The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1919-05-31


when words proved inadequate to con-
vey all that is in the heart. After he
had succeeded in controlling his emo
ton and in thanking all those who
had made his return so momentous
and joyous, Father Harrington then
launched out into a 'War talk that
for simplicity. earnestness, charm and
convincing sincerity could scarcely be
surpassed.
The speaker began by telling of his
farewell with Archbishop Ireland. Il
congratulate you" said the late pre-
late, 1T is a glorious chance to be-
come a martyr. Go forth to do all you
can for God and country The letter
from Archbishop Ireland to Father
Harrington proved, he said, pass
port to the clergy throughout France.
Home Folks.
The speaker then dwelt upon the
important part played by the home
folks in keeping up the courage and
spirit of the soldiers. He described
the signs of ruin, crime and desola-
ton apparent on every side in France.
When the soldiers saw all this around
them everywhere they vowed that
such horrors would never reach their
own people at home: this was the
most powerful inspiration that made
, the Americans dare and do wonders
OH the battlefield.
Father Harrington landed at st. Ma
zaire with his unit on October 81, 1917,
after escaping several submarines
that lay in wait for his vessel. The
unit at once went into intensive train
! ing in Napoleon's old artillery camp.
Father Harrington and Chaplain Far
| rell, of Boston, attended to the spir-
itual needs of about fourteen thou
sand men. Shortly before Christmas
an epidemic of spinal meningitis broke
! out which increased their work enOr-
mously. He described his first Christ
mas in France when he and Father
Farrell each said three Masses, heard
confessions for many hours near a
! little grOttO where the boys knelt in
/ the soft mud, and then told how near
! ly all the Catholic boys in the camp
received Holy Communion. American
and French soldiers mingled at the
/ Communion rail with German pris-
oners, nurses and others, showing the
unity OF our holy faith.
The great help and assistance re-
ceived through the efforts of the
! Knights Of Columbus, and especially
OF Dr. Buckley of st. Paul We're men
toned and praised in detail.
In Lorraine.
After Christmas the unit was sent
to the Lorraine sector. 1t seems that
by tacid agreement both French and
Germans were accustomed to go to
this quiet district for rest. BY an I'm.
written arrangement each side re
spected the other, and there was nc
fighting here. When the Americans
came up things began to happen. The
French demonstrated, claiming that
the enemy might attack them in re
taliation. The 151st answered: eve
came here to fight; we want to finish
this thing and go home" From that
|
Lorraine sector.
Lieutenant Harrington told num-
Der of interesting stories and Incl
dents Of tensest interest. For one
hundred and ten consecutive days he
was in the front trenches, attending
fourteen miles.
To Champagne.
From Lorraine to Champagne proved
q trying change. Father Harrington
gave vivid description of midnight
attack on this sector, telling how 6
surprise attack of the enemy was
foiled and thousands of prisoners cap
tured. The most noticeable thing
about the American soldiers in this
and in other battles, he said, was
their utter disregard for danger an(
their irrepressible cheerfulnesS
through all kinds of suffering. He
related how he and another chaplain
with a lieutenant between them, sa
in a. shell hole for several hours tt
escape an aerial attack. When ;
large fragment of shell dazed the lieu
tenant for a moment, he looked abou
and found the chaplains uninjured
Rising quickly he hurried away say
ing, this is no place for a lieutenan
, between two chaplains."
Where He Was "kilIed"
Father Harrington described thu
4 terrible battle at the Ourcq river OF
] August 8, 1918. This was the day OF
which it was thought that he hat
been killed. The sufferings of thu
men on that occasion he said were in
, describable, but their courage ant
/ buoyancy would not down.
The conflict during the st. Mihie
drive, the operations through Verdul
and up in the Argonne Forest wer
, detailed rapidly and with clear-cut i'm
, pressiveness. When the news of tn
= signing of the armistice was an
nounced, he said. there was no cheer
+ ing or hilarity, but the men simpl
stole away to get a much needle,
i, sleep.
f The chaplain then described tn
f quick results obtained when he al
: Dealed to DIR Puckley for athleti