Chaplains often served in field hospitals, mobile medical facilities located near battlefields. These field hospitals provided immediate medical care for the wounded. This red silk stole belonged to an Italian chaplain who worked in the 9th Field Hospital during World War I. It has gold fringe trim, a star and the number nine showing he was part of that field hospital.
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The stole let everyone know the wearer was there to offer spiritual help. It allowed him to freely walk among the injured, many badly hurt, and perform last rites for those dying. Along with religious duties, chaplains wrote letters for soldiers who were too weak or unable to write, performing an essential role of keeping families connected with their loved ones during war.
Chaplains also cheered people up through talking, reading and prayer and helped traumatized soldiers cope with physical and mental pain. Having a caring clergyman visit could give hurt troops a sense of humanity in hospitals. Chaplains helped service members find renewed faith and purpose even facing death.
This stole reminds us of chaplains' selfless work - caring for souls as diligently as doctors cared for bodies - in one of World War I's most important yet overlooked places: the field hospital.
This collections spotlight is part of an initiative of The Center for Religion, Culture and the Great War, made possible through generous support from Lilly Endowment Inc.
