Mass honors service of chaplains from World War II through today

Published: 2004-07-15

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- The Catholic military chaplain is a priest who lives out a "vocation within a vocation," said Archbishop Edwin F. O'Brien of the U.S. Archdiocese for the Military Services during a Mass of thanksgiving for the contributions and sacrifices of chaplains from World War II through today. "No priest lives more in the midst of his people than the military chaplain," said Archbishop O'Brien in his homily June 27 at St. Patrick's Church in Washington. "As chaplain, he embraces every hardship and helps them find God." Concelebrating the Mass were Auxiliary Bishops Joseph J. Madera and Francis X. Roque of the military archdiocese; Msgr. Peter Vaghi, pastor of St. Patrick's; and military chaplains and several archdiocesan priests. Also in attendance were District of Columbia Mayor Anthony Williams; Gen. Alexander Haig Jr., the former NATO commander and U.S. secretary of state; and a number of war veterans.

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