In honor of Veteran’s Day, the Burns Library is showcasing an exhibition entitled “Come Follow Me: Boston College Military Chaplains.” What John Addlebury, a former Burns reference librarian working again at the library, calls their “current events” case, is filled with the letters, books, photographs and stories of the Boston College military chaplains. Placards in the case explain that “Boston College has proud tradition of faculty and alumni and service “For God and Country.” Burns Library poured through its archives to find the names of one hundred and twenty-nine BC grads and faculty that served as chaplains in the US Military. The archives, along with the personal collection of Rev. William J. Leonard, SJ, a BC High grad, former BC faculty, and former curator of the Liturgy in Life collection, comprise the collection.
The exhibition, while representing the sheer number of chaplains from BC, also explored the stories of five chaplains more deeply. The tales and memorabilia of Rev. John Ignatius Foley, Fr. William J Leonard, SJ, Rev. William J Kenealy, SJ, Rev. John L. Bonn, SJ, and Rev. William M. Stinson, SJ are given special attention in the exhibition.
Rev. Leonard was chaplain of the 9th Ordinance Battalion and served in New Guinea and Manila. The exhibition features his mass kit, and a sign that hung on his chapel door.
Rev. Kenealy served as Lieutenant Commander on the USS California. He kept letters from the men he served with and their loved ones. The letters thanked him profusely for the extraordinary comfort he had proved to be to the men on the California. Letters from mothers, reproduced for the display case, featured phrases such as, “I’m so glad you were with Jimmie in his last moments,” and “I want to thank you over and over again for everything you have done for my boy,” proving just how well Rev. Kenealy performed his duty.
Reverend John L. Bonn, SJ taught dramatics at BC in the 30s and 40s; there is a performance space in Robsham named for him. His shoulder board from the US Navy Reserves is displayed in the collection.
Reverend Stinson, SJ, was librarian at BC from 1924 – 35. His collection of French postcards, amassed during the time of the WWI, show the devastation of the Battle of Verdun.
Addlebury explained that the next display coming to the current events case will be entitled The Jesuit Martyrs of El Salvador: The 20th Anniversary Commemorative Exhibition and will featured beginning November 30th.
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