Page:The ways of war - Kettle - 1917.pdf/222

 (which I did not know!) were 'the right thing in the right place.'... I offered a prayer of thanks to the good God for having protected me against all dangers.

"The poor old priest ... Mass finished, turned round in front of the altar and said to us in a strangled voice: 'And now, valiant soldiers, ... go to victory!'"

Or they pray in the open.

"Imagine a very beautiful valley, planted with great trees all yellowing with autumn, horses tied to every trunk, huts of every kind, shape, and style, soldiers of all arms: the whole forming a picture of incomparable dignity.

"The altar was set up against two giant oaks. There were more than a thousand soldiers present, including the Staff, generals, colonels and commandants."

And this is how Cardinal Lucon celebrated his Christmas Mass in a cellar in bombarded Rheims—

"I shall never forget that Christmas night. The altar was supported on champagne-cases, and each person assisting had a champagne-case for a seat. There were present refugees who have nowhere else to sleep, citizens taking refuge from the shells, and at least 800 soldiers and officers of all grades. The hymns were sung by a group of fifty soldiers. They sang all our popular hymns.... It was very