I was a child on the East Coast in 1958.
My parents told me about "some horrific fire in a Catholic school in Chicago". They said one nun had bravely tried to shield children as she hurried them through smokey corridors.
Though we were Jewish, I had playmates that were Catholic. I took it to heart because I knew (potentially) that my friends could have been victims. (Just like when viewing film footage of young Holocaust victims, I always put myself in their shoes).
Horrific events, especially involving children, always affect me permanently. I pray those involved have healed, and that far stricter safety standards prevail.
Any child or adolescent who deliberately sets fires is SICK!! (Assuming OLA fire was arson).
Nowadays, any student with such a deranged mind would get immediate counseling. If necessary, they'd be committed to a mental hospital as a danger to themselves and others.
In 1958, it must have been different. Nuns were probably not trained to recognize mental illness in a pupil. And they obviously had far too many students in their classes anyway.
It is possible the Church was reluctant to pursue the matter, even if they and the police knew the likely suspect.
Finally, one cannot help but ponder:
If a single person DID start the OLA fire, and he is alive today, what is he doing?
Does he have a family? Work each day? Attend Mass?
Has he set other fires? (probably) Been caught? Engaged in other violent behavior?
Does his conscience bother him, or is he devoid of human feelings?
The arsonist's identity and related info would afford some "closure" -- if that is possible.
I would appreciate comments of others. Thank you.
C. Levy
levy2001us@yahoo.com
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