There, as everywhere, feverish preparation was going on—a tumultuous activity. Through the big town, the first regiment passed on their way to the firing line.
How the fine fellows were acclaimed, how they were embraced!
There were a thousand of us already, and we were the first to be called up. Half of us were priests, and our clerical garb attracted a lot of sympathy. The love of our country and the love of God so long separated were now as one. It is no longer time to scoff or to be indifferent to religion. People now wrung us by the hand, and came close up to us.
An officer came up to us and before that enormous assembly of men, said: "Gentlemen, I should like to embrace each one of you in the name of every mother in France.... If only you knew how they count on you, those women, and how they bless you for what you are going to be to their sons. We don't know the words that bring strength and healing, and we are ignorant of the prayers that solace the last agony ... but you...." And at the words, he wept, without attempting to hide his feelings. He already realised the immensity of the sacrifice, and the powerlessness of man to bring consolation to those struck down in their first manhood.
No, it was no longer "a joke" this time, and every one felt it and showed it by their respectful looks and manner.
The others, those millions of men on their way to the front, were starting for the unknown.
We, on the other hand, knew well what lay before us ... we should have to succour the wounded and throw wide the Gates of Heaven for them to enter in—we should have to dress their wounds and arouse courage in those crushed, by the burden too heavy for mere flesh and blood to bear.
Never had we felt such apostles ... never had our hearts dilated with such brotherly feeling.
II—CARRYING THE CROSS OF CHRIST TO THE BATTLEFIELDS
"Attention!"