Columbianism in Texas
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Boy Guidance. Closely related to education, in fact part of it, is Boy Guidance. It is an admitted truth that boys need much understanding to develop leadership and to shape their character. The overflowing zest and vigor of youth must have a proper and normal outlet, hence the program of boy guidance, which undertakes this fundamental task, has always been an important concern of the Knights of Columbus. In May, 1922 at the Yoakum Convention, State Deputy Hustmyre congratulated the councils of the State for their part in organizing and fostering some twenty odd Boy Scout Troops. "You could direct your effort to no more worthy course," he said, and recommended the organi- zation of athletic associations among the Catholic youth of the various communities, pointing to the need for greater activity in developing their self-reliance, initiative, and a spirit of service to God and County. They, as no one else, needed encouragement. The urge for boy guidance resulted in the Texas delegates to the Supreme Convention that year being instructed to recommend the organ- ization of a Junior Order. The Supreme Council welcomed the idea and appointed a committee to formulate a program for the guidance of boys. The Supreme Convention held in Montreal in 1923, having heard the report of the committee, authorized the establishment of a Junior Order to be known as the Columbian Squires for boys between the ages of 14 to 18. The program of the Columbian Squires contains five points, which includes religious, cultural, vocational, physical, and social activities. It recommends prayer, Holy Mass and the Sacraments; it encourages train- ing in public speaking, drama, health, arts and crafts, competitive games, social accomplishments, and duties of citizenship for the development of life in this world. The basic unit of the new organization was the Circle. composed of sectors, each sector consisting of not more than sixteen squires under the direction of a Knight in the Council where the unit was established. Each Circle selected its officers, and passed on new members, who were admitted by application, all candidates being submitted to a careful examination as to qualifications before they were initiated in accord with the impressive ritual designed for the Columbian Squires. A Boy Life Bureau was created by the Supreme Council in 1923 to promote and supervise this important new activity, naming as its first director the nationally known authority on boys' guidance, Brother Bar- nabas, F.S.C. At the suggestion of Brother Barnabas, a Department of Boy Guidance was established in Notre Dame University by the Knights of Columbus for the training of professional leaders for the new move-
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