Brave hearts at Christmas

By Anthony J. Mullen
Special to The CS&T

Whether in the squalor and dangers of Iraq or on the bleak German front during World War II, the servicemen and women of the United States have gone to face the threat of death for the sake of our peace.
In the midst of that chaos, many will pray, together or alone, on Christmas day again this year.
I want to share with you a letter from a soldier that I had the privilege to read recently.
It is from U.S. Army Private Joseph Boyle, stationed in Germany during the Second World War, to his family in Upper Darby, Pa.:
“All through the day, the knowledge of what day this was remained in the back of my mind. However, it seemed absurd for anyone to say ‘Merry Christmas’ here on a battlefront: for it is the birthday of the Prince of Peace and the world is at war. …
“Fred and I went to the eleven o’clock Mass. …
“Father Quinn had decided to use the local Church for Mass … The Church had two large holes in the roof, and there wasn’t a window left anywhere. The walls were scarred with shrapnel. It was pretty cold, for the day was quite cold. … While Mass was going on, artillery blasts happened quite frequently so that even during Mass one was reminded of war.”
How many of us would attend Christmas Mass at our parish with no heat, no windows, and holes in the roof? With bombs dropping nearby? When we become complacent about Mass, let us think of this example.
I hope other veterans will write to share their stories. The grace of just one well-attended Mass will stay with us for all eternity.
A blessed Christmas to you and your loved ones.

Anthony J. Mullen is the chairman of the Children of the Father Foundation.