When I joined the FCA in 1972 we were all asked what our religion was. Perhaps, being true to the adage “there are no atheists in the trenches”, I declared “Roman Catholic” and had “RC” marked against my name. I suppose one would have wished to have the correct Padre show up when you were dying of your wounds. I think the only alternate designation available may have been “OD” for “Other Denomination”, but it may have been more inclusive. The US army now allows “Atheist/Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster” dog tags. This log contains some rambling memories and photos on a religious theme.
Earlier times, simpler times.
The photos below are probably from a Corpus Christi parade and were taken at Ballybrack Church of Sts Alphonsus and Columba. Jack Haughton is the officer commanding the parade, and note the rank of “one-star corporal” (or was it Lance Corporal?) on Mick Reid. My dad tells me that one of the guys holding the canopy was a judge – how’s that for separation!
Ballybrack Church
Jack Haughton and guard of honour
Looks like it’s a slow march
The next photo is at Sallynoggin Church and must be after 1955 as my dad, J O O’Toole is leading the left rank, the parade is commanded by Lt Ryan.
Sallynoggin Church – note rank of Corporal on right
Sunday Observation
On annual camp and overnights we were paraded to Mass on Sunday. It was business as usual with the battalion paraded on the square, the order for other denominations to fall out was given and a small number of soldiers of the reformed tradition would join John Goode and march off, although we all stepped off with the left foot! The remainder would march out the gate, down the town, and arrive at the church where those who were not practising could remain outside for the duration of Mass. There was always a smaller number of non-observers on rainy days. I can understand that the discipline of a Sunday morning parade would be useful especially on camp, but we even went to Mass on overnight exercises back then (cf. my Glenmalure post).
Potential NCO course
On my POTS course name tags were placed on our beds with our religious denominations listed. It was then that I noticed that one could be “OD”. In an attempt to avoid Sunday morning parade John Curtis declared himself leader of the “Free Curtisian” church. Their main tenet was you could do whatever you liked in life, but would be saved in the end. Unfortunately they were not officially recognised and those of us who joined were still paraded to Mass.
Founder and leader of the Free Curtisians
Uniform
We were told we could wear our uniform when on duty, on the way to and from parade, and to attend religious services. The latter, it was explained, meant that soldiers could be married or attend weddings in dress uniform as this occurred at a religious ceremony. I note how times have changed since. At least one member of the battalion would don his uniform every Sunday and march from his home to Mass in Dun Laoghaire. No names, no pack drill, but I also recall him directing traffic at the top of Marine Road.
We did have a recruit on camp one year whose parents called down to Waterford and asked that he be allowed to accompany them, in uniform, to the theatre. Permission was granted and I was on duty that night as he left looking like a sack of potatoes tied in the middle with string, although I am sure his parents beamed with joy as they took their seats.
Fr Breslin (The Bres)
Anyone who was ever stationed in Cathal Brugha barracks will remember Fr Breslin, or “the Bres”. He was chaplain there and as far as I can make out did a great job and was very approachable and helpful. However like many residents of barracks he may have begun to drink a little too much. We had a Mass in Dun Laoghaire for deceased members of the battalion and we marched with a colour party to the church on Marine Road. Fr Breslin was the celebrant and during the homily be focussed on the role of soldiers in scripture. He told us how the only words in the Mass from a non-religious, are the words of a soldier – “Lord I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof…” spoken by the centurion. However Fr Breslin then went on to say how in the Gospels, Jesus was asked had he any words specifically for soldiers (they would have been Romans and supplementing their pay by extortion etc). Jesus addressed them and said “Be content with your wages”. The Bres then stated that he had always suspected Jesus was a Charlie Haughey plant! After some uncomfortable shuffling in the seats Mass continued un-eventfully. * It seems The Bres was mistaken and it was in fact John the Baptist who spoke to the soldiers (Luke 3:14)