Letters from a soldier-priest

One of the books I've been reading, bit by bit, is by Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, SJ - one of my favorite Jesuits from history. He was in the first world war, serving France as an 'enlisted' soldier on the front line from Nieport to Rechesy. The book's full title is 'The Making of a Mind, Letters from a soldier-priest [1914-1919]', and it is now out of print.

There are two things about this book that attracted me to it. My brother-in-law is a chaplain in the Air Force, and currently on active duty somewhere in the Middle East (or, Southwest Asia as he likes to call it). Having a family member in active duty brings me closer to that world. I pay closer attention to the detail of the war-news, and his emails give me a more intimate picture of what's going on there. So, that led me to this work of Teilhard's; I knew from earlier works that he had spent time in the war, so this chaplaincy-connection from past to present sparked my curiosity.

The other aspect of this book that attracted me to it is that it is essentially a collection of letters Teilhard wrote from the front lines back to his cousin, Marguerite Teilhard. Who writes letters these days? We email, we blog, we send text messages. People can reach me most any time, any place, via my mobile phone, which I can also use for reading and sending email. But because it's so easy and quick to communicate those ways, perhaps we also lose some intimacy, some depth in the communication? My brother-in-law the chaplain sends us all an email now and then, to let us know how he's doing and some of the highlights he can share about his work. Because he is so far away and is restricted in his time and detail of what he can share, his emails seem to have more authenticity, more genuineness. They remind me of the letters Teilhard wrote to his cousin - little capsules of the important thoughts, feelings and happenings that need to be written down and communicated.

So for the first quote from the book, here's one that chaplains will appreciate, and which shows a glimpse, I think, of someone holding true to their calling:

[Marest, Oise] 9th February 1915

... I feel increasingly happy at having been posted to a regiment in which, as I told you, I am the only priest, and where there is a large number of men who, when the time comes, will turn to me for help. I hope really to have found my right place. ...

Goodbye. I pray for you, and I ask our Lord to associate our activities, however far from one another they may seem, so that they may 'render' more to his service.

Comments

[m.a.]

I first read Teilhard probably in the 1960's. I didn't really understand all of his theology but I understood what he was trying to do with his background of science and religion.

I was most impressed by his beautiful "Mass on the World" which I have gone back to several times over the years. It remains one of my favorite spiritual readings.

I was happy to hear that someone else appreciates him...

[Steve Bogner]

Hi m.a. - Thanks for commenting. I do appreciate Teilhard; in fact, I have a whole category for him on my blog :)

[m.a.]

Oh... I missed that. I just happened on your blog this evening as I was going through some of my blog "favorites". Looks like I will have to immerse myself for awhile in your Teilhard section! :)

[Jeff]

Steve,

Funny that you should mention this book! As a general rule of thumb, I take great interest in World War I memoirs, and I had happend to read a book about Chardin a few months back, about his theology and his participation in the discovery of Peking Man.

I considered the idea of reading some of Chardin's works, and I ran across this particular book in the local public library. The man is deep... You know, I think I like reading about him more than I actually like reading him directly. His writing is a little too dense and metaphysical for me. Kudos to you to be willing to take it on and tackle it!

[Steve Bogner]

Jeff, yes I agree that some of his writing is kind of deep, or 'out there'. It can be tough. But the letters in this book are very down to earth, personal and intimate. If you like history, you'll probably enjoy the book.