SIDELIGHTS ON THE WAR

New Zealand Tablet, 7 November 1918, Page 17

SIDELIGHTS ON THE WAR

GENERAL. The Holy Father has decreed that Catholic soldiers who have been mutilated in the war and are therefore unable to bend their knees or bow their heads when praying before the Blessed Sacrament, shall not for this reason be deprived of the indulgences which they could otherwise gain. Twenty-seven deacons were ordained priests in St. Patrick's Cathedral, New York, lately by the Right Rev. Thomas J. Walsh, Bishop of Trenton." They will take the places of priests who have become chaplains in the army and navy. Because of the war the young priests were ordained nine months ahead of the usual time. They had devoted some of their vacations and many spare hours to finish the four years' course in three. Sixty-six priests from the New York archdiocese have become chaplains in the army and navy, it was announced. The Archbishop of Chicago a little later ordained 20 priests to take the places of those called to chaplain service. A Catholic Armenian boy has fled from Persia and landed in Calcutta, He is admitted into a Protest-ant hostel and accepted as an apprentice in a firm. A few weeks ago (says the Catholic Herald of India) tho minister in charge told the boy to join the other boys at church and receive Communion. The boy replied he was a Catholic and that he could not comply with the minister's wishes. Thereupon he was peremptorily requested to pack and go, and informed that the firm would be no longer in need of his services. This is a fair instance of what some people mean by charity, war work, "the poor Armenian refugees," subscription lists. Pish ! The cult of the Madonna della Pace is growing fast in Italy. There has just been inaugurated at the Basilica of Santa Maggiore, Rome, the first what we may call "official" statue of our Lady of Peace. It is the work of the sculptor Galli, executed at the order of Benedict XV. It occupies a niche of the basilica on the same side as the famous Borghese chapel and almost opposite the sacristy. Our Lady is represented holding in one arm the Divine Babe ; her left hand is extended in a gesture which seems to arrest the war and invite fighting humanity to desist from the awful combat; and the Child holds in His tiny hands the symbolic branch of olive and beckons Peace back to the world. A large crowd including representatives of all the countries accredited to the Holy See was present at the inauguration of the statue, which was blessed and unveiled by the titular of the Basilica, Cardinal Vannutelli. . Some time ago Father Purcell, R.N., Catholic chaplain to 2nd Light Cruiser Squadron, visited St.

Dunstan s Hostel, London, and was so delighted with the work done for our blinded soldiers and sailors that he suggested to the Catholics of his squadron on his return that they might like to send an offering to the chapel of Our Lady and St. Dunstan, recently ' provided for the Catholic inmates. The squadron rose to the occason (says the Universe and nearly j£2o was collected for the erection of two stained-glass windows. These latter were unveiled and dedicated by Bishop Butt a few weeks ago. The windows are designed and executed by James S. Wills, and represent St. Sebastian, the soldiers’ patron, and St. Nicholas, the patron saint of seafaring men. The coloring and execution of the windows is remarkably fine. Besides Bishop Butt, there were present Fathers Hannifin, Nagel, Wigg, and Howell, Count and Countess Torre Diaz, Mr. and Mrs. Oldmeadow, and members of St. Dunstan's staff.

the 18 are engaged in war work. Eight sons, all of them six .feet or, more. tall, and the lightest one weighing 203 pounds, are in. military service, and the 10 daughters are v engaged in Red Cross and other kinds of war work. ; The brothers are. Major Michael J., who has been a surgeon in the regular army since the Spanish-American War; Timothy J., Daniel, Albert, Edward C, Thomas J., Cornelius T., and Richard W. Major Michael J. Murphy is in the medical department of the regulars, and is believed to be in France. Two other brothers also are believed to be in France. SOMEWHERE IN FRANCE. Somewhere in France my own dear love is lyin°-, Somewhere in France, beneath its sunny skies'; Mary, who carest for the dead and dying, Care thou for him, my love, who silent lies. He was my darling, he—Ah ! Mary, hear me; Thou too hast suffered, long years ago. Once in my dreams I saw his eyes of wonder Gaze into mine; I heard his whispered vow. Now in my dreams I hear the cannon thunder, I see the light of death upon his brow. Mary, whose eyes grew dim above thy darling, Plead for my loved Somewhere in France ! Violet Dare in the Pk'ot. THE POLISH FLAG. A notable ceremony took place recently on the French Front, when the National flag conferred on the first regiment of Polish Chasseurs, which is fighting with the Allies, was solemnly presented. An altar of verdure and branches was erected on a piece of ground near the front and in presence of the civil and military authorities, Polish and Allied, the Mass was celebrated by a Polish military chaplain, who, during the Mass, blessed the flag, held" by a young Capt. of the Polish army. This ceremony was most impressive. The chaplain advanced to the troops and announced the formula of the oath of fidelity to the country which all the officers and soldiers must swear. It is" as follows : "I swear before God, united in the Holy Trinity, fidelity to my country, I swear that I am ready to give my life for the salvation of the holy cause, to defend my standard to the last drop of my blood', to be faithful to discipline and obedience to "my chiefs, and that in all my acts I will remain true to the principles of honor of the Polish Army. Amen." All the soldiers took the oath with the right hand raised. Then taking the flag from the hands of the chaplain, ivions. Dmowski, President of the Polish Committee representing the Nation, placed it in the hands of General Gourand with deep emotion. He affirmed his profound gratitude to the French and Allied Governments, certain that in the hands of such a chief, who per sonified all the virtues of the noble French Army, it would lead to victory. Our General, addressing the Colonel of the Polish regiment, said, as he placed the flag in his hands: "I remit von this Po'ish flag with confidence at the hour when the cannon thunders. The great military virtues are courage, constant discipline, and the will "to conquer. This will is double with you' for the noble cause for which vou fight with France and the. Allies is that of the independence of the Nations and at the same time of your own resurrection." Surrounded by its guard of honor the flag then defiled at the head of the regiment, its silver eagle, on an amaranthe colored ground, flipping proudly, while the Polish military fanfare plaved the "Jesse Pols kanie Zginela," the national Polish hymn. The Poles may wear the white eagle on casoue'and epaulette. It has one head, for. as they proudly say, it is not a monster.