Did you know that the Confederacy's first military chaplain was a Jesuit priest, Fr. Darius Hubert? I didn't until recently, thanks to Katherine Jeffrey's excellent biography, First Chaplain Of The Confederacy. Hubert served with the Army of Northern Virginia throughout the war and was present at the major battles in the eastern theater as well as, curiously, seeing chaplaincy aboard the ironclad Merrimac.
He was known for outstanding pastoral devotion to the men he served and rose above denominational differences to work alongside protestant chaplains as "brothers in Christ." A remarkable man who bravely followed the call of God regardless of danger to himself, whether on the battlefield or in the hospital wards of those dying with Yellow Fever.
Hubert was a believer in the Cause but graciously so, urging reconciliation and healing after the conflict. He carried a Yankee bullet on his person, which had failed to kill him, as a sign of God's providence and protection. He died in 1893 at the age of 70.
We need more priests like him.
God bless,
LSP
12 comments:
Regardless of their cause, I always admire men and women who walk the walk.
I think military Combat Chaplains have a special place in Heaven. I've heard heroic stories about the Chaplains in all services, and they're inspiring.
Four Chaplains.
WWII, on a troop ship, mid-Atlantic, torpedoed at night.
" As life jackets were passed out to the men, the supply ran out before each man had one. The chaplains removed their own life jackets and gave them to others."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_Chaplains
Ed, I had no idea. What a faithful man.
Right on, WSF. Mind you, some causes are very wicked... I don't see the Confederacy in that light. Hubert was a holy priest, imo.
Totally agree, drjim. With hindsight, always 20/20, I should've gone into that line myself. Maybe I dodged a bullet :)
In other news, the remains of Father Emil Kapaun, CPT, U.S. Army, who died in a POW camp during Korean war, was posthumously awarded the MOH and is up for Sainthood, have been identified.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emil_Kapaun
He dodged the bullet too, LSP, but they got him anyway. That's the discipline.....
I suppose y'all have heard of Fr. John Bannon SJ; chaplain, artillery man, ambassador.
He was eventually sent to the Holy See at request of President Jefferson Davis; then later to Ireland.
http://www.civilwarstlouis.com/History/fatherbannon.htm
The Catholic Church was one of the biggest slave holders in southern society before the Civil War. Lots of times they bought slaves to get them away from abusive masters who would beat them or, if they were women, sexually abuse them.
And since most southern states had laws against manumission once you owned the slaves you were stuck with them.
Then again.......Jesuits!
A great Saint, WWW.
I didn't know, Anon, though I'd hear the name. Thanks for that.
Infidel, all this is true!
Maybe the J's need to be dissolved again?
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