The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1918-08-31
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
NEWS FROM FORT SHERIDAN.
FIT. Sheridan. ILL.,, August ".

FIT. Sheridan, ILL.,, August 27.
To the Editor: Fort Sheridan had
an instance of pure Catholicism during
| the past week that has been the talk of
| the camp for some time since On
last Sunday battalion of the students
in training were on the rifle range.
Because an additional Mass for the
! battalion on hike had been arranged,
the Knights of Columbus secretary
was unable to see to it that these
boys received like accommodation.
A number asked to be excused from
duties on the range in order that they
might attend Mass, but this was
| against the army regulation, and con-
sequentIy, they were refused. A few
got their heads together and passed
the word around that the Catholics
should COngregate at the first rest
period Then they all knelt down and
under the leadership of a youngster
from Springhill College said the Ros-
airy. There were hundreds of Onlook-
ers not of our faith, and the impression
excited by this devout and open act of
piety was very lasting.
The Knights of Columbus through
its chaplain. Father Berg, who has ded-
icated himself to the spiritual care of
the boys here, have been able to give
the boys every reasonable opportunity
for the practice of their religion. On
the. Last two Sundays battalions have
been encamped about twelve miles
from here while On hikes. Not content
with looking after the boys in the post.
Father Berg and Rev. Major Vattman
have arranged for these men also.
Through the generous assistance of
the Chaplains' Aid Association. it was
possible to have Masses celebrated
away from the fort. A large number
of nOn-CathOlic officers and men con-
gregated to watch the Catholic serv-
ice Some were deeply interested,
some assumed an air of superiority,
all were welcome. And some were
deeply gratifed when the commandant
of the regiment came in, knelt, blessed
himself, and led the boys in prayer.
A very incomplete religious census
taken at Mass by the Knights of Co
lumbus tend to the belief that over
one thousand in the students army
training corps are Of our faith. Eigh-
teen Catholic colleges are represented,
and no finer group of boys can be
found anywhere. To know them and
to compare them with the Catholic
men of the U. S. army is in itself con-
elusive proof that our Catholic col
leges are performing work the value
of which can scarcely be expressed in
words
Fort Sheridan was given one of the
treats of the year when the Reverend
P. F. O'Brien, of ST. Thomas College,
st. Paul, Mimi, delivered a lecture
during the past week. 1t was the
| first time that a Catholic priest had
addressed many of these representa-
tiVes of three hundred and thirty col
leges of various denominations
Father O'Brien rose to the occasion
with an eloquent talk teeming with
patriotism of the unadulterated brand
and voiced in choice diction. No hap.
pier event in our opinion has yet oc-
Cured here.
We are happy to say that the new
Knights of Columbus building will
| probably be dedicated September Is,
and will be open for use before that
date. An exceptional program is card
ed for September in the building.
George O'Connell, the great Irish
| tenor, will be on the program.
There are none in this post more
thankful that the Knights of Column.
| bus are operating here than those who
are or have been sick in the hospital
| Their most minute needs are daily
tended by the Knights of Columbus
chaplain, and twice a week big pro
gram is arranged.
One hundred fifty thousand sheets
of paper were distributed here dur
ing the first month of the student
| camp. This number is far excelled
by national army camps, but is a rec
| ord for a place in which accommo
! dations are as limited as ours. The
| S. A. T. c. recreation tent has been q
| boon to the students, and our patron
age at the post headquarters steadily
increases. The new building will I'm
questionably be the most popular hang
out of the regular post.
/ MATTDICE 9 CIIEEIJv