Our Heritage & Mission

List of 6 items.

• Who was Bishop Lynch?

  The third Bishop of Dallas, Joseph P. Lynch served for 43 years - from 1911 to 1954 - the longest term of any U.S. bishop. The Michigan native was 38 years old at the time of his ordination as Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Dallas, which stretched from Texarkana to El Paso, embracing 109 Texas counties.
  
  Although the creation of additional dioceses eventually reduced the size of his reach, it did not mitigate his impact. Often called the "Lion of Texas" and known for his great oratorical skills, the progressive and dynamic Bishop Lynch helped to establish over 150 churches, more than 200 religious and charitable institutions and ordained more than 100 men into the priesthood.

  
  Bishop Joseph P. Lynch died on August 19, 1954, but his tremendous influence continues to live on through the service and faithfulness of students at his namesake - Bishop Lynch High School. 

• What is a Dominican?

  
  

  The Dominican Order - also known as the Order of Preachers - came into existence through the courage and insight of St. Dominic Guzman in the year 1216. Born in Calaruega, Spain, in 1170, Dominic's vision was to create a community of preachers, rooted in prayer, study, community and preaching, educated and ready to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the world.
  
  

  The Dominican Order was formally established in the United States in 1805 by Edward Dominic Fenwick, and their reputation for scholarship and education has continued to grow. Today, the pope's theologian is always a Dominican.

• What is a Friar?

  The Friar - our Bishop Lynch mascot - is the name given to a Dominican priest. There are more than 850 Dominican Friars in the United States. We share the Friar mascot with several other schools who have also chosen this symbol of scholarship and piety to represent their school, including Providence College in Rhode Island and Fenwick High School in Oak Park. In fact, the priests of Fenwick High School are directly responsible for the adoption of our Friar mascot - they brought this tradition with them when they travelled to Texas in the early sixties, along with a group of Dominican Sisters from Sinsinawa, WI, and founded Bishop Lynch High School. 

• What is the significance of the BL logo?

  The Bishop Lynch High School logo is also rooted in the Dominican tradition. The original Dominican shield is black and white and shaped to be reminiscent of a Friar's robes - a white tunic and scapular with a large black hood and robe. Dominican organizations often customize the basic shield to represent their organization. In the case of Bishop Lynch High School, the letters "BL" are inserted into the shield.

   

• What does the motto "Veritas" mean?

  Veritas means truth. It is one of the three basic principles of the Dominican Order. The other principles are Laudare, Benedicere, Praedicare (to praise, to bless, and to preach) and Contemplare et Contemplata Aliis Tradere (to study and to hand on the fruits of study).

• Is there a school song?

  Yes! BLHS students and alumni honor the school with two songs:

  Victory March	Alma Mater
  March, Friars, march down the field! March, Friars, march men of steel! We conquer our foes and wield A fearless strength that reveals Our loyal men never yield! Fight, Friars, fight to the end! Fight, Friars, fight 'til we win! Fight for our colors, black and white, and for Lynch and victory.	We salute Bishop Lynch,  with our voices now we raise. As we bring Thee a tribute in this our song of praise. Thy banners unfurl, Thy glory proclaim; and we shall ever loyal be who proudy hail thy name. Then we come, Alma Mater, paying homage at thy door. May we always be worthy to serve the evermore.