The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1911-12-02
HOLY NAME SOCIETIES
To Be Formed in the Army-Father
Doyle Issues Letter to Catholic
Chaplains-Societies Can Be Used
For Many Purposes.

The Reverend A. P. Doyle, C. S. P,
of the Apostolic Mission House, Wash
ington, who is in charge of the Chap
lains in the Army, has inaugurated a
movement which will ultimately bring
great spiritual advantage to the en-
listed men in the Army His purpose
is to have the Chaplains establish in
their regiments, a Holy Name Society
and affiliate with it all the Catholic
soldiers in the regiments where there
are no Catholic Chaplains. The Holy
Name Society appeals to men; it's mar
tial spirit, it's annual parade, and it's
exhibitions of Catholic strength will
draw the Catholic soldiers into the
organization, and it will give them
what they sadly lack now, that sense
of roup-consciousness.
The Catholic soldier needs all the
assistance he can possibly get in reli-
gious matters from the Catholic body
at large. He is isolated very often
from his companions, and in regiments
where there are non-Catholic Chap
lains he rarely has a chance to prac-
tice his religion. He is, moreover, sub
jected to many vicious influences, and
it is not to be wondered at, that the
man who goes into the Army, in some
cases loses the little faith he pos
sessed. Out of about seventy-fve
thousand soldiers in the Army, prob
ably forty thousand are, or should be,
Catholics. There are some who say
that the proportion is higher. It is,
however, notable body of Catholic
men, and many of them are very devout
Catholics in spite of the way they are
neglected. There are Posts with many
Catholic soldiers, who receive little
or no attention from their local pas
tors, and all the time these local pas
tors would be received with open arms
by Post authorities. The Army officers
appreciate the services of the Catholic
priest and there is no bigotry among
them.
The letter sent by Father Doyle to
the Catholic Army Chaplains contains
the following paragraph: "The spe-
cial advantage of Holy Name Society
is it's elasticity-while it stands imme-
diately for reverence of Gods Holy
Name, it can be utilized for the Cath
olic soldier, and even for the non
Catholic soldier in all the avenues
that the Y M. c. A. are active. In
the first place, it gives nucleus
organization; then, again, you will find
that the authorities will cO-onerate
sympathetically and helpfully in fur
thering the organization Then again
you can, by such an organization, hold
your men around you, get them to the
Sacraments, and protect them from
other menaces besides profane swear
ing. shall be the more pleased il you
will take immediate steps to bring
about this organization, and to for
ward to me for register the names of
all whom you have gathered in. This
latter condition is necessary for the
indulgence. 1t will, moreover, con-
so1idate the organization, and in due
time, shall be able to get associate
members in regiments where there are
no Catholic Chaplains.
It see in this organization, the be-
ginning of a great big work for the
Catholic soldier, and IL the Chaplains
will cooperate with me earnestly and
aggressively, within a year we ought
to get many thousands enrolled.
Please advise me by return mail, what
your plans are for organization.