The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1915-06-12
Retreats HELD N
WAR TRENCHES

Father Remeneau, a French Jesuit
who is German prisoner, writes as
follows concerning the religious re-
vival evident as result of the war:
There are masses from 4:30 to 8
every morning, and about 400 Com
munions daily. At 1880 there is mass
with singing. The chapel is full; it
holds about 1000 people. At the TO-
sary is recited and at $3.50 right pray
ers are said, the chapel being full on
each occasion. Devotion to our Lady
is general; our dear prisoners pray to
her all day. Grace falls in abundance
on ground that is marvelously pre-
pared and it produces wonderful
fruits. The novena of the Immaculate
Conception was admirably celebrated;
we had three sermons a day, the
chapel full to overlooking. On De-
cember more than 200 new converts
approached the sacrements, and
there were altogether 1900 Commu.
mons. We pray as one prays at
Lourdes, with extraordinary fervor,
There is even among the prisoners a
real feeling of apostleship; they are
eager to hear the word of God and to
pray. The chapel being too small
they crowd at the doors, at the win
dows; even if 1t held 10000 persons
it would be filled every day. .
l wish you could hear these thousands
of mems voices answer the rosary and
sing Ave Maria
Il have been here six months, and
every day have the joy of contribu-
ing to bring back souls to God. +.
| bless God for my captivity. We are
kept very busy preparing our sermons,
hearing confessions, instructing and
comforting our men. There is an ex-
traordinary interest in being called
upon to put Catholic teaching within
reach of these mems minds; they re-
fleet, discuss, and question us. How
many Christians with solid convic-
tions will be given back to France
through their captivity! A
Redemptorist missionary alone has
made 800 conversions, and when we
remember that it is the same in other
camps organized like ours, what a
rich harvest is being stored up for
heaven! At Christmas we
had LOO Communions; the next day,
800; on January 1, 1,OOO."
The seeds of this glorious harvest
Of souls were sometimes sown on the
lire Of fire, where danger and death
speak to the most Indifferent and
careless souls language to which
they seldom are deaf. And the work
continues day after day. Never have
the French priests been so absorbed
by their ministry as during the last
eight months. Retreats are at pres
ent being preached where we should
hardly expect them: in the trenches!
THE result" writes seminarist, sis
that we find among our men many
more believers than we thought pos
sible. Many of them, who were ig~
norant or Indifferent, ask me ques-
tions on religious matters and open
ly express the joy they feel on full
filling their Easter duties. Their
faith was asleep, not dead; it has re-
vived under the pressure of suffering
and danger. Many have evidently
Christian homes, and the thought of
their loved ones has helped to lead
them to Lod. How happy my mother
and wife will be to hear that l have
fulfilled my Easter duties,' is an ex.
clamation that I have heard over and
over again from our converts. 1t
speaks volumes for the home in.
fluence of the women of France"