Worshipping
Introductory Essay
Awaiting the end of the war
Even before the Second World War ended, the Canadian Council of Churches had prepared an order of service that could be used to celebrate the occasion, whenever it came.
"Yours in Christian service"
Religion was extremely important in First World War Canada, and most families would have been delighted to receive a letter like this, indicating that Gunner Percy D. Wilson of Toronto had attended a church service convened by the YMCA and wanted "to become a more loyal follower of Christ."
Raising funds for Sunday School
The Sunday School Fund of the Methodist Church in Canada relied on the annual Rally Day service as its only source of funds. The program for 1916 referred to the difficulty of raising money for traditional causes when there was so much pressure to donate to the war effort.
"In Memory of Those Sons of the Empire"
Veterans in Morden, Manitoba, organized an annual service "In Memory of Those Sons of the Empire Who Gave Their Lives for Their King and Country in Great War and Other Campaigns."
Decoration Day in Manitoba
The Decoration Day service in Manitou, Manitoba, had been started by the local branch of the Great War Veterans Association, and was carried on by its successor, the Canadian Legion of the British Empire Service League.
The fallen of Ypres
This memorial service was held to honour the men of the 1st Brigade who were killed in Canada's first major battle of the Great War. In the coming years, the number of casualties would make it impossible to hold such formal services after every battle.
For Catholics in uniform
Published by the Canadian Forces' Chaplain's Aid, this bilingual magazine featured secular as well as religious content: messages from Catholic clerics, news on the work of chaplains in various theatres of operations, a sports column, and, in this issue, an article on the problem of venereal disease.
Address to the Catholic Women's League of Montreal
This booklet contains a speech by Charles Murphy, the Postmaster General of Canada, before the Catholic Women's League of Montreal. The focus of Murphy's speech is the importance of maintaining peace and spreading national goodwill.
The Pope and the War
This pamphlet examines the broader impact of the war since it began in 1914, particularly in the realm of religion. The author explores the meaning of conflict within the context of Catholic teachings. Such pamphlets were commonly distributed by the Catholic Church in Canada throughout the duration of the war.
"Action Catholique" and the War
Olivar Asselin, an associate of Henri Bourassa, details his opposition to Canada's participation in the war in this pamphlet.
"The Nation and The War"
Although it was printed in 1942, this evangelical pamphlet relied heavily on the First World War in its discussion of the role of the British nation in wartime.
Words of wisdom for soldiers
This collection of prayers, poems, thoughts, and messages (by people such as Winston Churchill, Robbie Burns, Walter Lippmann, and John Oxenham) was produced by the YMCA to be distributed to Canadians overseas and in uniform.
A Chaplain's Christmas message
Montreal clergyman Allan Shatford enlisted in the Canadian Expeditionary Force in 1915 and eventually ministered to Canadian soldiers overseas. He usually prepared a special Christmas message to the troops and distributed it in booklet form.
Pastoral Letter
Written by the Archibishops and Bishops of Quebec, Montreal, and Ottawa, this pastoral letter was issued in the fall of 1914. The letter aimed to solicit contributions from parishioners to the war effort; half of each contribution would go to the national Patriotic Fund and the other half would be directed to assisting local families who would be reduced to poverty during the impending winter, whether due to the wartime or other circumstances.
Decorating graves in Nova Scotia
Even small towns felt the effects of the world wars. The Canadian Legion branch in Bridgetown, Nova Scotia, held its annual memorial ceremony on 24 June 1951 to place wreaths on veterans' graves and on the Memorial Cross.
Marking the beginning of the Great War
Just a few months after the signing of the Treaty of Versailles that ended the First World War, the citizens of Hamilton, Ontario, assembled to give thanks on the fifth anniversary of the beginning of the war.
An infantry battalion remembers
The 34th Battalion had been raised in Guelph, Ontario, and in 1933 brought its wartime chaplain back to officiate at a memorial service.
Giving thanks for peace
Sold at $1 per hundred, this leaflet provided a standard service that could be used by any of the Protestant denominations to mark the end of the Second World War.
A Toc H anniversary
Toc H was a non-denominational organization, established during the First World War by a British chaplain, that spread to Canada in the 1920s and 1930s.
Victory Day Service
This Royal Canadian Navy Draft Depot in Halifax, Nova Scotia, held a church service to mark the German surrender in May 1945.