The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1918-06-22

ing to me a beautiful Catholic COM
munion service, held in a Y. M. C. A..
hut, by a Catholic chaplain, and at
tended by large number of men. In
the center of this mass of khaki-clad
men was single French soldier, CIV
Ing notable touch of color to the
scene. That particular service, said
the chaplain, was one of the most i'm
pressive he had ever attended. 1t was
followed by Jewish service, led by
a Jewish private, and then, later, by
the Protestant meeting.
Speaking of the use of the sacra.
ments in France, the testimony is uni
form that the men like to attend COM
munion. Not all of them who do so
have been members of churches at
home. This does not seem to disturb
the chaplains. Chaplain Moody, son
OF the great evangelist, told me that
he gave the invitation to the sacra-
ment without any conditions, except
desire to honor Christ and seek his
help. An Episcopal chaplain, when
asked him if he invited Episco-
palians to his largely-attended COM
munlon services, replied, in a sur.
prised tone: of course; this is not
an Episcopal church; and we have no
time for denominational distinctions
i'll this war" l found in Great Britain
|
churches that the holy communion
should be provided oftener than has
been their usage. even weekly.
J The X. of C.'s Mission.
With the grave problem of shipping
overshadowing all things on this side,
it is natural that the ree-thinking
Americans should challenge the right
OF every man or organization that
comes from the states to cargo room
on the boats. 1t was at first decreed
by the government that only the Y. nj.
G. A. and the Red Cross were neces-
sary. The Salvation Army has won
for itself at the front and in the hearts
OF the army,a place that has made
everybody forget regulations; though
it still might be possible to combine
the Salvation Army work with the
'Y' huts, provided all the personnel
and spirit and methods, yes, and garb,.
OF the lassies is retained. Doughnuts
and pies could protitably be an adj
junct of every "Y" hut and the number
OF Salvationists largely increased.
Even before the army came to
France, it was seen that special pro-
vision would have to be made for the
spiritual needs of the Roman Catholic
soldiers. While any Protestant chap
lain may minister to all Protestant
| troops, there are needs of the Catholic
boys which cannot be met except by
their own priests. 1t is essential that
Catholics go to confession and mass,
and that those MORALLY stricken re-
ceive the last rites of the church.
Since the apportionment chaplaincies
| among the various religious bodies is
on basis of their proportion of the
| population, it became necessary to
provide for the Catholics in some
other way.
Here the Knights of Columbus
! stepped into the breach, and is send
| ing to France a large number of vol
unteer chaplains, ordained priests.
These men have no rank and are
maintained at the charges of the
Knights of Columbus, and they also
have no official regimental duties, but
they are free to go among the men at
| all proper times and in action are per-
mitted to go to the front. Some of
them have been decorated for bravery,
and I have personal knowledge of the
magnificent service of one K. Of G.
chaplain during notable fight. AS
to the opening of K. of G. huts, that
is project only in it's beginning over
here, and cannot speak of it.
Various fraternal orders have plans
for the opening of centers with the
army, but that, I am informed, will
not be permitted. Some contemplate
the creation Of Paris headquarters for
the soldiers; but since the army is
not permitted to go to Paris, this also
may be ruled out as non.essential.
For so important is the conservation
of every ounce of food and every par
ticle Of manpower that the American
government is really sending home
from France persons who came over
here earlier in the war in behalf of
various well-intentioned projects.
chapiains and Their Leader.
This new American army displays
a solicitude for the morals and spir.
itual welfare of the men that is little
short of amazing. The fact is but one
of many indications that the national
leaders really understand that the ul-
innate issues Of the war are spiritual