t ean VOL. 38, NO. 17
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Friday, April 29, 1994
By Teri Smith GREENFIELD, Mass (CNS) -- Whether or not you dot your "i's" and cross your "t's," and how you do, may say a lot more about you than you think. Handwriting analysis, or graphology, goes back to the ISOOs and by the 1830s the study was given a boost by a group of French clergy. To the average person, it is a form of fortunetelling, a superficial means of guessing a person's traits. Not so, said Bob Backman, curator at the Handwriting Analysis Research Library in Greenfield. It is believed to be the only organization of its kind in the world, housing some SO,OOO items on the subject. "We cannot predkt from it," he said in an intervil~w with The Catholic Observer, newspaper of the Springfield diocese. "We look for the neutral and emotional patterns in handwriting, the habit patterns - not traits, but the inner dynamics of a human being." Backman, 76, is one of several European-trained interpreters in the United States. He became interested in the fidd during his school days, when as a left-handel' he was forced to write with his right hand. A retired Army colonel, he has a master's degree in clinical psychology specializing in the field of graphic behavior: the study of any mark on any surfacl~ done with the human hand, that expresses something, be it handwriting, scribbling or sculpture. In 1937, Backman began acquiring as much material as possible on the origins, development, methods and procedures of graphology. Handwriting tells him where someone was "coming from as a human being," he said. "All you have to see is the handwriting. It's downright fascinating." His library clearly reflects that he is one of many pc:rsons throughout history to be fascinated by the subject. The facility, run out of his home, is a self-supporting, nonprofit organization intended for research and reference. Its services are based on its collections on graphology, handwriting, handwriting analysis, history of writing, penmanship, and the like. It is listed by the Library of Congress as a "last resort" source. Backman's handwriting samples
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range from those of Napoleon Bonaparte to Spanish novelist Don Cervantes. According to Backman's research, after 1810 interest in handwriting analysis spread widely and more interpreters focused on individual evaluations of character. By the IS30s, the Amiens Study Circle emerged, a handful of clergymen in France who collected all the information they could find on the topic, tested it and tried to. deduce general conclusions to form a system or method of interpretation. The group's members included Archbishop Boudiryet of Amiens, Cardinal Regnier ofCambrai, and LEADING THE Catholi9 Charities Appeal are, from left, Father Daniel L. Freitas, Abbe Louis J.H. Flandrin. Archbishop Boudinet reportedly Appeal director; John Urban~ lay chairman; Bishop Sean O'Malley and Fall River area made surprise visits to schools in organizers Bella Nogueira, Father John F. Andrews and Joe Gromada. (Hickey photo) his diocese, asking pupils to show him their written lessons and scrutinizing them to determine the nature and charact¢r of the writer. Prior to 1825, Al>be Flanderin, Reports from the Special Gifts I close for both Special Gift and ,Parish Phase Begins also a pastor and teacher, introphase of the 1994 Catholic ChariThe Appeal's parish phase be- parish contributions on Wednesduced to the group Jean Hippolte ties Appeal bring the current , gins Sunday, May I, when thou- day, June 8. To assure credit, Michon, a geologist so fascinated Appeal total to $189,475. Special sands' of volunteer parish solici- reports from May 30 on should be by handwriting that he studied the gifts solicitors are asked to return I tors will call at 115,000 homes in brought in person to Appeal Headsubject until his death and coined their remaining contribution cards , the 112 parishes of the diocese. quarters at 344 Highland Ave., the word "graphology." no later than Wednesday, May 4. Contribution cards have been Fall River. Meeting periodically until 1843, "We are grateful for the gener- mailed to every home and families the Amiens group concluded that "We hope that everyone of our ous response of the Special Gift are asked to have donations ready it was possible to demonstrate donors," said John P. Urban, lay for solicitors. Solicitors will make 112 parishes will surpass its 1993 what perhaps had never been their reports to parish headquar- total," said Appeal director Father chairman of the Appeal. observed from already known "We urge the Special Gift solici- ters, and continue collections until Daniel L. Freitas. "May our sacri"signs" in handwriting. ficial and generous giving bring a today, 130 "sigI;ls" or traits are tors to make their returns as soon full coverage is accomplished. substantial increase over last year's to their area headquarThe parish phase ends Wednesas possible considered possible in a piece of day, May 25. The Appeal will total of $2,226,973.22." handwriting. Each is measured on ters." a scale of I to 10, with I being the . - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
.Appeal
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Lee Nugent, a professional handwriting analyst in
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"It's extremely intensive," she said. "Begin with stroke differences, and train ~he eye to look [for] and evaluate" such characteristics as slant, pressure, and size. "If you lean far to the right, you are outgoing and reach out to people. If you write straight, you are very controlled and te'1d to hold yourself back." She said everyone has a baseline in handwriting and any deviations from it indicate mood swings and how emotions influence behavior. "Sometimes our handwriting will reflect it before our consciousness does," she said. "Handwriting analysis is a tool to use as a helping hand, for example, to prevent a suicide." Turn to Page 13
h~ads
into parish· phase
African synod therJIes
Culture, women, evangelization V ATICAN CITY (CNS) - The : need for local freedom in incultu- : ration and a forceful proclamation of the church's social teachings emerged as important themes in a midterm report on the special Sy- ' nod of Bishops on Africa. The, synod concludes May 8. The document also called for strong support of women's rights, , both in society and the church. It encouraged the sometimes-difficult dialogue with Muslims in Africa, and denounced international birth control programs that target the, continent. The report summarized the first: two weeks of individual speeches: and set the agenda for two weeks of small group meetings and ~ I
final message to the w.orld to follow. It said inculturation was the key to bridging the gap between
professed faith and daily life Africa. Turn to Page 13
In
Cape Cod principals announced Sister Carol Clifford, RSM, and Mrs. Teresa Rosseter will be the principals respe~tively of Holy Trinity School, West Harwich, and St. Margaret's School, Buzzards Bay. In making the announcement, Sister Michaelinda Plante, superintendent for diocesan elementary schools, commented that she was pleased that two such outstanding educators would fill the leadership positions on Cape Cod. Sister Carol is a veteran princi-
pal, having served in that capacity for five years at St. Mary's School, Claremont, N H and for the last 12 years at St. Patrick's School, Portsmouth, NH. A graduate of Mt. St. Mary College in New Hampshire and Salem State College, she indicated her eagerness to "accept the challenge of helping develop a new Catholic school community on Cape Cod." Mrs. Rosseter comes to St. Turn to Page 13