Posted on 10/19/2011 8:01:41 AM PDT by marshmallow
The photo above usually would be very newsworthy: a priest, one of the 15 that say a weekly or monthly Traditional Latin Mass for the souls of our Purgatorial Society, saying a Requiem Mass for the souls enrolled in the Society.
What makes this not only newsworthy, but extraordinary, is that this Traditional Latin Mass is being said in Afghanistan.
The following is from the priest in the photo, Rev. Father David Smith RAChD [Royal Army Chaplains' Department]:
"Here are a couple of pictures that were taken of me offering the Forma-Extraordinaria in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. As you can see, it's a very homely little chapel that we share with all denominations.
"When I go out to visit the troops on the ground, I usually have to set up a temporary altar, often outdoors. But wherever the Mass is offered, it brings countless blessings and graces to the whole Church, including the Holy Souls in Purgatory.
"I offer the EF almost every day, always with a memento for the Rorate Caeli Purgatorial Society Holy Souls. On Fridays, where permitted, I offer the daily Requiem Mass for the intentions of the Rorate Purgatorial Society.
"Please ask your readers to remember all our troops serving in Afghanistan in their prayers. I've also attached a picture of me with some of my soldiers, taken during a pastoral visit to their remote location.
"They are busy opening some welfare parcels sent in by well-wishers back home in the UK. It makes such a difference to morale when this happens."
Awesome, Bring the Extraordinary Mass back worldwide! God Bless our troops and our Church.
They probably have NO idea how this effects them, and anyone who sees this.
I know a humble older gentleman who during the Korean conflict, peered through a small tear in a tent wall to see a bunch of combat-exhausted men kneeling in inches of cold mud before an altar, atop it a monstrance possessing the Jesus in the Eucharist. He recognized Jesus Christ right there in their presence, in his presence. He was astonished with their devotion. He heart changed right there and he converted.
He examples and spreads Catholicism 365 days a year without let up.
I love these chaplain threads.
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The (Catholic) Church's Noblest at Ground Zero
More men asking about becoming military chaplains
Catholic Caucus: Fr. Emil Kapaun: The Good Thief
Catholic Military Chaplains: America's Forgotten Heroes (Ecumenical)
Fr. Emil Kapaun Beatification Cause Heads to Rome [US Army Chaplain]
Two US Soldier Priests
Chaplain Groups Ask Military to Create Religious Liberty Protections
Australian Padre helps deployed soldiers tackle life challenges (Former SAS soldier turns chaplain)
Army says chaplain is first killed in action since 1970
Army Chaplain Dies in Afghanastan
With God in Iraq: A Day in the Life of a Military Chaplain
Soldier's Death Led Catholic Priest to Become Chaplain
Mass at National Shrine to honor Servant of God and heroic Navy chaplain
Prison chaplain remembers ("Behind the Walls with the Man Behind the Stole")
"Thanks God... and Thanks Mom" (Senate chaplain recalls his mom's amazing last day on earth)
Priest a wartime legend (Most decorated chaplain in Canadian army history dies at 106)
Catholic Navy chaplain shares story of Iraqi conversion (from 12/04/07)
Beautiful! Awesome!
The Traditional Latin Mass in Afghanistan, but we can’t get one in my diocese. :-(
Absolutely awesome. And, he’s one of the priests saying TLMs for the Rorate Caeli Purgatorial Society. God bless him, and the troops he works with.
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