We once again resume Fr Willie’s narrative of the events at the Battle of Passchendaele. This is his account of the events of August 5, 1917. In a particular way, we see Fr Willie’s tenderness as he describes his tears for the fallen soldiers, as well as his confidence in God’s providence and protection. We also see his incredible sense of fun and adventure, though perhaps we cannot all identify …
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August 5, 2022
Today is the feast of St John Vianney. Fr Willie had a great devotion to him and visited Ars in 1907. From O’Rahilly’s biography: In spite of missing a train, and after an adventurous journey on a very primitive steam-tram, he found himself in the spot hallowed by the Curé of Ars. Fr. Doyle insisted on seeing everything: the room in which the saint died, the half-burnt curtains said to …
August 4, 2022
Four Dangers to be Feared after a Retreat: 1 . Dissipation: There, it is over; amuse yourself. 2. Toning Down: Too much, too many, too hard, too often, too etc. 3. Putting Off: Wait a little, rest yourself, take your time. 4. Cowardice: You’ll never do it; you’re no good; it will be the same old story. And Four Remedies: 1. Presence of God: No, it is not over, it …
August 3, 2022
We have no more reports from Fr Willie until August 5th, and we shall take up his narrative once again on that date. What we do know about these days is that Fr Willie and his men had a few days rest before facing the trauma of battle once again. This might be an appropriate place to give the following excerpt from O’Rahilly’s biography which includes an excerpt of a …
August 2, 2022
We continue today with Fr Willie’s narrative of events in the days leading up to his death. Today’s account is somewhat shorter than that of other days. Even if the events of this day are less dramatic than what is to come, we can still glimpse some of the suffering Fr Willie and the men had to endure, as well as the cheerful spirit with which he accepted it. Morning …
August 1, 2022
My poor orderly has nearly emptied the well, of course leaving the six dead Germans behind, in his efforts to make enough tea. COMMENT: Fr Willie suffered many inconveniences because of his orderly in the trenches. On this occasion, he is suggesting that the orderly made tea from water in which 6 dead Germans were to be found. He may have been exaggerating a little, but perhaps not too much. …
July 31, 2022
We continue Fr Willie’s account of July 31, 1917 directly after he left off yesterday. Again what is most noticeable is his good humour and cheerfulness, even in the midst of this awful war. It was 1.30 a.m. when our first halting place was reached, and as we march again at three, little time was wasted getting to sleep. It was the morning of July 31st, the Feast of St. …
July 31, 2022
I long to get back to my little room at night, to calm and quiet, and yet I dread it, for He is often so loving there. I feel He is near because I cannot go to Him in the Tabernacle. It is such a helpless feeling to be tossed about as it were on the waves of love, to feel the ardent, burning love of His heart, to know …
July 30, 2022
Fr Willie describes the events of July 30, 1917: For the past week we have been moving steadily up to the Front once more to face the hardships and horrors of another big push, which report says is to be the biggest effort since the War began. The blood-stained Ypres battle field is to be the centre of the fight, with our left wing running down to the Belgian coast …
July 30, 2022
On August 12 1917 Fr Willie sent his last “budget” home to his father. It was a long account of his involvement in the early stages of the Battle of Passchendaele. 4 days later he was hit by a German shell while rescuing 2 wounded soldiers and was killed instantly. His account of the battle commences on July 30 and we shall follow his account in his own words each …
July 29, 2022