilgrimage to Einsiedeln on the 14tle the national detnonstration un the Sunday after, the reverence for Pater Klaus, the national hero, the Ambros shiner treasures oil exhibition at Lucerne and the numerous wayside Calvaries give one explanation, and perhaps the best, of the atmosphere of culture in this peaceful land. For the Swiss, England and the British are their only hope against the Russian terror, just as they were against the Nazi IIICHaCC. Hence the welcome for MI'. Churchill which could not have been greater if William Tell himself suddenly materialised."
Discretion for Him: Valour for Us I WAS amused this week to receive a letter front a correspondent arguing strongly against Catholics being allowed to practise in the Divorce Court. The letter ended. "I do not expect that you will publish this, but, should you dare to do so, do not publish my address as I do not wish for correspondence." We rarely publish kiwis we are " dated" to publish, especially when they arc written by correspondents who coolly hide all or part of their identity so (hut any subsequent trouble or work falls on us! But few have been quite so candid about it.
JOTTER
Wise and Otherwise
The ' iton curtain ' interposed by the Roman Catholic Church against Protestant Churches is the greatest single obstacle in the way of this unity."—eirchbisliop of Canterbury.
"I suppose It It illogical to hate a whole nation."Genct.al Eisenhower.