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Chaplains

Communicant Forms

Communicant Forms

The Communicants' Fellowship introduced by the 4th Armoured Brigade in Italy showed that the communicant members of the different denominations were usually the keenest supporters of religion, and that through them the chaplain could exert a wide influence. Accordingly a system of simple paper forms was introduced and these were handed around and filled in after services of Holy Communion. On these forms the man wrote his name, denomination, military address, and the name of his Church in New Zealand. These forms were sent back to Base, where they were sorted and passed on to representatives of the different denominations. A roll of these communicants, mounting in one short year to over three thousand names, was kept at Base.

This information was put to various uses. The Church of Eng- page 125 land chaplains used it in three ways. Firstly, by reference to Base a new chaplain to a unit could be informed of all his communicants. Secondly, at the great Christian festivals a circular letter was sent to every man on the roll, pointing out the significance of the day and the religious duties expected. These letters were received with warm approval by the soldiers. Thirdly, as soon as the communicant form was received at Base a specially printed letter was sent to the vicar in the man's parish at home. Sometimes the vicar then wrote a letter of encouragement to the soldier and visited his family. This system of communicant forms was of value and could work well provided there was a chaplain at Base with time to deal with them.