The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1919-05-17

When the letters from the soldiers
began to appear in the daily papers
John and George were attracted by
the names signed TO them and began
to read them. Uncle Bob was always
ready to explain whatever they could
not understand. The boys had made a
list OF all the soldiers from their town
and were anXiously waiting for them
to come home so they could hear the
stories from their own lips. What
wonderful tales were waiting for
them. The bakers boy who had re-
turned mad told them many interest
ing facts. He had fought and was
among the first to be sent home. Then,
too, they had read how Jack Spronge
was ordered one night 10 go out in the
darkness OF No Mans Land, and there
he was found in the early morning
lying wounded. Others they had
heard would not come home for a
long time, as it was necessary to keep
part Of the army there to make sure
of peace.
One evening while they were talk
ing of the soldiers who were to return.
Uncle Bob asked how many came
back, and when they answered, he
asked how many were wounded or
were still in the army in France.
These questions were promptly an
swered, and Uncle Bob saw where the
reading and interest in the letters
which he so often encouraged them to
read-Was presenting an opportunity
/ for him TO explain an article of their
! faith in language which they could I'M
! derstand readily.
Well, boys said Uncle Bob, some
! Of the boys have returned home. Those
are the ones who fought and won.
| Others, you say, are in hospitals
| wounded. They fought, but the enemy
| succeeded in injuring them. Others
are still in the army fighting in some
way. Is that not what you said?''
Yes, Uncle Bob" said John, some
! have been up in the trenches and We're
never hurt. They fought and found it
i pretty hard There are many whom
we know in the hospital. The boy who
p, worked in the butcher shop had his
leg shot Off
Now, boys, think of all the people
| who are CathOlics." said Uncle Bob
changing the subject, but continuing
in the same strain of thought. All
who are now living and all who ever
lived. Think Of them as a great army
| lighting for God. There are some who
fought the enemy and returned home
without injury. Others fought but
killed And now there are many
fighting the enemy. You know who
the enemy is, don't YOU"
You mean the Germans, Uncle
BOb?' put in George.
oh. no; the devil is Gods enemy
too" corrected John.
You are right, John. The devil is
the enemy Some of that great army
are still fighting the devil-like yor
| and l. And yet, those who did fgh
and returned home safely; those WHO
were wounded; and those still fighting
all belong to the great army O.
! C0G1SL. lney were DdpJlZeu anu nave
the sign of Christ on their souls
. Heaven is our real home and those
:! who have returned to Heaven withOu
| being injured by the devil-withou
sin on their souls-are called saints
Those who were wounded by sin are
in PurgatOry-Where the wound made
by sin is being healed. And then those
who are still fighting on earth-tryins
to gain the victory over the devil. Tel
me, then, what you learned in you
Catechism by the Communion o
Saints?'"
The Communion OF Saints, saiC
, John, means that the saints il
Heaven, the souls in purgatory, ant
, the faithful on earth are united will
one another in Christ as members o
one body
That is right-picture them as on,
, big army, fighting for God under tn
} | leadership Of Gods commanders.