Chapter LXXXVI: Letters of Sympathy

During these days of rest I devoted a large portion of every morning to writing letters of sympathy to relatives of those who had fallen in the recent attacks. I had many of these letters to write, and I always went to work with a heavy heart; but it was always very consoling to receive the wonderful replies that came. I quote from a few that I managed to keep, although the reader will learn later that I lost nearly all my possessions before the end of the campaign.

This one comes from Morningside Avenue, New York:

Reverend dear Father:

Your comforting letter has just been received. Father, words would be
useless to try to express what relief and consolation your message
brought, for naturally my heart ached, wondering whether my poor son
had an opportunity to offer up his repentance before God took him.

The cross is indeed a heavy one to bear, but with the knowledge
contained in your letter and the fact that his sacrifice was made for
so glorious a cause, I shall reconcile myself to the will of Almighty
God, and pray for the repose of his soul.

My daily prayers shall indeed be offered for you, Father, who brought
such happiness to my heart, and for your many soldier boys.

Very sincerely yours,

The next is from Frontenac Street, Montreal:

Reverend and dear Father:

Words fail to convey how soothing was the intelligence that previous
to his last attack my son had had the happiness of receiving our
dear Lord, and that after he had paid the “Supreme Sacrifice” he
had one of God’s representatives near him. In life he was devoted to
religion, in death he must assuredly be happy with God. But to us
who are left it has been a crushing blow, and especially to me, his
mother, to whom a kinder and more dutiful son never was given.

Our Lady of Sorrows is certainly the one to turn to in this hour
of trial, for she likewise gave up her son. So, like her, I shall
endeavor to carry my cross, but I fear it shall not be carried so
well.

And now, dear Father, allow me to extend to you my most sincere
thanks. You will always be remembered in the prayers of his sorrowing
mother.

The next is from Grimsary, England:

Dear Father Murdoch:

I should feel I was neglecting a great duty if I did not write a line
to thank you for your kindness in informing us of my dear brother’s
death. R. I. P. It was indeed a great consolation to know that he
received Holy Communion before going into battle, also to know that
he was buried in a cemetery. We shall be ever grateful to you for
your kindness and for your prayers.

With every best wish for your safety, I am,

Yours sincerely,

The next is from Gilford P. O. Co. Down, Ireland:

Dear Rev. Father:

It is with a sad heart I write to thank you for your consoling letter
to my mother concerning the death of my poor brother. Your letter
gives us all strength to bear our heavy burden of sorrow. It is hard
to think that he has really gone from us. But God’s will be done! We
all lift our hearts in thanksgiving to know that he was prepared to
die. He was a good boy, and his youngest sister will miss him. My
mother is in great sorrow at the loss of her only son. She has had
great trouble, as my father died when we were very young. But God
will give her strength to bear and persevere until we shall all meet
never to part.

Dear Rev. Father, I will close this letter now and I wish you to know
that all of us will never forget you in our prayers. And I earnestly
implore of God to reward you for all you have done for my poor
brother and for us, and that our Most Holy Mother will intercede for
your safety through this suffering you are enduring.

I am going to confession and Communion Sunday for your intentions.
Always remember that there are three hearts raised to God night and
morning imploring His blessings and mercy for you.

Thanking you again, Father, I wish to remain your grateful friend who
will never forget you.

This one from a non-Catholic:

Rev. B. J. Murdoch,

Dear Sir:

I received your very kind letter today. Thank you so much for
writing. Although I am not of the Catholic faith, I know just how
much he would value your services before going into battle.

God sends us a cross to bear, no matter what faith we own. I will
remember you and the other soldiers who are fighting in my prayers
just the same. I will write and tell his father of your kindness, and
ask him to thank you.

I forgot to say that I belong to the Church of England, but that does
not make any difference, for God hears all prayers. I shall pray for
you and your boys and teach our little girl to do the same.

Kindly pardon any mistakes, and believe me to remain very grateful to
you for your sympathy.

Yours sincerely,

These are but samples of letters from different countries that I received during the campaign. The people seemed most grateful to me for writing. True, the censor prevented me from saying much that I should like to have said; but always I was free to write what I had done for the lads in my ministry. Sometimes I have written many letters at a time, and for this reason the message sent was brief. I shall try to give the reader a sample of the simple letter that evoked such grateful replies:

Dear Mrs. ----

No doubt you have already received from the War Office the sad
news of your son’s death. I am writing these words to let you know
that just before the battle of ---- I gave all the soldiers of his
unit Holy Communion in a little shell-torn church on the Western
Front.--If I had anointed him I would add this, and if it were I
who had laid him to rest I would say--I buried him in a peaceful
military cemetery behind the lines, far from the sound of the guns.
This knowledge should give you some consolation in carrying the heavy
cross that God has sent you to bear.

I shall remember your son’s soul in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass,
and I shall ask Our Lady of Sorrows to pray for you that you may be
comforted.

Asking you to pray for my lads and for me, I am

Yours sincerely in Christ,
B. J. Murdoch,
R. C. Chaplain 16th. Can.