The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1870-09-25


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priest who writes from Sarreguemins1. To
the religious state Of tho French soldiers
and the zeal Of the clergy he bearss high
testimony. His words are
Here, as all along the frontier, the priests
show an extraordinary zeal the soldiars
are glad to receive medals. and scapulars.
Many go to confession some communi0ns
take place. All this is good, but does 1t
sufice9 I think not. Since the 18th of
sands of our soldiers, but no almoners-no
Mass ON Sunday-no religious organiza-
ton. During the last three weeks all
our Catholic soldiers have had time, were
means at hand; to be reconciled with God,
and then what soldiers would they not
have been, what officers, what an army I"
Another priest writes thus from Stras-
burg:
Our young Alsatians, obliged to depart
for the war, fulfil their religious duties, and
afterwards beg for the medal and scapular.
AS regards the soldiers passing through
here, 1 can vouch for the following facts
The priest is no more in the eyes of our
soldiers that bette m0ir of other days ON the
contrary, he is friend whom they respect,
whom they love. He is gladly received by
all they take pleasure in conversing with
him. Ofthose soldiers who were only pass
sing through here, many have come to
make their confessions; the first 4eemers
sought out their comrades and induced
them to do as they had done. These poor
soldiers, be it observed, arriving here un-
der tropical heat, were fatigued and ha-
raised, and they had to march the next
morning at four O'clock, yet in order to re-
ceive communion, it was necessary to be at
the church at three o'clock; yet they made
this act of self-denial: One of these brave
scapular. He seemed SO little fatigaed
that inquired whether he had marched
with the others. "Yes,n he replied, Hbnt I
take care of my feet, and avoid getting
tipsy." "But you are coming to confession
now before going to battle" ( Oh, as for
miles yesterday, to my parish, in order to
confess, and receive Communion, and re-
turned at midnight to MulhOuse to be at
my post" ] omit several edifying traits of
this kind. On speaking on religion to q
soldier of Danphiny, he drew out his chap
years he had been soldier he had never laid
them aside. All the soldiers have spoken
to were proud of showing their scapular
| and their medal. What difference be-
tween the soldiers of former days and those
of to-day in regard to their religious dis
pusAOiou. DclolcClOSiuS CulS lclCcF3 cannot
refrain from telling you what think about
the retreat of our little army from Italy.
! The Prussians, who, as you know, delight
! in the practice of cunning articles to gain
their end, were but too pleased to see us
commit that enormous blunder, of which
they will make the most with their Ca
tholic subjects. l suppose it was plot of
the Freemasons that induced the Govern
ment to decide on a measure SO impolitic.
What q shame for the Government to cause
! such an internal joy to our neighbors on
the other side of the Rhine. If all the Ca
tholic papers speak out on the matter per-
haps this terrible fault may be repaired.
During the present campaign, short as it
has been, many facts have come to light
showing that the French soldier, in the
camp or on the field of battle, is no longer
indifferent to religion. 1t must be admitted
that the experience of the military chap
lains, so few in number, is somewhat re-
stricted to the better specimens of the
French soIdiers-to those who seek than
out whilst for want of sufficient statgof
1 chaplains, the soldiers in garrison are Nor
the most part unvisited, and in the camps,
as we have already mentioned, there is no
opportunity for the soldiers even to hear
Mass on Sundays. But still, even with
these reservations, the evidence is suf
ficient to show a vast improvement in the
religious state of the French army to what
it was thirty years ago. The following is
one of the many Illustrations of the man ner
in which the war is reviving the religious
spirit in the soldiers of Catholic France.
A priest from the camp relates that he was
suddenly accosted the other day by young
non commissioned officer from Paris.
Monsieur PAbbe," cried the soldier, "
have not been to confession since my first
Communion. In this state cannot march
against the Prussians." He fell on his
knees on the dust of the high road. few
minutes afterwards he got up, his face IA
diant with joy: "Ah! if my mother" he
exclaimed, knew the happiness of her
son! Now l can die. Adieu, Monsieur
Fable, and q thousand thanks"
! COOKING FOR THE PRUssIAN ARMY
Forty thousand thalers down, which is
$50, 900, for the inventor of new sort of
sausage!.
| Mis- is the nremiur, latelr naid h,- tho