Memorial Day: A Soldier's Story

The Blessed Virgin is so good!

Posted on May 23, 2016 by Catholicism Pure & Simple

During World War One, on September 14th, in Noyon, France, a young corporal lay dying among wounded comrades. The officers had signaled to me that the poor fellow was lying in a field. When I got near him, leaning down, I said, “It’s me!”

“Who are you?” he asked. I realized that the man’s head was bleeding, his forehead was split open and his eyes had been gouged out. “I’m the chaplain,” I said, very moved, “I am here at your side!”

“Oh, Mr. Chaplain, the Blessed Virgin is so good!” Then he raised his right arm that was holding a Rosary and exclaimed: “All night long, I have been asking her to send a priest this way. I am so glad you’re here!”

He was shaking with fever. I took him to a nearby farm and dressed his wounds. He was beaming with happiness. His leg had been broken in the attack. A German passing by had given him a drink; another, at close range, shot him three times, the last bullet opening his forehead.

During his night of agony every time I bent over him, this young man kept saying: “Hail Mary …” and kept repeating: “How glad I am, Mr. Chaplain! The Holy Virgin is so good to have brought you here to me!”

He died three days later with a smile on his face.

Father Paul Doncoeur, military chaplain

(From mariedenazareth.com)