Among the 31 colleges of Cambridge University in England are three that admit only women

National Review, June 8, 2009

Among the 31 colleges of Cambridge University in England are three that admit only women. The oldest of the three is Newnham College, founded in 1871. In accordance with the ancient traditions of the university, Newnham students hear a Latin grace spoken before their college meals. The traditional grace offered thanks to Jesum Christum dominum nostrum.

This has now been ruled too religious by the bluestockings of Newnham. A new grace has been established, declaring (in Latin, at least): "For food amidst hunger, for companionship amidst loneliness, for peace amidst violence, we express thanks." What, no mention of global warming? Should other institutions be contemplating similar revisions, we beg them at least to consider a Latin grace that, notwithstanding a pedigree extending back to long before the age of multicultural sensitivities, remains wonderfully inoffensive: Benedictus benedicat--"May the Blessed One bless." You see? It invokes the Blessed One without any dogmatic specification as to the nature of Him ... or Her.

COPYRIGHT 2009 National Review, Inc.
COPYRIGHT 2009 Gale, Cengage Learning
 

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