Twenty‐One Years

Extract

In 1921 the Editor of Blackfriars was able to write:

‘To-day, the first of April, Blackfriars keeps its first birthday. There are some—optimists as well as pessimists—who believed we should never achieve twelve months of life. The fear, expressed in our first number, that our career, as witness to the truth, might be as short lived as that of the Holy Innocents has happily not been confirmed.’ Despite all initial prophecies and fears, the review has survived to celebrate its twenty-first birthday with as much vigour and hope as its first. This success is due in large measure to the energy and enthusiasm of Fr. Bede Jarrett, Fr. Bernard Delany and Fr. Hilary Carpenter, and we are happy to have the inspiration of the last two behind us still. Fr. Delany, the first Editor, deserves the laurels at this celebration, for not only did he toil in launching the new review and keeping it buoyant for its first ten years, but also it is mainly due to his energy that it did not founder in the crisis of last summer, when the French defeat had its repercussions even on the monthly review edited by the English Dominicans. But at the twenty-first birthday celebrations we must not forget the large number of contributors whose eminence, wit and perspicacity have marked a distinguished path for the life of Blackfriars. Mr. Joseph Clayton appeared in the very first number, and his tribute to the founder, Fr. Bede Jarrett, in this number is one of a score of articles that he has contributed since then. And there have been many like him, among whom we must single out Fr. Vincent McNabb for special gratitude.