Our Lady’s Knight

By Father Lawrence G. Lovasik, SVD

Biography of his Younger brother: Technical Sergeant Leo E. Lovasik 1921-1943

Published 1960 by Daughters of St. Paul, USA

Foreword

 someone has said that in the success and failure of every man, somewhere in the background is the shadow of a woman. A woman caused our downfall; a woman brought about our Triumph. As Adam and Eve looked back at a Lost Paradise their eyes were blessed by the vision of another woman,  clothed With the sun standing there majestically in the  azure Heavens. A thrill of Hope filled their being, as they heard the voice of God directed to the enemy who had caused their fall “I will put enmities between thee and the woman. she shall crush thy head”. She is the woman spoken of in St John's apocalypse “and a great sign appeared in heaven a woman clothed with the sun and the moon Was under her feet and upon her head a crown of twelve Stars”.  Apocalypse 12:11

this same woman -- Mary, God's mother and ours -- gently dominated the life of the youth whose story is told in these pages. She was his hope and inspiration. he venerated her as the “Queen of the Skies”, to whom he dedicated his life as her knight.

If the only object of this story were to tell of the wonderful influence she exerted on this youth, it would be worth telling. But there is much inspiration in his example and in the words he is left in writing which disclosed The Marvelous working of God's grace in his soul. he felt is his duty of honor in Life to give the best that was in him, his heart’s love and Devotion, to his God and to his neighbor and to the loveliest woman that ever graced this Earth.

It may be unusual for a priest to write the  life story of his own brother.  I do so as a token of love for Our Lady Queen of the Skies, that both of us may contribute our humble share to the Praise God’s mother rightfully deserves, and which she herself prophesied: “Behold henceforth all generations shall call me blessed because he who is mighty has done great things for me”. Luke 1:48.

Father Lawrence G Lovasik, SVD

Feast of The Apparition of Mary Immaculate, February 11th 1960

Divine Word Seminary

Girard, Pennsylvania

The  Knight and his Celestial  Lady

 oh holy virgin keep my heart as that Of a child

Pure fresh and wide and glad

transparent as a spring

 give me a simple heart

that does not Savor sadness

a heart that glories when it gives itself

 a heart aware of Frailty

 and open to compassion

 a faithful and Generous Heart

 That remembers every benefit

 and does not cherish rancor for a hurt

 give me a tender humble heart

 that loves and asks for no return

 happy to efface itself in another heart

 in the presence of your Divine Son

 a Heart great and indomitable

 that no ingratitude can lock

 and no indifference render slack

 a heart tormented with the glory of Jesus Christ

 wounded by his love

A  wound that only shall be healed in heaven

 Pere Leonce de GrandMaison

Chapter 1

Childhood memories

The Zalibera family lived in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania on a hillside overlooking a chain of ugly red brick steel mills and foundries which flank both banks of the Allegheny River. On the Feast of the Assumption 1900, Stephen Zalibera, one of the hundreds of Slovak immigrants who worked in the mill was killed instantly in a fall from a high tank. He left four small children. Mary, the oldest of the children, shared with her mother the burdens of caring for the bereaved family. This companionship in sacrifice forged a strong bond between mother and daughter. Both brought their needs and pains to Our Lady. Years later Mary was to leave her own family to take care of her aged mother in the last weeks of her life. How well she remembered the words of the dying woman: "Mary, keep close to the Blessed Mother.... Tell her all your needs; she will never forsake you."

In her girlhood Mary Zalibera worked as a sales clerk in one of the large department stores in downtown Pittsburgh. in the same city Steve lovasik, a Slovak immigrant who had left his home at the age of 16, was the center of a social and dramatic group to which she belonged. he worked in a Printery that published the first newspaper for Slovak immigrants. in 1909 Steve move to Tarentum, a town in the Allegheny Valley 20 miles Northeast of Pittsburgh, where he and a partner opened a meat market and grocery business. at the time he was courting a very attractive young lady, but he put off marrying her because he felt that  as yet he was not in a position to support a wife and family. when the girl married his business partner instead, Steve was the best man at the wedding. shortly after the birth of the first child of this marriage Steve’s business partner suddenly disappeared with the entire earnings of the business, and was never heard from again.  Steve was  at  hand to support the wife and child of a man  who had robbed him.

 in his heart Steve had cherished the memory of the young sales clerk who used to come to the dances at the Slovak Social Hall on Saturday night. it did not take Steve long to realize that this was  the girl who  was the answer to his prayers. they were married in Saint Elizabeth’s Church in Pittsburgh, February 22nd 1911.

 Mary  came to Tarentum with Steve Camp  and cheerfully joined him in  bearing his financial burdens.  shoulder to shoulder  they struggled with a huge debt and a growing business.  they built a two-story  brick building  and managed one of the largest meat markets and grocery stores in the  town of Tarentum,  but they had incurred a debt  which would take them 30 years to pay.  many times in years to come they were to be threatened with eviction,  but Mary kept praying and as long as she did, like Moses on the mountain, battles with collectors were successfully won. At least these collectors were convinced that the good name of Steve and his wife was not a bad risk.

 probably because Steve had a heart of gold, he never became a very successful businessman. he was always giving food to the poor who Could not afford to pay their Grocery and meat bills. the credit system Worked Havoc with the financial status of the struggling family. many of the people who accepted his charity later followed the adage that time canceled all debts. Steve also offered legal advice and  even Financial Aid to  Slovak immigrants who were not acquainted with the legal procedures of a new country. their property settlement, income taxes, citizenship papers, personal Disputes and a hundred other Needs were confidentially brought to the  young grocer  who had picked up such Knowledge from books and experience. he was more often than not satisfied with a “God reward you” for his time and efforts. people from miles around regarded him as a very kind man who would never refuse a favor.

Mary was always the Praying Mother.  she would present all her problems to Our Lady, just as her own mother did. Once When Afflicted with a nervous condition, for many months she made a pilgrimages to a shrine of Our mother of Perpetual Help 25 Miles away to secure help.  After Mass  and Holy Communion, while kneeling before the picture of the Virgin Mary she derived the greatest consolation and strength to Bear her cross. God and Our Lady helped Where Physicians had failed. God blessed Steve and Mary lovasik with 8 children and they regarded this as the most wonderful expression of his generosity and kindness to them.

 in her diary Mary recorded the birth of her fourth child:

“On Sunday November 13th 1921 at 2 o'clock in the afternoon God sent an angel to our home. a beautiful baby boy. he has golden hair and bright blue eyes. 2 weeks later we had him baptized Leo Edward.”

After Leo's baptism, Mary tells how she took her baby to the altar of the mother of God and, with tears of joy streaming down her cheeks, consecrated him to his heavenly mother. Our Lady herself knows the words she used. it may have reminded her of the presentation of her own child in the temple 40 days after his birth when she offered him to the heavenly Father for the Salvation of the World.

the wedding gift Mary received from her mother was a picture of the Immaculate Conception in color.  it depicts did Our Lady in white flowing garments, in the midst of glistening clouds, with angels surrounding her.  she stood in magnificent Majesty as “our tainted Nature's solitary boast” against a background of Rich Blue Sky.  this picture had a place of honor over the bed of Leo's mother, a reminder perhaps thAt Our Lady was to be this young mother’s ideal and that her family should always be under the protection of the mother of God. thus the Queen of the Skies seem to hover over Leo's crib.  it was probably the first holy image he saw as his large Blue Eyes searched the ceiling and walls of His mother’s bedroom.  someday he would form pictures of this Lady in the cloud formations and talk to her with the Simplicity of a child as the bomber winged its flight through the Airways, and he would call her the Queen of the Skies.

The Happy Frolicking of four children in the eight room flat over the grocery store Made Steven  and Mary forget some of the burdens that pressed upon their shoulders. Besides, in every problem they learned to find relief and strength in God, for never a day pass that Mary would not climb the hill to the Parish church for Holy Mass and Communion. through the grace of the Blessed Sacrament she hoped to be the kind of mother to her children that the Blessed Mother was to Jesus. Long before the children were able to go to the parochial school she took them with her to receive the blessing of Jesus who said “let the little children come to me for such is the kingdom of heaven.”  their first schooling in religion was at their mother’s  knee.

 Leol received his Early Education from The Franciscan sisters at saint Clement’s Parochial School, just as his brothers and sisters did.  the good sisters spoke of him as a “real boy” and emphasized his ability to measure up to those boyish characteristics that adults sometimes fail to understand.  when he was reprimanded,  he never resisted The Authority either of his parents or of the sisters at school,  but not infrequently began to cry to show that he acknowledged his fault and was deeply sorry for it.  the sisters also spoke of the respect he always showed them and of the way he tried to be a little gentleman not only towards them but also towards his fellow pupils.  before Saint Clement's church was remodeled for the golden jubilee of the parish in 1953,  a shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes occupied a prominent place on the gospel side of the high altar.  the statue of the Immaculate Conception set into the Rock-like imitation of the cave of Lourdes held sacred memories for the simple folk of the parish. Young and old came to pour out their hearts in confident prayer before this Lady who, at the cave of Massabielle  in the Pyrenees, had cured thousands from disease and afflictions of the body and relieved many thousands more  of mental anxiety and ailments of the Soul.

 it was To this Shrine  that Leo frequently came to pray because he often saw his mother doing so. it may have been here that he found his first inspiration to be devoted to the Immaculate Conception.

 Leo was unusually eager to make his First Holy Communion. May 18th 1930,  was the “big day” of his life as  he usually called it because it was the beginning of a very close friendship with Jesus.  going to receive his friend frequently was  Leo's way of proving that his friendship  was sincere and not one-sided. in little unnoticeable ways, The Graces of those early Holy Communion Fashioned a really beautiful character in this boy,  who even in later years  was to  remain just a boy  Through and through.

 in his seventh grade Leo joins the Boy Scouts. very earnestly, he studied the manual he had received and strove to reach the various degrees of the Scout program. he often discussed them with his mother and told her how he was progressing.  he announced to her, with pride, his promotion from one degree to another. One day his mother asked him to do some work that he particularly disliked.  at the moment he made a remark that sounded like an objection.  a customer  in the store noticed his reluctance and said “ Leo I'm afraid you would make a poor Scout”.  the remark shamed him so much, that tears welled up in his eyes and he went to make his apology to his mother.

 those who knew Leo later spoke of a  certain chivalrous Spirit he always showed. He has an unusual sense of fair play and was quick to defend anyone who was not given a “square deal”. he's did not always manage to get high marks on a school report, not even in Behavior, but he was the kind of  boy everyone could not help liking. no one could question his sincerity. he was especially  loved for his kindness and even temper and for his spirit of fun.  this accounts for his many friends.  if he ever lost his temper it was not for long.  he was quick to apologize not  in nice words so much as by a smile, a pat on the back, and “let's forget it”.  he managed to develop a remarkable cheerfulness when with his friends, as if he had only one thing on his mind, and that was to make life Pleasant for everybody.  this quality became more pronounced as he grew older.

 Leo's piety was ordinary and and unostentatious,  yet very sincere.  he was not ashamed of doing something special for Jesus and Mary such as going to Holy Communion for a feast day of Our Lady or on a Saturday when he could have slept longer, or telling sister in school or his mother and dad at home that he was sorry when he did not behave himself, or refraining From eating candy just because it would please Jesus on the cross and his Blessed Mother.  he felt obliged to do his very best to prove his loyalty to his best friend and his mother.

 the example of Leo's mother was his first and best teacher, for he often saw her pray at Mary’s statue in her bedroom and And watched her put bouquets of flowers  there. in her crosses he would hear her speak “o Blessed Mother help me”. he understood why a picture of our lady had a place of honor in each room of her home and why a little Shrine was erected in her garden. He saw his mother Rising early each morning for Mass and holy Communion with prayer Book and rosary in hand, or when he saw her make her visit to the altar of our Lady and light a candle there before leaving the church. she was bringing the Blessed Virgin into her home as well as into the hearts and minds of her children. Mary was his mother's best friend.  all this was indelibly impressed upon his young mind.

 with almost breathless expectation, that mother was watching her boy grow wondering the  while what God and our lady had in store for him. that someday Leo would do honor to God's mother, was all Leo's mother lived for. her heart enshrined no more tender or more precious wish than that she might be the mother of a priest who would give his life -- the Flesh and Blood she herself supplied -- to almighty God or to the service of the mother of that God.

Chapter 2

 the missionary ideal

Freshman and sophomore, st. Mary's Seminary, September 1935 to June 1937

 During His last year at Saint Clement's parochial school as a pupil of the 8th grade, Leo showed an interest in becoming a priest. it was at this point that  Leo's life seemed to merge into my own. I was now a seminarian studying for the missionary priesthood, beginning the first year of my philosophical course. In the summer of 1935, the seminarians of the major Seminary of the Society of the Divine word at Techny, Illinois were vacationing for the first time at the Divine word seminary at Girard, Pennsylvania.  this made it convenient for my parents and brothers and sisters to visit with me.  Leo had an opportunity to see how a mission  Seminary operates.  eagerly he toured the house and grounds.  he visited the classrooms, Chapel, swimming pool, Farm, picnic grounds and ball fields. Everything attracted him and awakened an interest in following in his brother’s footsteps. The few talks Leo and I had on the matter of vocation bore  fruit.  he made up his mind to join the boys who were preparing for the missionary priesthood.  his application was accepted at St Mary's Mission Seminary, Techny, Illinois, Which at that time housed not only the major Seminary but also students of the High School Division. he entered the minor Seminary to begin his high school training in September 1935.

life in the mission Seminary was a new experience for Leo.  although he missed Family Life very much and occasionally suffered a spell of homesickness, the pleasant atmosphere of his training with his new school Chums helped him to adjust himself without much difficulty. in time he became enthusiastic about his training.  it was intensive and firm Yet full of fun and adventure.  he liked his studies, especially the languages.  he was particularly  delighted with the facilities given the boys in the recreational program.  he was as enthusiastic for the fun and Adventure as for the discipline and training of Seminary life for he had already taken to Heart The Immortal words of Knute Rockne --  which he  inscribed in his diary --  to the Youth of America: “be men of honesty, of disciplined character, of high ideals, of Courage Under Fire.  scorn  the base and the  vulgar,  Fight Fair,  and win  the  clean Glory of an unblemished name.”  he took an active part in all the sports and was often the captain of a team.  in playing baseball, his favorite sport, during his sophomore year, he broke his wrist.  he never mentioned a word about it to his mother for fear that it would cause her some concern.  on another occasion he broke his ankle playing football.  he again spent a few weeks in the infirmary without his mother knowing about it.  he described the incident in one of his school papers entitled “big moments in my high school career”:

“ my first big moment as a freshman was when I was elected president of my class, which meant that I had to represent my class on various important occasions.

 as a sophomore I was told to recite a poem for the program given on Washington's birthday.  unfortunately I broke my ankle a few days before the event.  that caused my disappointment, for my name had already been printed on the program.  instead I lay in bed trying to imagine how the audience would take my failure to appear.  later I was informed that my part had been omitted and that the audience enjoyed the program  immensely.  I was then glad that I had been unable to appear,  for I may have been  unsuccessful in reciting the poem,  and this would have spoiled the entertainment for the night.  this was the first opportunity I had to face the public during my high school career;  but you see,  I did not have the Good Fortune to make use of the opportunity.”

 since I was a seminarian during Leo's freshman and sophomore year at St. Mary's,  I was in a position to keep in touch with him.  we would meet every Sunday and Thursday for about an hour in order to discuss family news, School problems, and things in general.  I tried to help him especially spiritually,  since I knew that occasionally he had some misgivings about his vocation.  he agreed to make a half hour visit to the Blessed Sacrament on his free days, Sunday and Thursday.  for a while this was rather difficult for him because it meant that he would have to break away from some interesting game to keep his appointment with Jesus.  sometimes he failed to make his visit,  but he would always let me know about it.  when I reprimanded him for being unfair to his best friend,  he accepted the correction in fine spirit,   though frequently with tears in his eyes.  occasionally the same thing happened when he received a low Mark in one of his subjects.  he immediately assured me that he would try harder.  at each visit I would bring him some little gift,  such as a booklet,  picture,  or something to eat.  he was always most appreciative.

 as time went on Leo and I became very close.  he knew that there was nothing I wanted so much as to help make him to be a good boy,  and someday a good priest. he never questioned my sincere interest in him,  though at times I know my Stern advice given in the first fervor of my own Seminary training,  was difficult to take.  I later discovered in the letters he wrote another that our talks were bearing fruit,  and that with brotherly loyalty he regarded me as some sort of model for imitation. I realized I did not measure up to the ideal he had made me out to be in his own mind.

 Leo completed his first year at the Seminary successfully.  perhaps his greatest crosses came in the form of doubts about his vocation. they seemed to attack him at various times during the four years he spent as a student for the missionary priesthood of the Society of the Divine word. he made mention of this during his sophomore year in a letter dated September 17th 1936:

“ Dear Mother

 I took a walk with  Lawrence last Thursday and I told him that I did not want to become a priest.  I explained everything to him.  he told me that it was the devil tempting me. I didn't pay any attention to his remarks about the devil,  but later I realized that it was true.  the devil really was tempting me and was trying to discourage me from becoming a priest.  I told Lawrence that I want to become a missionary and I WILL!  he said that God was giving me the grace to serve him and that I should use that Grace.  I took every word of his talk seriously.  it was the devil tempting me during the summer too.

 God wants me to become a priest and so I WILL,  no matter how many sacrifices I may have to undergo.  I am sure that you would be overjoyed to see two of your sons at the altar offering themselves to God.

 I am yours in Jesus and Mary.”

 in the next letter to his mother Leo wrote:

 “Mother,  I am glad that you were happy when I said that I am going to become a missionary.  it really was The devil tempting me.  now when he comes to me,  I just ‘push him away’.  after that nice talk which Lawrence gave me,  I feel like the happiest boy in the world.”

 mother’s greatest happiness lay in the hope that she might offer her son's to the service of God.  the letters we sent to her made her feel that her prayers for us were being answered.  devoted mother that she was,  she encouraged Us in her letters and,  most of all,  accompanied us with her prayers.  she had taught us from babyhood to confide in the mother of God.  but her own good example made that lesson all the more forceful.  Devotion to Mary was the precious Heritage she gave her children,  which would stand them in good Stead especially in the years when they were growing into Young Manhood and Womanhood.  she enjoyed the sudden tone of seriousness in Leo's letter written after his 15th birthday.  he was growing “to be a man”.

November 22nd 1936

 “Dear Mother

 I enjoyed my birthday  immensely,  especially because my beloved friends promised to pray for me,  and among these friends you are the dearest, mother.  I regard these prayers to be of more value than a million dollars!

 on this my 15th birthday,  my Young Manhood is just beginning.  once a boy has reached his 15th year,  he is not a boy any longer, but a young man.  I am taking this seriously.  I am trying to be like a real man, As you and Dad would like me to be.  I realize that during the past summer I did not always act like a gentleman,  but like a boy.  my first year here was still so Boyish. From now on I am going to try to be more a gentleman.

 the first quarter of the school year is over.  I hope I have done my best during that short period.  I am enclosing my report.  I hope the marks please you.  I will try harder during the next quarter.  as you see I got 94% in conduct.  that was the highest Mark among the students.

 Autumn is here.  the leaves are falling and the weather is getting colder.  I played two games of tackle football since I last wrote home.  don't worry about my getting hurt. Before every game I always pray to the Blessed Mother and ask her to protect me. 

May Jesus and Mary guide and protect you all!”

 the students at the mission Seminary went home only for their summer vacation,  so it was a quite a surprise to his mother to receive this bit of news Expressed in his own boyish way:

“ this is an interesting and important letter which will make you very happy, mother.  here's the Great  NEWS. WE MUST COME FOR CHRISTMAS!  don't  faint,  mother.  it's true.  isn't it just too wonderful?  yes, every one of the students must spend the Christmas vacation at home.  we could hardly believe it ourselves.  Boy!  that was great news!”

At this early age Leo could understand the difficulties his parents were having in meeting their financial obligations,  which were aggravated by the depression.  he frequently assured them of his prayers,  since he could not offer more.  upon his return from his Christmas Vacation,  he wrote:

“ mother,  I was a little homesick these last few days and wished I were at home again.  I'll never forget all that dad has done for me.  I have that deep in my heart and I will try to repay him for  it someday.  tell him that I am praying very hard for him that he may get his new job,  and I will continue to pray until he gets it in order to earn some money some way.  I know how hard it is for him and also for all of you.  I hope that our dear God will answer our prayers.  two weeks ago I made a novena to St  Therese for these two intentions:  1 that Dad might get his job soon.  2 that I might persevere in my vocation. I love  saint Therese and Our Lady of Perpetual Help,  and I always pray to them.  I am sure they will help us.

 I remember our whole family in my prayers everyday,  and I ask God to keep you in his protecting arms and bless you with all the Graces you need.”

 Leo also encouraged his older sister to do her utmost  in sharing the burdens that weighed so heavily upon the shoulders of her father who was supporting his family of seven children all alone. he dropped this note to his favorite sister,  Marcella,  who was helping her mother to take care of three little children.  it contains not only a lot of practical  sense,  prompted by a deep love for his parents,  but also a deep concern about the Fulfillment of God's fourth Commandment:  honor thy father and thy mother….

“  sis,  did you ever sit down to consider all the debts that Dad has to pay,  and that he must support all of us by himself?  he must buy food and clothes for us.  where does Dad get this money to support us at home?  he must labor for it;  and the little that he earns does not mean very much.  Honestly,  sis,  if I were in your position now,  I would try to earn a little money for Dad.  why not try to get a job somewhere?  I know that it is hard,  but keep trying.  I am sure you will succeed,  because I am going to pray to the Blessed Virgin for you. Pray to the Blessed Mother,  too,  that she may help you.  I know that she will,  where she never forsakes  her dear children. You could not please Dad more than by doing this.  Gee,  I wish I had a chance to help Dad out like you have,  and to  repay him for all that he has done for us.  I promise you that I will give you something very beautiful as a present,  if you do as I say.  you will be very happy,  too,  if you do this beautiful act  of charity.”

 dad and mother sold their Grocery & Meat Market business in 1935 and rented the store room to another proprietor.  after a year or two the new proprietor gave up his business,  and for more than 5 years the spacious store room,  which extended throughout the entire floor of the large brick building,  was left vacant.  taxes mounted High.  nothing could be paid on the mortgage.  the family of eight was threatened with eviction.

 but God did not fail them in their hour of need.  mother took her problem to Our Lady of Perpetual Help.  after having made  numerous novenas on Tuesday evenings in her honor,  an answer came at a time when there was a general depression in our country.  a government state store decided to rent the store room.  this store is functioning to the present time.  this miraculous assistance given by the Blessed Mother left a very deep impression on the struggling family and was responsible for  drawing it still closer to the mother of God  who never fails those who put their hope in her.  family ties became even closer and affection deeper as this family suffered  together and prayed together,  depending entirely  upon God for its subsistence.

 another answer to prayer came when Dad was offered a state job in the city of Pittsburgh.  it was no enviable position,  but it meant that the growing family of seven children could be kept in food and clothing.  Leo and the rest of the children joined in prayer for this intention.  Leo expresses his joy  in  a letter written September 24th 1937.

“ when I read  in Dad's letter that he was called to  begin his new job,  I was very happy and grateful for this great favor.  it really was startling news to me. It shows that one should  not lose confidence when asking for a special favor from our Blessed Mother.  she is the protectress of our family and its ever faithful provider.  each morning I ask her to protect and guide our family  at all times and in all places.  I have a very fervent Devotion to our heavenly mother,  and I am sure she will shield me with you at all times.”

In his letter of April 1st 1937,  Leo describes to his mother his busy routine as a sophomore at Saint Mary's.

“ I am kept very busy because I always have something to do in connection with my studies.  if I work zealously now,  I shall enjoy the good results later on.  our mid-year examinations will soon be here.  they are very important.  I want to get good Marks in My subjects. I need not fear if I have my heavenly mother helping me. Don't worry mother.  I'll do my best.  at the mid-year all the class presidents will be changed,  so that means that I shall be relieved of my position as president of the class.

on every free day,  that is on Sundays and Thursdays,  I do the following things of my own accord during my free time: I spend a half-hour of adoration before the Blessed Sacrament; I practice at the piano for about 45 minutes;  I read for half an hour.  I spend a lot of my free time reading.  I always have something to do.  I try never to waste my time.

 I really like it here.  I have no trouble with my precious  vocation,  for I feel quite certain that God has called me to be his follower and his priest.

 I served for a  newly ordained missionary who is going to China. I consider that a privilege.

 last night we had a jolly time at supper when our newly-ordained missionaries,  who are going to the missions, came into our dining room and said a few words to us before they left. there were seven of them, and believe me, they are the happiest priests on Earth.

Sunday, the Blessed Feast of Easter will be here. what great joy should fill our hearts when we consider that our savior arose on this glorious day.  May the Divine Redeemer fill your hearts with the joy The Three Holy Women felt when the angel announced to them that Christ has risen!”

 one of  Leo's Noblest traits of character was his tender love for his mother.  she shared all his secrets, joys, and sorrows. he frequently showed his appreciation for all she had done for him through his gifts for her and through his letters.  the following one is typical. he gives vent to the sentiments that  welled up in his heart on Mother's Day in May 1937.

 “Ave Maria

 sweet mother in heaven, remember my dearest mother at home!

 Dear Mother

 as I sit in the study hall and begin to write to you, I am gazing at the Statue of our Blessed Mother. around her are beautiful and fragrant  spring flowers. two lighted Candles cast  their reflections upon the countenance of my heavenly mother and upon the lilies around her,  which are whiter than the snow in winter. mother, this reminds me of that happy day when mothers are remembered by their love ones whom they themselves have loved and served so Faithfully.

 mother, on this day I cannot express as I want to all the gratitude that my heart feels toward you, who have done so much for me. you took care of me when I was only a babe in a crib. you taught me many things, especially this one:  to pray. you taught me the Our Father, so that I might praise and glorify almighty God, my creator. you taught me the Hail Mary, so that I might  venerate the Blessed Mother in Heaven.  I shall say that prayer this day, asking the Blessed Mother, who has  LED us on so far, To continue to protect and guide us,  and especially you,   my Earthly mother.  on this day I shall remain before the altar of the Blessed Mother,  kneeling there with tearful eyes and looking toward her, saying, ‘Sweet Mary, my lovely mother, I pray thee, please bless my sweetest Mother at home who has done so much for me. ask Jesus to help her in her Earthly strife and to keep her at his most sacred side.  please,  dear mother of my savior,  help me to be thankful to her for all she has done to please me. Mother dear, help her to imitate thee   in all Ways, for thou art  the model of all mothers. mother, help her, and ask Jesus to grant  her many favors, especially on this day.

 mother, again I  thank you for all that you have done for me, who am  unworthy of all this care. I cannot repay you in any other way except by loving and praying for you.”

When Leo was about to leave for his summer vacation,  a note to his mother from father prefect preceded him:

“ Leo is okay it seems --  quiet, as usual. in a week you'll have him home again. take good care of him --  he is one of our promising students, you know. God bless you all!”

Chapter 3

 the ideal and the storm

 Junior and senior, Holy Ghost Mission Seminary, September 1937 to June 1939

Leo spent two years as a freshman and sophomore at Saint Mary's Mission Seminary, Techny,  Illinois. after the summer vacation the student body was transferred to Holy Ghost Mission Seminary, East Troy, Wisconsin. it was an ideal home for this crowd of more than 60 boys. The two-story brick building stands on the shore of picturesque Lake Beulah.  Leo mentions its Scenic Beauty in his very first letter, September 8th 1937:

“ Lake Beulah is certainly a beautiful place. I think I am going to like it here. we shall not play baseball or tennis yet, because we have no place for it;  but we have the Big  Lake, and that really is something! I am going swimming this afternoon.

 it is very quiet here. in the evening when the Sun is setting, and its many colored Rays glitter on the water, you have some little idea of Heaven.”

 but the peaceful  surroundings of Lake Beulah  marked a sharp contrast to the conflict which  Leo began to experience in his soul. His ideal was to reach the holy priesthood. at various times during the two previous years his determination to reach his ideal had been slightly  shaken. during this period of his training he was to face the full force of the storms of vocational  doubts that threatened to wreck his Noble aspirations.

 the change in location made it impossible for Leo and me to continue our meetings each Sunday and Thursday. my contact with him now was only through the mail. as he was growing older, problems arose which seemed to occasion a kind of restlessness and lack of Interest. the following letter touches on one of the important traits of Leo's character, his desire to be honest with himself.

“ mother, I really do not know how to thank you for all you have sent me for my 16th birthday. I enjoyed receiving the present you sent me.

 but the one thing I did not enjoy was my report for this semester, and which, I think, will not prove very satisfactory to you either. this quarter was the worst I've ever experienced and all my students days. everything seemed to be going wrong.  I had a bad start and I am just getting rid of its effects now. I was not able to get serious in my studies. several times I tried hard to get down to real business, but never succeeded. in short, I was just wasting my time. I could have been doing something useful;  but, not realizing it, and in some way not being able to improve, I had to  bear all patiently and wait for someone from above to  enlighten me.

  father prefect  called me into his room several weeks ago, and asked me the reason why I was not feeling content here. he said I had changed since last year.  I tried to explain the whole matter to him. after my explanation, I listened to his conference for a long while.  he said that this happens to every student during his student life. he meant that every student gets these troubles;  at certain times he falls back from his standard position, especially in his studies, but that this should not discourage me, for I shall overcome this Dreadful disposition of mind. This encouraged me very much and made me feel that I should bear the cross patiently and start over again, not thinking of the past. I took this very seriously and from today on, I am determined to begin again and to gain that high standard which I possessed in my former years at Techny.

 so mother, do not let this report discourage you, for as I said, every student must experience this  some time, and I assure you that this will be the last time that I receive a report so unsatisfactory. so from now on, you and I shall forget my past misfortune, and I shall Begin Again, studying hard, praying hard, playing hard and doing all that I should to make myself worthy of my calling. remember my promises! watch them come into effect very soon.

 I was very pleased with the Holy card sister sent me. tell her I have it hanging in my locker and that I think a lot of it.

 next week is Thanksgiving. please don't send me a package. instead, Say a few prayers for me to the Blessed Mother, that she might help me, especially in my studies.

May God bless you all and may he continue to shower His blessings upon you.”

 the determination never to be a quitter is expressed in a later letter written to his mother on March 3rd 1938. the thought of the Holy priesthood was always an inspiration to him.  it was worth his greatest efforts and sacrifices.

“ I want to be a student who is always zealous, ever striving for higher ideals in life.  I want to make a success of myself. But something seems to be the matter with me    at present.  there is something missing, but I don't know what. I trust I shall find out someday and Supply it. I have confidence in myself with regard to this High ambition, and I will not give up until I  Attain to that for which I am striving.  

 last year and the year before I was different. I loved to study and to keep the rules as well as I could.  in short, I was like a model student. this year I don't seem to care so much. something is in the way preventing me, or God is trying me. he wants to test me to see whether I am worthy enough to be ‘another Christ’, a priest of God. He wants to see if I can bear the cross which he is sending me now;  he wants to know whether I shall persevere. that is my opinion on the matter. and who else should know that better than God of myself?

 Mother dear, don't worry about me. I am a young man now and able enough to take care of myself. I know what I am doing. this is only one of the many Trials of life. only he is courageous who can bear his trials patiently and who is generous enough to do the hardest things.  a day will come when God himself will replace that ‘Missing Link’ in my life with a golden one. this will last only a while;  and it is good for me. don't worry. all will be well. it is the will of God that this should happen to me. I know that I'll be much happier after the trial is over, which means that I shall benefit  by it.

 the priesthood is the grandest vocation a boy can strive for. Lent began yesterday and I made my resolutions in preparation for Easter. God bless you all and may He shower his Graces on you this Easter!”

on August 14th 1938, through the infinite goodness of God in the kind of prayers of our Lady, I was ordained a priest of Jesus Christ in the Seminary Chapel of the Holy Spirit at Techny Illinois. Leo was present with my parents to witness this tremendous experience in my life.  after my father and mother, he was the first to receive my Priestly blessing immediately after the ordination ceremony. with my newly consecrated hands resting upon the head of my brother, I begged God and our Blessed Mother to pour out upon Him abundantly  choicest Graces --  if it should be God's will that he become a priest, that he might live in a  Manner deserving of that Sublime dignity and if God should have other plans for him, that he might fulfill them perfectly.

 the following day, the Feast of the Assumption of our Lady, I offered my first Holy Mass in her honor. Leo served that  Mass and received Holy Communion with Dad and mother.  the wondrous blessings granted to our family in those days --  blessings we all had been praying for the past 13 years --  must have made a deep impression upon Leo. silently and with deep joy in his heart he witnessed the attainment of my ideal in life. he must have imagined the attainment of his own --  a priest at the altar of God! he expressed his reactions in a letter to his aunt Catherine.

“ I could not possibly Express the happiness that my brother felt when he heard the soft spoken words of the bishop at his ordination. the words -- ‘ thou art a priest forever’  must have echoed in his heart.  -- how pleased was the Divine master to welcome him among his special  servants! how happy were my mother and father when they saw him approach the altar do you become a priest,  ‘another Christ!’  I realized what it meant for them, but I feared to ask them, lest they should cry for joy. what did his brothers and sisters, whom he loved so much, think? I could only gaze at these wonderful ceremonies and reflect on the joy that filled my brother's heart.  now I truly realize what it means to become a priest and a follower of Christ list. Oh if only I could express it as I feel it. I have the same intention as Lawrence had during his 13 years of preparation, and I hope and pray that the good Lord will hear the humble prayer of one who desires, like his brother, to serve him, to live  and to die for him alone.  

 the vocation to the holy priesthood is a beautiful life  if God has called you for it.  I consider this the most Sublime vocation a person can  choose.   I who am now preparing myself for this Grand calling, consider myself utterly Unworthy to approach the altar of the God who created me. I am but dust and unto dust I shall return.

 may God's will be done! when on your knees before that great God on the altar, please whisper a little prayer for me. ask God to help me become his missionary and priest, his  follower  like  my brother,  that I may serve him alone as he deserves me to serve him.”

In September of 1938,  Leo returned to the Holy Ghost Mission  Seminary, to finish his senior year. it was a year Of busy activity and renewed determination to prove himself loyal to his holy  vocation.  

 many of Leo’s letters  contained news about his athletic activities. being well-developed physically, Leo was qualified to participate in every sport. however, he had a very special attraction for football and baseball. even in connection with sports he mentions our lady, for he Associated her with all his Pursuits:  spiritual, mental, or physical. on October 2nd 1938, he wrote:

“ we are now practicing football. it is a wonderful game, although one must take plenty of bumps;  but that is what makes a man,  and I want to be a man!  you must have courage to run through the line and be bumped around. what can easily see that  football  is not a Sissy's game, thank God, I am not a sissy to shrink away when bumps come. don't worry, mother, I'll take care of myself. my heavenly mother, I am sure, will protect me. Football is my favorite sport because it is a man's game.”

 in the winter he speaks of outdoor sports. the shores of Lake Beulah were ideal for winter as well as summer Sports.

“ I have a hockey game scheduled this afternoon. we can go skating a long distance on the lake. we also have bobsledding and tobogganing on our steep hillsides. last month a man came on Lake Beulah with  an  ice boat which had an airplane motor in it. he gave me a ride in it around the entire Lake. we were traveling at the rate of 50 miles an hour.”

 that's the springtime  and early summer brought baseball, which was really Leo's favorite sport. ever since he played in the streets of Tarentum, or in his backyard, baseball had a Fascination for him. he often dreamed of the big leagues. as a  lad of 8, he had been seen imitating some outstanding pitcher Who was his ideal.  but now, he was thrilled to play on a team, even be it's captain, and wear a real uniform. he gave his mother a full account of the annual field events.

“ we had our annual field events, mother. I won The ‘discus throw’ for the year.  the steel plate weighs about 5 lb, and I threw it 117  feet and 5 in. I went swimming,  boating,  and I played paddle tennis.  later I sailed around the lake in the bright sunshine.

 I was appointed captain of one of the softball teams, which means that I have a team of my own. the team that I played for in basketball this year won 1st place. we were unbeaten.

 in a few months I shall graduate from high school. that really means something for a young man! did I say ‘young man’?  yes, and I am referring to myself, because this Sunday I'll be seventeen. you and Dad, I am sure, are proud to have two real men in that happy family of ours --  Lawrence and I. each year I seem to feel my strength increasing and my mind developing. I weigh 164 pounds now. my height is 5 ft and 11 in. I hope you will all remember me on this 17th birthday of mine and pray to the good Lord, that with his Blessed Mother, he may protect and guide me during the coming years of manhood.”

Leo also took a keen interest in music. He tells his mother of his musical Pursuits in one of his letters:

“ I am now taking organ lessons. the priest who is teaching me said that I am doing very well. I would like to play the organ in our Chapel as soon as possible. I am also taking piano lessons and playing the clarinet in our band.

I am one of the leaders in the Chant choir which sings for the high masses and vespers. I consider this a great honor. I also belong to the Glee Club.  we staged an Operetta for New Year's Day.”

 the mission student’s activity also centers  about his future work as a priest. the “militia orans”  or the “praying Army” Is a missionary Club which Fosters the missionary spirit in the students who are to be future members of the society. in his letter of December 8th 1937, Leo writes to his mother:

“ last week at our militia orans  meeting, I was elected vice president of the organization. the idea of the organization is to pray for the missions, to send money and whatever else we can to the missionaries. I believe it is a privilege to have a position in our mission Club.”

 at the meeting of the militia orans dated January 26th 1939,  Leo gave the following speech which gives evidence of the enthusiasm that filled his soul for the cause of Christ and the salvation of Immortal Souls.

“ fellow Crusaders

 have you ever pondered over the life of a missionary? is really as pleasant as he States  in his letters to his loved ones at home? is it really his ‘first heaven’?

 first let me picture to you the confederate soldier of the South,  buttoning up his faded gray jacket --  the parole which was to  bear testimony to his children  of his Fidelity and faith. he turned his face from Appomattox  in April 1865. think of him rugged, half-starved, heavy-hearted, enfeebled by want and wounds. having fought  to exhaustion, he surrenders his gun, wRings the hands of his comrades in silence,  and lifting his tear-stained and pallid face for the last time to the graves that dot Old Virginia Hills,  pulls his gray cap over his brow and Begins the slow painful Journey. what does he find, let me ask you who went to your homes eager to find, in the welcome you had justly earned, full payment for you year’s sacrifice --  what does he find, when, having followed the battle stained cross against overwhelming odds,  dreading  death not half so much as surrender, he reaches the home he left so prosperous and beautiful? he finds his house in Ruins, his farm devastated, his Stock killed, his Barns empty,  his comrades slain, and the burdens of others heavy upon his shoulders. what does he do, this  hero in Gray with a heart of gold? does he sit down in sullenness  and despair? not for a day! surely God, who had stripped him of his prosperity, inspired him in his adversity.

 now dear comrades, compare this Fearless Soldier with the soldier of Christ who fastens his cross upon his breast and hastening dauntlessly to the Pagan lands, exclaims with that striking Spirit of a hero, ‘ farewell, my loved Homeland, to Die  is a gain, not a loss. I March forward to battle, the weapons of faith in my hands. for Christ I will fight and  will conquer!

 will this enthusiasm  four souls endure throughout his missionary career? undoubtedly it will! how often has he ventured in the fury of Tempests,  in the sweltering tropical heat, to administer to the care of Souls,  to bring Christ to those beloved  souls,  for whom he is struggling? how often has he been encountered by Savages, with nothing but his weapons of faith and his armor of Prayer to defend himself? how often, having labored to fatigue  in his mission field for Christ, did he return home, only to find another emergency awaiting him or his Hut Stripped by  barbarous natives? what does he do --  this hero in Christ’s Valiant Army?  does he sit down  in sullenness and despair? Not For a Moment! will he permit the sweet memories of his beloved ones at home to lure him? undoubtedly not, for he boldly utters, ‘ if tears that they shed overcome me, of Christ I'd not be worthy.’ with these masterful words he quickly dispels the memories and with eyes and heart  upward lifted, he prays, ‘ oh God, help me take up the cross you died upon. by shedding your blood you redeemed me. such love I can never repay.  can I give you less than my own life’s blood today?

Fellow Crusaders, ask yourselves, do these missionaries need prayers? you know the answer. but are we doing anything about it? Then onward, youth of America, Rouse yourselves!  pray for these Heroes of Christ!”

The priests and students who heard Leo deliver his speech would hardly have believed that he was struggling with doubts about his holy vocation. Realizing how precious that vocation was, he was determined to attain it if this was God's will.

 Leo was no stranger to suffering, nor to failure,  nor  to tears,  nor to doubts. he was kind to his fellow Travelers on the journey through life, yet life seemed unkind to him if we are to judge life’s kindness  by the Thrills and Brilliant successes it may offer. disappointments in plans, failures  in classwork,  Temptations, little physical distresses, a broken ankle or arm, an unmerited humiliation,  The pangs  of homesickness --  all these occasioned tears.  but perhaps the most painful  of all Were the failures Leo met with in his striving for the highest ideal he had ever set before himself --  the holy priesthood. doubts,  some passing, others persistent, seemed to bring a shadow into the joys and smiles of his young life  and threatened to Mar the fair image he treasured in his heart --  a priest standing at God's altar offering the victim savior to his father in the most perfect sacrifice that ever was;  a mother and father kneeling at the railing together to receive from hands, still moist with the oils of ordination, the body of the savior of the world. Leo prayed hard for all this to happen. with him in prayer were the hearts of his dear parents  who considered it's the greatest blessing of God upon their marital Union to give  a  son  to the church and to the priesthood of Jesus Christ.

 on a day in December of 1938  we find Leo writing another letter to his mother, this time with a hesitant and trembling hand. he had always been afraid to reveal his doubts to his mother. he knew how hard she prayed and sacrificed each day that he might become a priest, if it was God's will. each letter she wrote encouraged him to go on in spite of the difficulties he was encountering, for she assured him the Blessed Mother would see him through. but now for the first time he was going to break the news to her that would cut deep into her heart. he  was going to tell her that after an intimate talk with his Confessor, to whom he confided all his doubts, he felt that the priesthood was not for him.

“ dearest mother

 I believe you have been expecting this letter from me as an explanation for what you think seems to be  unheard of in my life. the first thing I want to explain is the mark on my report. I must admit, I should have received a higher Mark for conduct, but you know how boys are. once they do something wrong, they are always repentant and try to make amends for their faults.  I feel the same way about it.

 the essential part of this letter concerns the note father prefect sent you concerning my Priestly vocation. I know the  news startled you.  it all began this way.  father prefect called me to his room to check my records. then he asked me some very personal questions as to whether I was positive about my Priestly vocation, to which I answered that I was a little doubtful. he discussed the meaning of a vocation and told me to think the matter over again because now that I am a senior, I should decide about the future. meanwhile he admonished me to pray hard to the Holy Ghost for light. he told me to come back in about a week, and he would tell me whether I had been called by God to become a priest. in a week he told me that he and prayed and thought it  over And came to the conclusion that I have no  vocation.

 mother, do not let this bother you. I am quite positive now because of the word of a priest who  has spent a whole week  in praying for me to be able to decide. God gave him light to understand the matter, and now I am glad. I always did have some sort of doubt whether I would become a priest of God, another Christ. I thought many a Time THAT I WAS NOT WORTHY ENOUGH TO BECOME A PRIEST OF GOD, AND I ARDENTLY WISHED AND PRAYED TO THE GOOD LORD AND THE BLESSED MOTHER THAT THEY MIGHT LET ME KNOW WHETHER I AM CALLED, SO THAT I MIGHT MAKE MYSELF AT LEAST ACCORDING TO MY POWER WORTHY ENOUGH TO APPROACH THE ALTAR OF GOD.

Yes, mother Tama I prayed hard these four years for that intention and, it seemed that God And the Blessed Mother would guide your dear sons  in their Trials of life, especially that they would be led according to the will of God.

You do not know how happy I am now that I have found out the truth. please say a prayer of Thanksgiving to the good Lord for this admirable work of his divine power. I had wished  it were the will of God to become a priest, a holy priest. I tried and wanted to be Pious and industrious like a model student. the Lord desired otherwise. May the will of God be done! father prefect would like to know as soon as possible whether you  want me to come home at once or complete my high school course here.  please do not let this bother you. just think  it over and give the word, I shall be content to do what you wish.

 please remember me and your prayers, especially now when I really need them. God bless you all and with his Blessed Mother may he protect you and Grant you happiness.”

 Leo had a very high regard for the Dignity of the Holy priesthood. he felt that he heard God calling him to his Divine service and like Samuel he obediently answered, “ Speak Lord, for thy servant is listening.”  and yet, like Samuel, he was not so sure that  it really was God calling him.  at times the voice was ever so clear, and again it's became very faint. he  kept listening and praying for light and strength to do God's will,  which he tried to make the Keynote of his entire life.  more than once he spoke of his unworthiness to embrace so sacred a state of life. but he endeavored to live according to Mary's Spirit of resignation to God's holy will: “ behold, the handmaid of the Lord, be it done to me according to Thy Word.”  the realization that he was doing the will of God kept him in the Preparatory Seminary through four years of high school. now during his senior year God's voice became very  Faint And everything seemed to indicate that he had no vocation after all.  again he laid his problem before father prefect in order to receive some help to learn the will of God.

In order to portray A true picture of Leo's character it is necessary to see him in his weaker moments as well as in his moments of Triumph. he describes his condition with the Simplicity of a child.  he mercilessly depicts a stage in his life when his resistance was at its lowest ebb. perhaps the most striking proofs of Leo's humble spirit  and his sincerity was a letter written to me on January 22nd 1939 --  a letter that was left unfinished  and never mailed to  Rome --  where I was then finishing my fourth year of theology as a newly ordained priest.  I found it only years later among his school papers.

“When I received your last letter, I had to stop reading  it a moment  to wipe away the tears that welled up in my eyes. I felt like The Prodigal Son returning to my father, penitent and sorrowful.  how far have I wandered from those outstretched  appealing Hands of my savior, which have so pleadingly invited me to be a priest and to work in his Vineyard!  I was too conceited to undertake the Blessed task of serving him who wanted me to do his blessed will, to conquer all the vanities and horrible deceits of this world, and to go out to those unfortunates with the  torch of Truth and help them rise from the Dark   depths of idolatry and sin.  Oh, why have I been so ignorant as not to realize what this blessing means to me!  why have I been so stupid to try to lead my life without a guide, unacquainted as I am with the difficulties and troubles of this miserable world, wandering about like a lost sheep of God's fold!

 untutored as I have been, I never forgot those two, so dear to my heart, who I knew, were waiting for me with welcoming arms. these were none other than Jesus and Mary, to whom I now owe my deepest gratitude for my restoration. Restoration indeed, because once in past years I had that desire to become a priest, and as time went on, I became careless. and what was the result? it was my failure in everything I did. I left the main road to Christ’s Vineyard to take a side road, which ended with a dead-end  sign. where was I to go next? could I force my way through this dead end obstruction? I saw that it was impossible, so I just sat there for nearly two years, waiting for something to happen.

 something did happen! one day I noticed a very beautiful airplane, lined with innocence and purity, flying about me. but the pilot did not notice my signal when i  waved with all my strength. I saw the heavens above him open and something which seemed like a magnificent Indescribable streak of blue and white, pierced through the darkness which surrounded me.  the pilot at once noticed  this Marvel and followed it to its source. there in the brilliance that surrounded me he caught sight of me, a poor wretch, sitting in a horrible dungeon of  error and misfortune. I noticed the pilot with his Divine airplane dropping toward me like an  angel's wings. soon the airplane was upon me, and to my great surprise I noticed that the pilot was none other than you, my brother, who have been Guided by that Heavenly shaft of blue and white ( blue signifying the Blessed Mother and white, Jesus), To guide me to the right path again which I have not followed as I should have. now I am on the right path to the vineyard of Jesus Christ.

 I believe you understand this little incidence of my life. Yes, I was about to fall, to fall hard, and that's been losing my  holy vocation.  I was on the verge of throwing everything overboard when you came on the scene to help me with your advice, for which I am now very grateful. Ever Since I came To Holy Ghost Mission House, I have been a rascal. I have not done my duty as was expected of me, but instead I only moved along casually during the entire school year. I have lost interest in my studies and daily duties of an aspirant for the priesthood, even disregarded prayer and other pious devotions. In short, i acted as one who should not have entered the mission seminary. I gave up all hopes of becoming a priest and you were the one -- ”

This is where the letter ends abruptly. It was a letter that Leo never mailed, yet for some reason kept among his personal papers. The significance of the airplane and Our Lady will be clear when viewed in the light of Leo’s future and his new ideal.

But Leo kept very close to mary who was his “guiding star” during this dark night of doubts and temptations. Mary did not fail him. The gentle rays of her consolation and encouragement reached Leo’s soul. The storm passed, the darkness vanished, and there was peace again. He shares his peace and joy with his mother in the following letter.

“Well, mother, were you expecting me to come home? I am still here and i wish to remain here. I believe those were the temptations of the devil because you know he tries very hard to snatch persons who desire to consecrate themselves to God. now i feel happy and i thank the Lord that i did not go home, because i feel that i have gained a victory in this battle against the devil. Most of all, i rejoice that God has given me His grace to serve him once more. I REALLY WANT TO BECOME A PRIEST UNLESS GOD WILLS DIFFERENTLY. I am sure that the good Lord will let me know if he thinks i ought to be in the world. I have made up  my  mind to do my duty and to fight the temptations that surround me. I will let God decide whether or not i am on the right road.

Lately i read a short life story of a boy like me. He was a candidate for the holy priesthood and a model student, very pious, studious and good. He was also studying to be a missionary. Her certainly would have become a good and holy missionary had not God called him to himself in the first year of his novitiate in 1936 at the age of 21. The boy’s life is worth imitating; that is what i desire to do. So please, mother, pray to God that he might make me a holy and learned priest if that be his will. Lawrence is positive that i have a vocation and he said i should pray to the Blessed mother when i need help on my way to the holy priesthood. He sent me a beautiful prayer to the blessed virgin and i pray it daily.

How are things at home? I wish i could help you. But it is impossible for me to do much since God has called me to do his work. This summer i shall try to do my little portion. I would not mind working for the WPA digging ditches. I like to do work that will give me muscles and plenty of fresh air. Another favorite occupation of mine is chopping down trees, so perhaps i could be in one of those CCC camps for the summer. Or IF CHRIST HAD NOT CALLED ME TO FOLLOW HIM, I KNOW I WOULD JOIN THE ARMY OR NAVY.”

On february 5th 1939, he wrote:

“I believe i have improved in my conduct, but i shall not be satisfied until i get an ‘A’ in conduct, which i will try to do in the future; you may rely on me, i began the school-year badly, i admit that, but i promise you that i shall complete it successfully.

I appreciate your praising me for my letter writing, but i am far from being what i should be. I am here to learn how to write letters.

In half a year i’ll be back with you. You really do not know how much it means to me after being away for such a long period of time -- 10 months. I hope you have some work for me when i come home. During the school year i have been doing mental work and a little manual labor, so during this vacation i shall reverse the process. As you know it is best to be busy with both.

After that vacation i hope to go to Girard for my college, after which, if it is the will of God, i shall enter the novitiate. May the will of God be done! Please ask the good God to aid me in choosing the right path.”

Easter sunday of 1939 gave him occasion again to express his love for the holy priesthood.

“Easter's here and all I can say is ‘thank God!’ There is so much to thank him for.  these solemn occasions Enable me to repay him for all his graces.

 yesterday I listened to the radio  broadcast ‘the Living God’. it is a dramatization of The Passion of Our Lord in a modern form.  it makes you want to be there suffering with Christ.  please listen in.

 Mother,  never worry about a missionary being unhappy.  as long as he has his treasure, his priesthood,  he desires nothing more.  it is the source of all his happiness.  do you know what the missionaries in the missions say when troubles and trials are their portion? they smile and say, ‘this is what makes me happy’. what Heroes they are! I would like to see anyone smile at trouble as missionaries do. why is it that they are so different from others? God rewards them for their great sacrifice and showers His blessings upon them copiously  so that they might not be discouraged When Trials come come. He helps them to meet suffering with a smile. this is not an  Earthly smile,  but the smile of Christ. so consider Lawrence happy wherever he  May Journey, in Africa, New Guinea, or China. he will not fear these sacrifices. even the greatest trials will be pleasing to him because he can offer more for the love of his master. mother, to have a son a priest of God is the noblest, most Sublime, and most divine thing a mother or father can be blessed with. I know you realize this even as I do. the thought that my own dear brother was chosen among thousands, Nay  Millions, to be ‘another Christ’,  like his master, to imitate him and to love all for his sake, impresses me to tears. but there is  even a stronger And dearer emotion in my heart;  namely, THAT I MYSELF, AM FOLLOWING CHRIST’S CALL (UNWORTHY THOUGH I AM). I CANNOT FULLY APPRECIATE THIS PRIVILEGE. O GOD, GRANT ME GRACE TO DO THY BLESSED WILL! O GOD, MAKE ME WORTHY!

Whenever I recall such beautiful thoughts, I cannot imagine  what all this means to you and to Dad. truly, your happiness cannot be surpassed, even in the midst of troubles. These holy thoughts cannot disappear from your heart. Why? Because Christ has placed them there. Never cease to thank almighty God for such a  Grace, especially this Easter time. May  the Almighty Risen Lord fill your hearts with joy more like to that of divine Bliss. may he bring peace to you and to this world. may he keep you close to his Sacred Heart!”

 in the midst of this storm of interior conflict that Leo had to face, he found strength and consolation in his Eucharistic and Marian devotions.  busy as he was with his study,  his games, his school activities, Leo  seldom missed His “half hour” visit with Christ in the Eucharist each Sunday and Thursday.  this was entirely  voluntary, and hence frequently very difficult.

Leo always combined his Devotion to Christ with that of his mother. In his way of thinking, one   could not exist without the other, and one  complemented the other.  the daily Rosary was a “must” in his life. each evening after night prayers or benediction --  at which the entire community of priests, Brothers, sisters, and students were present --  he would go to the altar of our Lady to say a few prayers before retiring for the night. He did the same after his “half-hours” with Jesus. he spoke with genuine enthusiasm about the various activities of the sodality. One of his Hobbies was to collect pictures of our Lady and keep them in an album. On all  Marian feasts  he  proudly wore the Miraculous Medal of our Lady attached to a light blue ribbon on the lapel of his coat.  he always wrote “Ave Maria” at the top of each letter to remind himself and those he was writing to, that he was deeply in love with God’s mother.  He never felt embarrassed when speaking of her;  to his way of thinking Devotion to our lady was as natural as breathing. It was a necessity. This consciousness of his need for Mary in his life made him very sincere in the practice of Devotion to her.

As Leo approached another milestone in his life, he instinctively turned to the two Marys whom he loved with all his heart: Mary, the Mother of God, and Mary, his mother at home. These Sentiments of loyalty to both are expressed in his letters written before his graduation day.

“ mother, I want to ask you and others to pray for my special intention.  This intention concerns my whole future, and, therefore, since it is so important, I desire to ask others to help me obtain it. I have been praying for this intention for half a year now, especially to the Blessed Mother, and I will not give up hope because I know she will help me. So please pray for this intention of mine which means very much to me and to all of you.

 I made a novena in honor of the Immaculate Conception for this special intention. I know the Blessed Mother will grant me my request because she has never failed me yet. Even if she would fail me I would never cease being devoted to her. May God grant you his graces and help you to be happy.”

On May 11th 1939, Leo wrote what was to be his last Mother's Day letter from the  Seminary.

“ the approach of Mother's Day has brought to my mind the memory of your Joys and sorrows, smiles and tears, and all things you have done for Love Of Me. Yes, I have experienced these things and I am grateful. How pleasant it must be for a mother to receive on that day a few lines from her beloved child, now growing into manhood. I cannot express my gratitude in words --  gratitude for your sweet caresses and patient care of me when I was a child and you rocked me in your arms some 18 years ago, gratitude for your worrying about this same boy as he grew into Young Manhood. The son whom you love fondly and think about continually and wishes to show his affection for you.

How can I forget your many favors? Like a pilot you have guided my little ship over the rough ocean of Life faithfully and lovingly. You will continue to Lead Me safely. I pour out my gratitude from the bottom of my heart before the only one who really understands, God in heaven. He will reward and do measure, I am sure. My Constant Devotion to the Blessed Mother, especially during this her  month, includes the remembrance of you, for she is the mother of all mothers.  May she inspire you with some of the tenderness and Heavenly care with which she accompanied her beloved Son through manhood. may she be your guiding star and may she and her loving son protect you!

 perhaps I have been disobedient and failed to carry out your wishes or  displeased you; perhaps I have caused you heartaches and worries.  Mother, forget all this. Think only of the good things I have done to make you happy.  Let those tears of the past be turned into smiles. I want you to be happy because of me. I wish to be your hero and I want you to be only ‘that dear little mother of mine’.

Once again I thank you and  greet to you as ‘the most beloved and wonderful mother on Earth’.  May I prove to be a source of joy to you, always your loving son, Leo.

 oh Mother of God, make my mother after thine  own heart.”

 Leo's parents and family could not be present for his graduation because of the distance and expense involved. What was more important for him was their devotedness in prayer that God and our lady might guide him in the path that lay ahead. little did he realize how much he would need those prayers in what he calls in his letter of May 21st 1939, “the other  great step  of life” that awaited him.

“ we are anxiously waiting for that great day of our graduation. I will try my very best to be fit to graduate from a school as worthy as this one is. There are 16 graduates in our class. some have left in the course of the year. many dropped out especially during the summer vacation. ‘many are called, but few are chosen’, our lord said, and so it happened.

last week a doctor from Milwaukee came to examine all the graduates. when I  entered the room, he said,  ‘well, this looks like a healthy lad’,  and then began asking me questions. he glanced at the questionnaire which I had previously filled out  and said, ‘Leo lovasik, age 17, weight 170….Yes, you have a nice healthy build for that age.’ I felt good after that. After my examination he said I was perfectly well.

 it feels great to be a high school graduate! I am through with the trials and Troubles of high school;  another great step of life awaits me. When I think that I am making you happy and giving you a reason to be proud of me, I cannot help rejoicing with you.

 May the queen of May with her son protect and guide you!”

Leo's last letter to his dear parents before his graduation day on Thursday June 22nd 1939, was a brief and heartfelt expression of his love and gratitude.

“Dearest mother, I know that you and Dad will rejoice on my graduation day. I feel the same happiness in my own heart, because I always wanted to be a son after your heart. I cannot thank you enough for the many kindnesses you showed me from the first year of my studies till now. God Alone understands my love and devotion toward you both. May God bless you and Grant you health and strength  so that you may live to enjoy other days like this one.”

The storm has passed.  with the help of Jesus and Mary, Leo had weathered it successfully. immediately after the graduation exercises in the Seminary Chapel on Thursday morning, June 22nd 1939, Leo like a knight laying his sword at the feet of his lady after another victory had been won, walk over to the altar of our Lady and holding his diploma in his hand, gratefully offered it to the mother he loves so dearly. But there were other battles  ahead, and other victories to be won.   with his lady's blessing he would walk undaunted through the peaceful portals of his sheltered Seminary life to fight the battles that awaited him In a sometimes heartless and  cruel world.

 and back home at this very hour Leo's mother knelt  at the Grotto of our lady in the parish Church and asked protection for the boy she had once  consecrated to her at this same altar 18 years before.

Chapter 4

 another ideal

 June of 1939 to July 1942

 one summer day During the vacation that followed Leo's graduation,  his mother asked him,  “Leo what do you plan to do this fall? Are you going to the missionary Seminary at Girard to begin your college course?”

 after some hesitation, Leo revealed to his mother the news he had dreaded to speak of. “Mother, I hope this will not hurt you,” he replied earnestly, “but after thinking it over I have decided that the priesthood is not my vocation. I know this is something you prayed for and hoped for so long,  but I honestly believe that if I cannot be a very good priest, I should be no priest at all.”

 “but Leo,”  the mother added calmly, “haven't the fathers at Sacred Heart Mission College written to you and urged you to come?”

 “yes, Mother, Father prefect is anxious to have me began my college course at Girard, but down deep in my heart I feel that I am unworthy to become a priest. I certainly do not want the society to educate me and then see me leave.”

 Leo's  lowered head revealed the regret  that tortured his soul for having failed in fulfilling his mother's hopes and prayers. Nothing --  except  sin --  could ever hurt him so much as to disappoint his mother. There was anguish in his heart as he washed tears well up in his mother's eyes, and as they clouded her vision, it appeared as if his beautiful ideal of the priesthood, too,  was slowly Vanishing from his sight, for now he also felt the  warm teardrops  running down his cheeks. He bent over his mother,   took her into his arms and kissed her fondly.  he then made a significant remark that to this day is impressed on his mother's memory and indelibly in her heart.

 “mother, God must have something else in store for me --  another ideal. With the help of the Blessed Mother I'll reach it, whatever that ideal May be.  So don't worry, mother, everything will be all right.”

 the uphill struggle to reach the holy priesthood was over. In his usual cheerful spirit  Leo was willing to start all over again,  this time in another Direction. he prayed even more earnestly, received Holy Communion often. He begged our lady for guidance. Never was he so much in need of her help.

 there were now five children at home in the lovasik family;  the last two were twins --  a boy and a girl, who  had just begun to go to school.  Leo's father and sister alone were working to support the family.  Besides holding a small job in the city of Pittsburgh, his father secured some additional income from a fire Insurance business which had built up since the days when he managed a grocery and meat store business. The two-story building in which the family lived was heavily mortgaged for the second time.  Though the State store in the store room  on the first floor was some source of security, times were difficult. The somber  shadow of eviction which hovered over the family was a constant threat and caused much concern to all. Now Leo was in a position to share that concern. More and more he felt it his duty to give up his opportunity for further education and to stand by his father and mother in their hour of need.

 Leo's first job was that of a day laborer for the Tarentum Borough Department. He spent his days digging ditches just to earn a few dollars for his parents. In a letter written December 7th 1940, he speaks of another job which seemed more profitable.

“ I had a job working in the Veterans’ Hospital in Aspinwall, near Pittsburgh. I worked there for a while, but the job did not appeal to me, because I felt I was in the wrong company. I worked in the kitchen 12 hours a day, continually on my feet. I decided to look for something not quite so filthy.”

 his mother tells of his eagerness to share the family burdens. “  Leo worked on the  census. he went to Pittsburgh daily for a week to get his instructions. He then spent a month walking the streets of Tarentum  Gathering data. He would tell me about the various people he met. Later Leo succeeded  and getting work at the Allegheny steel company in Brackenridge, Pennsylvania.  it was very hard work;  his hands were calloused. Each morning when I called Leo for work, the first thing he did was to get down on his knees and say his prayers. although  Leo was tired when he came home from work,  and although he worked different shifts, he would help me around the house. He was always willing to do whatever I told him, no matter how tired he was. He never liked to wash windows. He would always say jokingly, ‘mom, you know I don't like to wash windows.’  But he washed them anyway. He never used his father's car without asking for it. Each day he would look over his father's desk to see whether there were any insurance policies to be written out. He would relieve his father of this task and  would  then deliver the policies.  he made monthly reports and cheerfully did the unpleasant task of collecting payments from customers.  while Leo  was working in the Mill,  he scratched his chin some way and contracted an acid infection. For 4 weeks his face was swollen so much that he could scarcely see.  He suffered much pain, but never complained.”

 In a letter to a friend, Leo describes his work more in detail.

“ I am working now --  I mean I’m really working -- In a large steel mill with thousands of employees. It will be steady work as long as the National Defense holds out. My job is helping to inspect steel sheets. I had several  harder jobs in other departments,  but I like this one. A fellow must sacrifice a lot when he is working. We received a $0.10 an hour raise. I was happy about the raise because every little bit helps, and this will! The men threatened to strike if the raise did not come through.  our mill is making millions,  so I guess they can afford to pay us a little more.”

 Leo works at the allegheny steel  company  from January 18th 1941 two July 3rd 1942. at the same time he was taking  a course in accounting at night school in New Kensington, Pennsylvania.  he received an “a” rating in all branches.  He enjoyed his course even though it meant long hours of study till one o’clock in the morning.  he paid his own way through school.

 Most of the interesting observations on this phase of  Leo's life come from his mother.  now that he was at home, she had an opportunity to know him better. She says, “every afternoon when Leo is going to work from 4 to 12, he would turn on the radio at 3 o’clock to listen to a Bible story,  ‘the light of the world’.”  He did so with great attention. If he could not be there on account of his work, he would tell me, ‘mother, don't forget to turn on the program of Bible stories and tell me all about it when I get back.’  Leo enjoyed using the telephone. He would converse with his friends every evening. Sometimes he never knew when to get off the phone. When I reminded him that he should cut his conversation short, he would say jokingly, ‘oh, just a little longer, mom. I'll finish soon.’  Leo was always happy.  everybody loved him. He always had a smile for everyone. We never had to worry about him, and we could always depend upon him.”

  Leo was the first president of the Damien Club,  a parochial Youth Organization dedicated to Catholic action. He spent much of his time in the activities sponsored by the club. He introduced discussions on religious subjects during the meetings with a view to encouraging the young people to work as Catholic actioneers. He also showed a great interest in church music, especially because he was chosen to be the director of st. Clement’s choir.

 Leo speaks of some of the activities of the Damien Club in a letter to a friend (September 28th 1941).

“ our Damien Club  held a dance which was a grand success. It was the first fall dance in this community. Since I was chairman, I had to schedule the dance, contact the orchestra, print the tickets and posters, arrange write-ups for the local papers and radio station.  During the dance I worked in the kitchen, but managed to squeeze in a couple of dances. I used to dislike dancing, but now that I've learned a little more about it, I am taking a liking to it. But this night I didn't care whether I danced at all --  though I wanted to very much --  as long as the dance was a success.  And it really was, for we made enough money to hold a  banquet next month for the mothers and fathers of the members.”

 working at the steel mill gave him an excellent opportunity for Catholic action. At the supper table  he enjoyed relating his experiences with his fellow steelworkers. Since he was obliged to mingle with all kinds of people, he encountered much filthy talk and  Bitter antagonism against the church.  he argued points of Catholic Doctrine with bigots  and tried to encourage bad Catholics to abandon their carelessness. He broke up fights and  patched up differences  between working men. His good example reached areas where a priest’s influence could never penetrate.

 To this day Leo's friends speak of the impression his companionship left upon them. His courtesy, cheerful spirit and kindly ways won for him many such admirers.

on the occasion of his 19th birthday, Leo again writes to a friend:

“ it surely feels great to be 19 and to receive all sorts of hearty congratulations from dear ones. We had a grand time on my birthday. Of course, the party was for the family, more or less --  nothing big, but plenty of fun and surprises for me. It seemed as if I got a car load of presents. I still think people are too good to me. Furthermore, I know I do not deserve it. The birthday is over, but the memory of the generosity of those I love will ever remain with me.”

 Leo derived genuine Delight in making people happy.  He liked to surprise not only his parents, brothers and sisters, but even his friends with gifts at Christmas time, on birthdays, and other occasions.  he would make sacrifices to save some money in order to be able to help someone. He probably never turned down anybody's request for a favor which he was in a position to grant.    Having been in a mission seminary from his 14th to his 18th year,  Leo had little occasion for the kind of social activity teenagers  enjoy. he was not particularly attracted to any one girl,  though he was very friendly to all he chanced to meet or date.  However his letters to  Helene,  his first cousin, expresses a deeper affection than he ever felt for any other girl at this stage of his life.  Leo took Helene to an amusement park one Saturday and in his letter to her later (August 2nd 1941) he says:

“I was glad to hear you say that you enjoyed yourself at the park. I really did enjoy myself, too. I might have mentioned that I wasn't feeling so well that evening as a result of my work at the Mill. In spite of the way I felt, I really never had a better time at the park. If I had taken any other girl out there, I would have wanted to go home immediately. You are different. I admire you for your personality and I am proud you are my cousin. I am sure you will accept my compliments in the right Spirit.

as for the one-act play, I would be only too glad to send you one, but honestly, I haven't had time to work one out.  my job keeps me busy. This is the 10th day in succession I worked without any rest. And when I do come home to rest, I have something to do around the house -- spring cleaning, you know.

 Well, I'm finally learning to dance. Some nice girl offered to teach me. I had my first lesson. It seems so easy to dance. She said I was doing well, so I'm glad. These are private lessons with her new recording machine  and latest songs. I only wish it were you doing the teaching.

 I am proud of you, Helene, and I'll be still more proud when I see you receiving your high school diploma. Well, Charming cousin, you must pardon my Interruption for a closing word, but I must be at work at 4 p.m. I'll be thinking of you.”

 baseball still remained Leo's favorite sport. He caught for the  Tarentum American Legion baseball team in 1939 and 1940. The team won recognition in the locality, so much so that a few of the players were chosen to go to the baseball farm of the New York Yankees at Butler, Pennsylvania. Leo was one of the group. The Boys probably felt the competition at the farm too keen for they returned very much disappointed That they were unable to make the grade.

 reading of the classics and  current news magazines was another hobby Leo  fostered. He painstakingly copied memorable passages from his readings. He also collected clippings in a large scrapbook or  copied  sections from literature and his current reading which impressed him most.

 Leo found much of his relaxation  In listening to radio programs that featured semi-classical and the finer type of popular music.  he usually read while listening to these programs. His list of some of the tunes he liked best includes the following numbers: “Ave Maria” by Franz Schubert, “tales of the Vienna Woods”, “the Blue Danube”, “I dream of you Jeannie”, “Santa Lucia”, “La Paloma”,  “song of the Volga boatmen”, “the Lost Chord”, “The Lord's Prayer”, “Ah, sweet Mystery of Life”, “Ol’ Man River”.

 just as he enjoyed the beauties of nature -- the flowers, trees, hillsides, streams -- Leo delighted in the rare Beauties contained in a lovely song or an orchestral composition or an operetta.  When with his friends he was known to derive a great deal of pleasure seeing the popular numbers of the day.

 Leo's quest for beauty also entered into the realm of art. He had a collection  Of copies of paintings, portraits and Landscapes. He had a special attraction for religious art, most of which centered around our lady.

 apparently God never wanted Leo to be without a cross for very long.  this is God's way of reminding us that we are not made for this world and that we have here no lasting city.

 On July 23rd 1940 this headline was spread across the front page of the Valley Daily News, the  tarentum newspaper:  “boy watches twin sister drown. Girl, 10, is victim of river.”

 The news report went on to describe the tragedy:  her first trip to the bathing Beach along the breakenridge Waterfront, yesterday afternoon, resulted in the drowning of Mildred Lovasik.  The little girl, accompanied by her twin brother, Milan, had left home about 2 O’clock for the beach. she could not swim.

 “she told me she was going to walk out until the water came up to her neck,” Milan said. “I watched her go out... I saw her head sink. I waited for her to come back.”  after waiting a while, the boy told a young man nearby, “my sister’s out there.”

 The youth shouted the news to others on the beach and search began. In a few minutes the girl's body was found in Fairly shallow water about 20 feet from Shore. Fireman worked on the child with an inhalator for 2 hours. In the meantime a call was sent out for Physicians. The pastor of Saint Matthias Roman Catholic Church of Natrona was among the first to arrive  And administered extreme unction.

It was estimated that there were more than 150 young men, women and children bathing at the beach  When the tragedy occurred. The little victim was a member of st. Clement's church and was a pupil in the sixth grade of st. Clement’s Parochial School.  two years ago she served as the symbolic “bride” when her brother, father Lawrence, celebrated his first mass in St Clement's church.  It was a happy occasion for the Lovasik family, the entrance of Lawrence into active missionary service. Tomorrow morning that grief-stricken family will gather again in the solemn atmosphere of st. Clement’s and the young priest, who rushed home from Boston, will again mount the altar steps. His purpose will be a sad one, for he is to be celebrant at a solemn Requiem Mass for his sister Mildred.

 Mildred was the daughter of mr. and mrs. Stephen Lovasik. In addition to her parents she is survived by six brothers and sisters -- father Lawrence, mrs. Stephen Kristofik (Wilma), Marcella, Leo, Raymond and Milan. Burial will be in st. Clement’s Cemetery.

mother had her own story to tell about the tragedy and the part Leo played in helping her accept it.

“ I was ironing in the kitchen and Leo was sitting across from me talking to me. My little boy Milan, who was 10 years of age and a twin to Mildred, came in. His eyes filled with tears, he stared at me, unable to speak. Finally he spoke in a low voice, ‘Mildred has drowned’. I screamed. I asked him where he was and he told me ‘downstairs’. Leo  ran to my side and held me as I was speaking to the floor. ‘No, mama,’ Milan continued, ‘she is  not downstairs, she is at the River on the beach.’

 Leo at once took the car and drove up to the river, which was about a mile from our home. He identified Mildred, then called a priest. When he saw there was no hope, he notified The Undertaker. He later made all the arrangements for her casket and clothes and insisted that the Undertaker should not bring the body home until the following morning when I would be strong enough to bear this trial. He was gone about two hours. When he returned, he tried to Console me by saying that everything possible was being done for Mildred; finally he broke the news that she was really dead.   father Lawrence came from Boston and had the Requiem Mass and burial services. Leo and Raymond served at the  Mass. Just two years previously Mildred stood at the communion railing and gave a little speech  as father was about to say his first mass, for she was his little  “bride”, who brought the golden paten on a silk cushion at the offertory of the mass and offered it to him. Now she was lying on the same spot, dressed in the white bridal dress she wore then. It was father who spoke now and, in her memory, began his short talk with the words of Jesus: ‘let the little children come unto me, for of such is the kingdom of heaven. ‘“

 to give further details about this tragedy would only disturb the touching account a broken hearted mother gave concerning the loss of her youngest child. Perhaps this was God's reason for blessing   her with twins -- he had  in mind to take one to himself in the flower of her innocent childhood so that he might leave the other to be a consolation for this mother. My own final recollection of this first death in the family was Mother's words as we walked together from Mildred's grave. She took my arm and made a supreme Act of resignation to God's will: “God is good. He knows what is best. May his holy will be done.” Immediately I pictured mother at the communion rail each morning where she derive such courage from the heart of her Eucharistic Savior.

Leo's Presence at home was a source of great consolation to his mother. They talked together with the greatest ease. He was always willing to help her whenever he could. She appreciated his support later when her own mother died. She says: “when mother died, Leo came to consult me. He put his arms around me and said, ‘don't cry, mother. God wanted her, so she had to go.’ This happened three months after Mildred's  Death.  one day I fainted. Leo rushed to me and helped me; he rubbed my hands and face with water. Leo was always near me to  Console me during these trying days.”

Leo's mother speaks of the time he wanted to enlist in the Marines.  “Leo wanted to enlist in the Marines because he wanted the stiffest training possible. He felt so bad when I would not give him permission to enlist. After he was drafted, I gave him permission to go for an examination for the Marines. He was rejected because two of his teeth were missing. I told him to try another doctor, perhaps he would pass him. He said, “no, mother, if I cannot get through in the honest way, I'll go to the Army as a drafted Soldier. I can't get over it -- for two missing teeth they won't let me join the Marines.’”

Then one day in July of 1942 his notification arrived from the draft board. Mother was much concerned when he picked the Army Air corps. He explained that the Army did the picking because he was physically qualified, and that he felt safer up in the sky where he would be closer to God and our lady. With a mother's presentiment of what might happen, she made her prayers for Leo more frequent and more earnest. She could not erase from her memory the words he spoke to her when he decided not to go back to the Seminary: “mother, God must have something else in store for me -- another ideal. With the help of the Blessed Mother I'll reach it, whatever that ideal may be. So don't worry, mother, everything will be all right.”

Our lady did guide him to “another ideal” -- and it was to be found in the United States Army Air corps.

chapter 5

Air corps Christopher

Early in July 1942, Leo began his six weeks of basic training in the US Army at Miami Beach, Florida.  Having seen his Boyhood ideal to reach the holy priesthood gradually Fade Away in a maze of doubts and external circumstances, he was convinced that God still had some “new ideal” in store for him. He expressed it in a letter to a friend:

“I can't help looking into the future, especially since it means so much to me. You probably can't understand why I should want to look forward to something that might prove cruel and destructive if I should go to battle. I look at the matter in a different light. The ideal I treasure in my heart and ever hold up before me Urges me on, not to an objective of Destruction, but to an objective that is based on truth and Justice and charity. I cherish the honor and duty to defend those I love At home and to fight for the continuance of our way of life here in our beloved America. I can't help feeling in my veins The Surge of enthusiasm and patriotism  Of a red-blooded American. We met have inherited this loyalty from our God-fearing ancestors….”

  thus in Leo's own words, his new idea was two-fold: first, to strive for “an objective based on truth and Justice and charity” -- which meant being a Christ-Bearer to his fellow men; and, second, “to defend those he Loved at home and to fight for the continuance of our way of life” -- which meant being ready to die for his country and for the principles of Liberty for which it stands. since he could not serve Jesus Christ as his priest, he was determined to serve him as a Christopher. He would go into the mud and noise of the marketplace to do his part as an individual to restore the love and truth of Christ to the mainstream of his private and public life. He would not water down his principles or standards Though he should walk among men were opposed the  principles of Christ. No matter what his position in the Army might be, there would be something constructive that he could do, under God, to raise the level of humanity and Lead it to God.

 the following verse which Leo frequently used might be called his “Christopher prayer”.

“ Build me straight,  o worthy Master.  Staunch and strong, a goodly vessel, that shall laugh at all disaster, and with wave and Whirlwind wrestle.”

 never before did Leo have to wrestle with wave and Whirlwind more than in the army. One expression of his Christopher Spirit was his determination to defend the principles of Christ, no matter how great the odds he had to work against. For instance, he made it a point of honor that he would never soil his conversation with an off-color story. If he was not in a position to change the trend of the conversation, or leave, he at least refrained from encouraging the Story-teller by his interest. He often remarked in his letters that his attitude of not being interested in Coarse entertainment had brought him no small measure of humiliation.

In his own way Leo carried on a kind of one-man Campaign against the objectionable literature that was being peddled in the various Army Camps. He Used  some of his spending money to buy Catholic magazines and pamphlets which he would drop off in the barracks wherever a Soldier might chance to reach for something to read. On the other hand, whenever he could, he secretly confiscated suggestive pictures and dangerous literature that was rampant in almost all the camps. He worked with the Chaplain of the post who suggested Ways and Means of eliminating temptation to which so many young men were subjected.

one of  Leo's Hobbies was reading Catholic pamphlets, which not only helped him to know and appreciate his  faith still more, but also pointed out to him the many dangers he would meet with along his way in life, and the various aids God gave him to preserve his Young Heart pure And Happy. Good reading  made him  Direct his life according to the sound principles of the church that it might square with Christ law of honor and purity.

Leo had a picture of Sir Galahad whom he held up as an example to imitate in his own kind of Knighthood. Beneath the picture was the Text “his strength was as the strength of ten, because his heart was pure.”

For the sake of good fellowship and sociability, Leo would take a drink of wine or beer, but never went beyond that. He felt as many others do that among young and intelligent people drink was in no sense necessary for a good time. He was cheerful by Nature. he  sought good clean fun and Pleasures which did not backfire.

 a soldier is left very much to himself in the practice of his religion.  during his training in the Army, Leo learned to appreciate more than ever what his Faith meant to him. Army life was a test for the strength of his faith and convictions. He made great sacrifices at times to get to confession each week and to mass and Holy Communion at least every Sunday, or daily whenever that was possible.

at various times in his letters he speaks of encouraging his buddies to go to mass and confession, and of tactfully bringing a fallen-away Catholic back to his duties.

“ I visited some beautiful churches in st. Louis. Last Sunday I took a soldier to church with me. He is a Catholic, yet has never practiced his religion. Which hung around together. I am gradually getting him back to the Fulfillment of his religious duties.”

 Even some of his non-catholic friends attended Mass on Sunday together with him. He instructed a non-catholic in the truths of the Catholic faith and  thus prepared him for his reception into the church. In the spirit of fun his buddies nicknamed him  “Leo the prophet”. The “prophet” was not at all eccentric, odd, or prudish, but “down to earth” in trying to follow out Christ principal. He was family and sincere, even boyish and full of merriment. His disarming wave made it difficult for anyone to be really sarcastic or malicious.

Del Rio was the only Catholic on a crew of  11 Airmen, he succeeded in persuading his buddies to name their B-24 Liberator bomber the “Valiant virgin” in honor of the mother of God.  in a man's way he explained that the Virgin Mary, being  God's mother, had a great power and would surely Grant her protection  in  battle if each man on the crew would breathe a prayer  to her occasionally, especially when danger threatened. with respectful pride enthusiasm they painted the words “Valiant virgin” in large white letters on the nose of their bomber. it was probably the only aircraft in the army or navy that  bore the  name of our lady.

 as a silent reproof to questionable pictures of pinup girls that were often hung on the walls of barracks and aircraft, Leo kept a Miraculous Medal of the Immaculate Conception over the controls of His Radio apparatus. The metal was small,  yet it caught the attention of each soldier who passed by or sat down to talk with him. When necessary, an explanation was given. An explanation was not always necessary. The reminder Was sufficient to raise the thoughts of a soldier to something Noble and good. The apostolate was effective -- as only God could testify -- in helping to bring back an awareness that the United States was founded as “this nation under God”, and that it will flourish only if it remains such as our founding fathers intended that it should ever be.

6 weeks of basic training at Miami Beach, Florida, had passed quickly, and by early August Leo found himself scheduled for a 14 week course in radio work at Scott Field, Illinois, which he describes in A letter to his mother.

“ the last time I wrote to you, mother, i was at Miami Beach, Florida, where I spent about six weeks of basic training;  now I am at Scott Field, Illinois, about to begin a 14-week  course in radio work. As you know, radio operators are stationed either on land or in airplanes. I must first study the code which is used for wireless Telegraph. The work is very interesting, and I enjoy it. Students take their classes in three eight hour shifts each day. I applied for a Clerk's job in Miami and this is what I received. I feel sure God wanted it that way; that is the reason why I am satisfied.” ( Scott Field, Illinois, August 18th 1942)

Shortly upon his arrival he was made captain of the barracks in spite of his  mere twenty years and was forced to supervise men many years his senior. Genuine respect and consideration for them, however, soon won for him their wholehearted cooperation, as he explains:

“I Was Made captain of our Barrack yesterday, mother. I am responsible for each soldier in my charge and give my report each morning. It is my duty to give orders that are handed down to me from higher officials. I must March ahead of our group during our daily hikes and see to it that all the soldiers March correctly, in file and In Step. If anything goes wrong in the barracks, I am the one to answer for it. However, if the barrack and the soldiers are ‘spic and span’ for inspection, nothing is said. Even if everything were perfect, the officer of inspection would simply say, ‘that's the way it should always be!’ So you see, mother, it is more of a responsibility than an honor, and leaves me with little time for myself.

mother, my birthday is approaching. On November 13th I shall be 21, in other words, a man. I feel proud of that but when I compare myself with the older men under my charge, I feel like a youngster, for some of these men are twice as old as I am and very few are of my own age. It seems queer that I should be chosen to supervise these men, who besides being so much older than I am, were probably bossed over many others in civilian life. Of course, I realize this and consequently have great respect and consideration for them; yet I do feel strange when I have to give them orders. But that is the Army, mother. I did not ask for this position; the men themselves picked me for it. They treat me very well. I am surprised to see how quickly they respond to my orders and how wholeheartedly they cooperate with me even in difficult situations. I am very grateful for this spirit, since it makes my task so much easier.

 May Jesus and Mary bless you with gracious favor, and may they shelter you in their love!”

( Scott Field, November 7th 1942)

Leo was conscious -- As we all ought to be -- of his personal and practical responsibility of doing his part as an individual to make Christ's love and Truth reign in the hearts and lives of the people with whom he lived. he did not expect results too soon, but he never forgot that God would bless his simple and personal efforts to be a Christ-Bearer among his fellow men, even when it seemed that he was making little Headway. He hoped that his stand for what was right would have a far-reaching effect in time.

Our Lord's teaching is the foundation of the Christopher movement. He once said, “you are the light of the world.... Let your light shine before men, in order that they may see your good works and Give glory to your father in Heaven”. (Matthew 5:14). Leo's example was a Light to the many soldiers he met in the Army -- boys that were of different religious beliefs And temperaments, good boys and bad boys. That light was fed by the streams of Grace which issue forth from the Heart of Jesus in the Eucharist.

“ I feel much happier today because confession, holy mass  And Holy Communion filled my heart with spiritual joy and contentment.... I felt so happy  kneeling there alone  before the radiant Tabernacle. Truly, I felt as if I were in a Haven of Glory. I asked Blessings on all of you at home. Moments such as these before the Blessed Sacrament are the only true consolation, Solitude, and peace a soldier can find nowadays. I Seek those moments at every opportunity that is given to me, for  there  lies My Hope and contentment.”

Leo had the habit of frequently  Turning his thoughts  heavenward in prayer in the midst of his work during the day -- a practice he acquired in the Seminary where it was customary to recite aloud the “quarter-hour prayer”, short acts of faith, hope, charity, Contrition and spiritual communion each time the chime clock announced the passing of another quarter-hour. During the long, weary hours of flying day and night, he had heart-to-heart talks with God and our lady. Devotion to the rosary was not neglected in spite of his many occupations, even though it had to be said while he was lying in the tail of a bomber.

Leo always Associated our lady with his moments of Union with Christ. In fact, it was she who  led him still closer to her son.

“ it is the Blessed Mother who gives me encouragement and strength to carry on especially when dark clouds rise and the grind  Of Army life becomes almost unbearable. I consecrate myself to her as a soldier during holy mass. I ask her to guide me safely through the dangers of warfare... Above all, I asked her to make me Saintly, pure, and happy; to make me a model Soldier, a man through and  through, not a coward. I wear her medal….”

 Leo, then, was a clean-cut American Youth,  Who Loved fun and action, yet never lost sight of the serious and Noble things of life. He was never satisfied with mediocrity in any undertaking even in sports. His desire to excel was the principle that guided him especially in his spiritual life.

 The source of his Christopher Spirit was his friendship with Jesus, to whom our lady had surely led him. Without this Union with Jesus through prayer and the sacraments he could accomplish little more than nothing, for it is altogether certain that no good work can be carried on without the grace of God.  Pope Saint Pius the tenth stated: “to restore all things in Christ by the apostolate of Good Works, divine grace is needed, and the Apostle does not get it unless he's one with Christ. When we have formed Jesus Christ in ourselves, then only shall we be able to give him easily to families and to societies. All those who share in the apostolate must have Then have a solid piety.” This is but another way of expressing what our lord said at the Last Supper: “he who abides in me and I in him, he Bears much fruit; for without me you can do nothing.”. (John 15:5)

Chapter 6

st. Louis sweetheart

on Sunday, September 20th 1942, at about 3 in the afternoon  Leo was standing in a crowded Forest Park Street  car in Old Saint Louis. He hardly noticed the car stopping at Laclede and  Euclid -- he was simply watching quietly, through the upper window and over the heads of the seated Passengers, The Changing scenes that flit by car windows. quite suddenly, the car turned a corner off Euclid on to Laclede. There was quite a jerk which caused many of the passengers to lose their footing. Leo found himself rather unbecomingly bumping shoulders with a strange young lady who just happened to be reaching for the same hand pole that he had grabbed, and obviously for the same reason, namely, to keep her smart looking two-tone “spectator” pumps firmly fixed on the floor.

“Oh, excuse me! Guess I wasn't expecting that  Turn,” he said apologetically.

“That's all right,” the girl Immediately added; “it couldn't be helped. I knew the turn was there but just lost my footing. It's so crowded.”

“Are the cars always like this? Some of us were on a car last night and it was packed. Everyone was in a very jovial mood then, too, just as now.”

“ I wonder if we were on the same car,” she continued with interest. “Mom, dad and I had been at the ball game and we had a grand time on the way home, for, as you say, everyone was talking to everyone else. Even the  motorman Entered into the fun.”

“we weren't at the ballpark, but we might easily have been on the same car, as we were coming from the Catholic USO up on Grand. Have you ever been there?”

“ oh, yes. I used to be a Hostess there. It's a grand place, isn't it?”

“Yes, it really is! You're a Catholic then?” Leo asked with a smile that indicated that he was pleased with what he heard.

 “Yes, I am. The group from our Parish has recently been switched to the main Uso as the muny Auditorium.”

“ Well, say now, that's good.” He paused, searching her face. “People seem to be clearing out. Shall we sit down when those two get off?”

nodding Assent, she stepped quietly Past him toward the back, giving him a moment to notice her closely -- her casual hairdo, clean, shining and dark, brushed and curling lightly, nothing stiff or made-up; a Chic tailored suit -- navy blue, a good color for her, he thought -- yes, blue, he loved Blue -- Mary's color. He had already seen, while standing next to her, that she was tall and well-built. He could almost wager she loved sports! she  looked  so  wholesome, beautifully wholesome!  half unconscious of his thoughtful  pause, He sat down next to her.

 they continued their conversation in an Easy, casual way: questions, answers, Comments,  and much laughter --  fresh, youthful  laughter that added a note of Joy to the usual buzz and familiar noises  of city street  Cars.  life seemed good. They were at home together, sharing and exchanging their thoughts, smiles, and aspirations, getting acquainted in such a way that strangers might easily have taken them for childhood sweethearts,  Bound naturally by years of close contact.

 but then suddenly, and all too soon, she looked out of the window and exclaimed, “oh, heavens! It looks as though it's  About time for me to get off.”

“ where did you say you're going?”  Leo interrupted.

“ The Uso at the Muny Auditorium.  I'm signed as Hostess there for the  Rest of the evening.”

“Perhaps we'll be seeing you at the Uso.”

 “That would be nice! Goodbye!” She added almost regretfully. “This is my stop.”

“ Goodbye! And thanks!”

 She pulled the bell and Rose to get off, flashing a smile and a wave as she left. A full realization of her absence did not break his Reverie, until a startling thought brought almost audible words to his lips, “gosh! I don't even know her name!”

the Forest Park Street car, after stopping and starting nearly 14 times, finally reached downtown St Louis and was nearly empty now of the many soldiers, Sailors, and other servicemen who, like Leo, were coming into town from Trent City, a special  Lodging in Forest Park for servicemen on leave.  but it could have driven Right off into the Mississippi River without having in the least Disturbed a certain airman whose Faraway look seemed still riveted on a girl in blue.  Had it not been for a couple of his buddies who called a greeting from the war memorial lawn as the car made a second stop on its return route, Leo might have dreamed right on back to the Forest Park again.

  the following Sunday was an especially exciting one since the Brooklyn Dodgers  And the st. Louis Cardinals were battling it out for first place in the National League. The afternoon found two attractive girls on the entertainment committee instead of serving in the canteen; they had a Center Spot among the crowd  that was gathered around the loudspeaker and scoreboard.  it was here that Leo spot in the girl he met in the streetcar, whose face you can never forget.

a few minutes later, she was looking up again into the smiling face of a square-shouldered air Cadet with taffy blond hair and smiling blue eyes, and through the haze and the noise she heard him saying, “hello! You do remember me, don't you? We rode together on the forest park car last Sunday, remember?”

She was dizzy. She almost wanted to cry, but she smiled  Instead said, “oh, hello! it's good to see you again. Ruth, this is -- oh! I'm sorry, I don't know your name,” she admitted blushing in embarrassment.

“Nor I yours,” Leo interrupted. “And that's a matter which requires immediate attention.” Then looking at the hostess button which was pinned to the color of her fresh white blouse, he pronounced slowly, almost reverently, “Mary Ann!” Then he lifted his eyes to her face and repeated, “Mary Ann. Your name is beautiful! My name is Leo.”

then Mary Ann smiled a little timidly and said, “well, since we know each other now,  How's for a game of ping-pong at the Uso?”

“I'd rather have just one dance first, if I may,”  he answered, holding out his hand to  Her. At the Uso  Leo caught only the light and Tender Touch of a young girl’s graceful movements as they dance to the sweet and popular “Moonlight Serenade” rendered on the jukebox by Glenn Miller and his orchestra.

All too soon some of Leo's buddies arrived and they all set out for their  Trip back to Scott Field.

“Blue Monday” at Miss hickey’s secretarial school on North skinker turned out to be anything but blue for Mary Ann. “how could anyone be blue?” she wondered now, as she sat at her typewriter beating out a soft rhythm with her fingers while she hummed aloud to herself! Mary Ann recalled Leo's promise to “write soon and plan another weekend together,” and she could hardly keep the glowing anticipation of that letter within the confines of her  own Bright Eyes.

On Tuesday,  Just as class was over, the office girl called Mary Ann to answer a personal phone call. Since rarely did anyone call her at school, her heart did a quick little flip as she picked up the receiver only to hear her mom's voice saying, “Mary Ann, just had to tell you, dear, you have a letter.”

“From Leo -- really Mom? Read it, will you?”

“ Well, hold the line a minute, honey, I left it lying on your dresser.”

 A moment later, she was back,  reading Softly:

“my Mary Ann:

 I've never had the pleasure of being acquainted with a person with so beautiful a name. It's obvious that Mary, being the name of God's own mother, is the most beautiful and precious that a girl could ever possess!

I don't have to tell you that I am most grateful for having made your acquaintance, do I, Mary  Ann?

 I'm sure that you have guessed that already. The few hours which I spent with you at the Uso still linger with me  in all  their first  delight, and I am looking forward to seeing you again as soon as possible.

 I am Headed for Chicago this weekend, and I hope to spend most of Sunday at Techny, Illinois, 20 miles Northwest of Chicago. Here's is situated a seminary where I studied for two years; my class in philosophy, is there Now, and I haven't seen any of them for nearly four years.

 next weekend, however, I intend to come Back to Saint Louis, and I would be very pleased to meet you again on that Sunday. I May meet you at the same Uso toward early evening, or if you desire, anywhere else -- that is, if it would suit you to have Me come. I would, of course, like to call for you at home, but that is out of the question this time, since very likely, I would lose myself trying to get there. Kindly let me know if May see you on Sunday then, Mary Ann. I am hoping you have made no other plans for that day.

May I take the Liberty to add that I enjoyed your company immensely, and that I have never met any girl either in st. Louis or elsewhere with whom I would rather spend an evening. You have so many Splendid qualities, Marianne. I am most eager to know you better and become acquainted with your cherished family.

 I feel that God, in his goodness, has allowed our paths to meet. May he Now guide them along together -- at least for a while -- that we may share more of his gracious love!

 Your new acquaintance in the Air corps, Leo”

 Mary Ann could hardly Mumble more than “thanks, Mom, I won't be long --” for something great and overwhelming was enveloping her -- something more than mere Delight, something more than just the joy of living, something that would take her many years to realize in its fullness. For the present, she knew only that she had a special reason for hurrying home to dinner.

she answered  Leo's letter early that same week and then carefully placed it in a small Cedar Chest on her dresser.

 Leo's request for another date was, of course, granted. They met, as planned by letter, at the golf course at the Uso. they spent many precious hours together, each time departing with a Keener expectation of the next visit.

in his letter of November 11th 1942 he says:

“ I certainly wish we could spend many more such enjoyable Sundays as we did last Sunday. The Simplicity and carefree spirit of the day afforded me the interior happiness I always craved. Wandering through the winding paths of the park in the midst of Nature's Beauty and then along the Lagoon has filled my soul with wonderful inspiration. The lights of the city looked like so many stars in the blue heavens; the fragrance atmosphere of nature, Like the reverential Stillness of the cathedral Sanctuary that instills into each faithful Soul kneeling there the fervor of holiness and Heavenly happiness; the grand satisfying pleasure of sharing my time with a person with a heart of gold -- these are the things I love….”

It was In early November that Leo wrote informing her that they would not be having many more weekends together since he was scheduled to take a 5 weeks Gunnery training phase in an aerial gunners’ school out west immediately after his graduation from Scott Field on November 20th. He suggested that on the following Sunday they meet at the arena, go ice skating, then make A tour  of forest park, taking in the zoo, Art Museum, Opera, Pavilion, and, of course, the Sleepy Lagoons which had always fascinated Leo by their tranquil Stillness amid the various activities of a city park.

Mary Ann's diary contains an interesting personal observation in connection with his last visit.

“We just couldn't let the day pass without making a visit to the cathedral, just three blocks from the edge of the park. There, too, silence reigned. As We knelt there before our blessed Lord, i whispered many a prayer for these two young Defenders of all that was good and dear to us Americans; and most of all, I thanked the Lord for that providential ride on the ‘renowned Forest Park Street car’ (as Leo called it), and pray that the Friendship we had formed -- one based on the simplest and purest sort of Love I had ever known -- might continue. My prayer Was Heard, and as I know now, God had drawn me closer to himself through this very admirable and amiable lad who called himself a knight of our Lady. We never really talked much about religion -- but actions speak louder than words; Leo was a shining example of all that a Catholic could ever hope to be, and I have no doubt that his example was an incentive to all with whom he came in contact, as it was to me. there was always a little religious touch at the end of his letters as he  entrusted me to the care of our blessed lady and her  Divine son. his letters were Treasures that not only I, but Mom and Dad, too, cherished. Our friendship was much too dear to be broken, so we resolved to write When time permitted, to pray for each other, and to trust in the dear Lord as to the Future.”

on November 21st, Mary Ann received a letter of thanks from Leo for the many hours of pleasant companionship that she had been willing to share with him.

“ I wish I could relive those precious moments of last Sunday, Mary Ann.  They were moments I often dreamed of for the future. I craved for such simple Pleasant moments --  wandering through the Grandeur of nature, strolling through quiet streets at early morning, hand-in-hand on the way to mass, observing a Sleepy Lagoon in a dreary mood, feeling the gentle morning breeze against my cheek, looking at the splendors of God's nature and rejoicing to be so fortunate as to be young and Alive. You encouraged these Pleasant musings, Mary Ann, and that is why I am positive I shall miss you very much.

Of course, that is not the only reason  Which shall Make Me Remember You in time to come. Mary Ann, you are the type of girl that any good and decent boy  craves for and wishes to have and hold as a constant companion. It is your simple, modest, appealing character and personality that draws. I am certainly am proud as well as honored to have spent so many enjoyable moments with you. Thanks, Marianne, from the bottom of my heart.

Your gorgeous cake arrived this morning, Mary Ann, and i’ll add, your gorgeous cake isn't anymore. You’d think I was Santa Claus this morning as I went over to the mailroom to pick up ‘a package’. I expected it to be a pair of Shoes from home. What a thrill to  Peer at the delicious cake through the cellophane covering. The minute I arrived at my room with the cake, it seemed the entire Barracks followed me in. Well, it only took about 5 minutes for it to disappear. I managed to get the last piece. You should have heard the ‘Yum, Yums’. Then I said, ‘boys, this is a specimen of pastry baked by the Forest Park bake shop on North Euclid’. But before I had a chance to say more, pumkin popped up with ‘my eye, Leo, I'll bet Mary Ann baked that herself, and I'd swear to it, too’. A thousand thanks, Mary Ann, for the cake. It was superb! You certainly contributed to my happiness on this my graduation day. I have often admitted to myself that people treat me much too graciously. I have never offered enough to receive so much in return. May I prove myself worthy to reciprocate in like measure. and surely, Marianne, if I am not capable of returning my gratitude to you, you may rest assured that the gracious giver above Shall compensate a hundredfold, for I shall not forget  to plead for you a million times before his throne.

 Yours  in fond esteem, Leo”

 in a letter From Salt Lake City, Utah, a replacement Center in the midst of the Rocky Mountains, Leo enclosed his graduation picture from Harlingen, all dressed in his flying equipment and a machine gun on his shoulder.

“ I picked out these miniature wings for you, Mary Ann. I do hope this little token, though it is practically nothing, appeals to you. Remember, Mary Ann, it is merely a symbol of my Ardent appreciation to you for all the happy times we had together. I am grateful Also to your family. I judge their nobility by your own Sterling character and admirable disposition. I close  with the wish that God  May graciously protect you.”

 Mary Ann could hardly wait to write her  Thanks for the cherished picture and also for the miniature pair of Silver Wings which he had sent as a token of his ever-deepening love and appreciation.

 in a letter to me Mary Ann penned her impressions at the occasion of Leo's graduation:

“ we continued our correspondence as Leo passed from one stage of training to another;  having completed his training he was graduated as an aerial Gunner, given the staff-sergeant rating, and those beautiful silver  Wings.  you know as well as I how that thrilled him: he had written asking special prayers that  he might succeed, not only because of himself, ‘ but for the folks at home’;  so I started going to mass and Holy Communion every morning before school for his intention, if it be God's holy will (  as Leo always prayed).  therefore, the news was equally dear to me as was the little, but oh so precious, Gift of a pair of Silver Wings. I was so grateful to the dear Lord that I gladly continued my trips to the cathedral each morning In Thanksgiving. You see, that is another way in which Leo brought me closer to Christ and his beloved mother. I had always loved them, but Leo's example just made me feel so much closer and dearer to them. The rest of the story you  well know, father. He went from one state to another, staying only for short periods in each, and before we knew it, he was on his way overseas.”

 on February 19th, another long letter arrived from the Davis-Monthan field in Tucson, Arizona --  a letter of apology for having failed to answer the several letters which he had received from her. He modestly requested a picture of Mary Ann -- “if you find it not too inconvenient to have one of those bill-fold  prints made”  for me. This she gladly did. He expressed his reaction on March 5th, in these words:

“ Mary Ann, you should have seen me when I opened your letter and behold your picture.  picture. I lost my breath. It is a perfect image of you. I see in your countenance, attractiveness and kindness, innocence and warmth. Your daddy will have competition now. I found a place for your picture in my wallet. When Dark Hours come ( and they will), when I feel blue and lonely or discouraged, your photograph will give me consolation and strength.”

 his Delight was overflowing in his next letter. He seemed so optimistic, so hopeful of seeing her soon on a furlough, that Mary Ann thought perhaps he really had prospects of  obtaining one in the near future, but with his very  next letter, which was postmarked from a new base in Clovis, New Mexico, came the disappointing news that this would be his last training base in the United States, and that he was receiving only a six day  furlough before his possible overseas shipment. In one paragraph, she seemed to  sense something of a prophetic  fright, like a little boy’s  fright perhaps, as she read,

“ gee, I hope things turn out so that I can stop off in St Louis to see you, Mary Ann. If I miss you this time, I might miss you forever and I do miss you. However, things will take their course for the best. Distance up to now has meant only a few hundred or a thousand miles apart. Soon it will mean an  Ocean’s wide expanse between us, Mary Ann.  oh, I shall miss you so, and yet I know each time you breathe a prayer God brings you close in spirit, and I kneel beside you, dear --  content that you are there. May your letters continue their marvelous affects even more in the future, when conditions will be more  grave. God be with you ever and Mary be close to you at all times! As ever yours, Leo.”

 she felt somehow that the possibility of Leo's stopping over in St Louis to see her was really too wonderful to wish for, but the words, “if I miss you now, I might miss you forever,”  filled her with an overwhelming sorrow too deep for Tears. She prayed that Night Before Our Lady’s altar in the cathedral, begging her guidance and protection For Leo and all who are serving their country at home and on foreign soil. She recalled as she knelt there how Leo had so often expressed his longing to visit the Famous Madonna shrines in Europe. He had long ago built a shrine for Mary in his heart. And Mary Ann realized how very much more she had come to know and love this heavenly mother since the example and inspiration of Leo had brought before her eyes  the gentle care of this lovely lady who had mothered God.

Chapter 7

 letters to a Praying Mother

 December 1942 -  May 1943

  Leo was deeply devoted to his mother and father, and often spoke of how wonderful they were. He loved them deeply and was constantly endeavoring to make them happy. No two people on Earth meant more to him. He wanted them to be proud of him.

 He   kept his parents  well informed of his experience in the Air corps. mother would read the letters to Dad, and then  both usually had a good cry together. Since his letters paint an accurate picture of his character, they Supply the best material for his life story, which consequently may be termed his autobiography. His mother best understood the sentiments of devotedness and love hidden in each sentence as he confided to her his joys  and Sorrows, successes and failures. He knew she  prayed for him earnestly and often, and at this stage there was nothing  he wanted more than prayers. He once wrote:

“ I feel strong when I remember that I can depend on your prayers at home.”

 He wanted prayers that he might be true to his God and His heavenly mother, that he might be true to his loved ones at home, prayers that he might be True to the cause to which he was dedicating his life:  the spreading of God's kingdom of Justice, love and peace among  Men.

Selected  soldiers --

“ well, here I am, mother, at my new home in Harlingen, Texas, just 28 miles from Mexico, after having traveled sixty-three and a half hours from Scott Field, Illinois. Only selected soldiers can attend the school. They must range within a certain height and weight --  not taller than 5 feet nine and  a half inches and not heavier than 185 Pounds.  their Vision must be perfect. I noticed that all students are almost the same height when we line up for formation. Men at Scott Field looked up to men who were chosen for aerial Gunners. You remember my telling you that only 18 out of 65 of our class  Qualified for the course. 10 of these 18 are with me here at Harlingen.

 Our new commanding officer of the Squadron spoke to us of our course in Gunnery. For the next two weeks we  shall have class work in Manning machine guns, turrets, Etc,  and studying the parts and operations  of guns. The third will be devoted to learning how to handle the guns, while the fourth and fifth week will be spent at target practice in the air. you see, mother, I shall fly after all. My schedule seems simple, but it will demand much studying. This morning I received 20 large books.  Now I really believe that I shall have to spend many hours of the night at my books. We begin school at 7:45 a.m. and go on till noon;  then continue again at 1 p.m. till 4:30 pm.  Whatever time is left may be used for study.  Besides, we must learn to distinguish our own American planes from enemy aircraft. Mother, this course offers me many advantages, but it remains to be seen whether I complete it successfully, because I must make certain grades in studies, a high average In shooting at targets, and be skillful  in using a gun before I can graduate. It hardly seems possible for me to grasp all this knowledge in only 5 weeks, because there is so much to learn. If others have done it, why can't I?

 pray that I May be successful in my course, if it be God's will. I'll try to do my share! I am depending on your prayers At home to back me up. God keep you all within the shelter of his Sacred Heart!”

( Harlingen, Texas December 5th 1942)

 soldier of Mary Immaculate --

“ yesterday, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, I found time to attend mass at 5:30 in the evening here at the post. It is the Blessed Mother who gives me encouragement and strength to carry on especially when dark clouds rise and the grind of army life becomes almost unbearable. I consecrated myself to her as a soldier during Holy Mass. I asked her to guide me safely through the dangers of warfare, To Aid me in all moments of distress, and To enlighten me along the many channels of study. Above all, I asked her to make me saintly, pure, and happy;  to make me a model Soldier, a man through and through, Not a coward. I did not fail to plead for all of you before her throne. I wear her medal. May she intercede for each of you with her son, our Lord!”

(  Harlingen, December 9th 1942)

A Christmas gift for mother and dad --

“ I feel much happier today because confession, Holy Mass, and Holy Communion filled my heart with spiritual joy and contentment.

Mother, this morning the chaplain announced that we shall celebrate Christmas with a midnight mass in our post Chapel. He also asked men who have experience in singing to volunteer their services in the choir for the occasion. This pleased me very much. I shall Attend the practices that i May enjoy this privilege. No doubt, many of the soldiers will receive holy communion then, for the priest asked each to offer Holy Communion for his parents as the dearest Christmas gift they can offer them. That is also my intention, mother, and I consider it a very worthy one, since I cannot offer you  And dad very much as far as material presents are concerned….  I was just wondering who would put up the Christmas tree at home this year since I am gone. I'll be praying for you and sharing your thoughts.”

 heartthrobs at Christmas --

“ I spend my days in the classroom, my evenings are my books, working hard continually. I have just finished my final examination which lasted 3 hours. What blessed moments followed when I returned to open my Christmas packages! All The splendid gifts  lay before me. I needed  no snow to put me in the spirit of this holy season, nor the tree, nor  lights that I enjoyed it home. The Heavenly Christmas light from above filled my soul,  and I was Refreshed by a blessed, peaceful feeling of  Delight.  as I opened each package, my thoughts wandered back home and I felt as if I were with you all again around our Christmas tree. I do not know how I can ever thank you all enough for the joy that you've given me this Christmas. Would to God that I could return such joy to you! Here in Camp I do not hear the beautiful hymns which should announce the coming of our dear savior,  yet I rejoice in the lasting memory of those blessed Christmas days at home, and that memory will prepare me to receive the Lord into my heart with holy happiness. May our Lord bless you all with his grace so that your hearts may be filled with Heavenly Joy! This is my most sincere wish for you this Christmas and throughout the new year.”

( Harlingen, December 20th 1942)

 for God, parents, and Country --

“ this is The first day of the new year. A year ago Today I never dreamed that I would be here, two thousand miles from home. God Alone knows where I shall be a year from today.

We had a little experience of war in reality  For we spent the entire day shooting guns  of various sizes.  I was surprised that I so easily became accustomed to it, for never in my young life did I have a gun in my hands. Perhaps the reason was the fact that I threw all my energy into the work I had to do as I had always done from the very beginning of my life in the army.  I know how proud you all at home would be if I would prove myself a worthy and Noble Soldier. What Joy I would feel if I could attain to a high rank!  I desire it not for myself, but for you all, because I find my greatest happiness in giving you pleasure. I know, too, that I would be able to help you more, since my salary would be 3 times greater than it was at home. I want you to send you at least as much as I earned while working In the mill. Our dear God will take care of us all, so let us not worry!”

 Doing God's holy will --

“ I have never been in an airplane in my life. I shall be pretty nervous tomorrow when I go up for the first time for target practice. I must make a good score if I want to get my ‘Silver Wings’.  Many soldiers are able to shoot well;  others are very talented and do not find it too difficult to make the grade. Perhaps I am not quite so fortunate. I know that I must work hard to reach my high goal. Mother, I will do it to make you happy. May God help me to do my work well according to His holy will! That is my only ideal, my greatest yearning, because God knows what is best for me. With his assistance and your prayers I must reach my goal according to God's purposes. May all things happen as he Wills! God give you his Joy!”

(Harlingen, January 1st 1943)

 first flight --

“ I was in one of the crews to fly on a mission in a large bomber early Saturday morning. As soon as the plane reached a certain point, I occupied the position of tail Gunner at the very bottom rear of the ship near a stationary machine gun which could be fired only while the Gunner was lying flat. From that position I had an excellent view of All Above, below, and on either side of me. Though the plane  Swung and swayed in the wind, I felt as comfortable as I would on a parlor couch. At 6,000 ft. over the Gulf of Mexico, each Gunner mounted his guns to a battery position and remained on the alert for instructions to fire. The bomber withstood every bit of the shock caused by the heavy machine guns. After the ammunition had been exhausted, We headed Homeward. having been quite shaken up from the heavy firing, I enjoyed relaxing on the floor of the bomber. It was a treat to admire Nature's Beauties from the clear heavens -- the vast expanse of waters of the Mexican Gulf;  the rugged Coastline dotted with Piers, docks, ships, and other objects;  the Fantastic shapes of the huge Cloud-banks, whose colors kept changing in the Rays of the morning sun. What wonders one can enjoy peering through the window of a bomber! I felt as if I were on top of the universe -- Small as a helpless bird, yet proud as a king viewing his domain with contented admiration. Yes, these bombers are Thunderbirds! They appear as gentle as Birds, yet they can burst forth death from the peaks of their guns.”

 Target practice --

“ mother, My next thrill was in an advanced training ship --  a plane much smaller than a bomber with only a two-man cockpit, from which protrudes just one machine gun which the Gunner handles while the pilot guides the ship.

 The following morning our Sky-board in the Assembly Hall designated my flying number, pilot, and time of takeoff.  When my time approached, I reported at the equipment room, where I received a parachute, a Mae West (an inflated tube used as a lifesaver),  flying Cap, and goggles. Having proudly donned the airman's attire, I proceeded to claim a machine gun, Which I carried out to the plane, where it was set in by mechanics. Then I gathered my belts of ammunition, flung them over my shoulder like an old-timer, and pranced  heavily Laden toward the Silver Eagle -- the Army ship. The officer gave me final instructions and then asked me whether I had flown before. ‘Only once, sir’, I replied; ‘ that was yesterday, in a bomber’. he added, ‘this will  give you a little different Taste of flying’.  I realized that when I observed that I had to fly without a canopy over my head. Having strapped myself in properly with two heavy safetybelts, I checked my guns. My position in the plane was directly behind the pilot, but I faced the tail of the plane. I had to operate a gun that moves freely in any direction. Goggles over my eyes, and ready for takeoff, I signaled to the pilot. As we roared along the runway, I began humming our Air corps theme, ‘off we go into the wild blue yonder, climbing High into the sun’. But there was no sun! It was still slumbering behind a dark blue Horizon. As we climbed 2,000, 3,000 feet,  our motor must have awakened the Sun out of his dreams, for I noticed The Gleam of his sleepy eye penetrate The Horizon in a glow of deep red, which was beautifully reflected on our silver ship And blinded many a nearby cloud. I   met the greeting of that Rising column of sunshine with a bright cheery smile, and cried out inwardly, ‘you look more magnificent up here than down there, mr. Sun!’ as I turned to the other side of the plane, I caught the radiantly colored clouds powdering up (as it were)  and arranging their golden hair in the reflected mirror of the early Sun.  I watched the cloud parade as we  Zoomed over the Great Gulf of Mexico as it seemed to emerge from the Crimson glare of the  Waters in the distant Horizon.

enough of this sightseeing!  the pilot flapped his wings, which was the first signal for me to shift my gun towards the sleeve-target, which was towed on a cable by another plane.  after loosening one of the safety belts  so as to be able to move about freely, I loaded my gun. Then I stood up and tried to shift the machine gun with my left hand, but the force of the violent wind made me sit down again. I released my tension on the grip-handles of the gun and with determination died at the weapon with both arms outstretched, then forced it over to position like a sack of potatoes.  I proceeded very quickly yet precisely to load my gun, charged it, and set the sight on my target, waiting for a signal to fire. Firmly braced against the side of the cockpit, I was on my toes, half in the plane, half out of it, struggling and fighting back at the Terrific wind current that raged against me. I remembered what one of our commanding officers told us in the lecture yesterday: ‘plunge the bullets into the target as if it were a  Jap or a Nazi.’  the wings flapped for a second time --  the signal to begin firing. I led the target till I located the  sight Dead on it,  and then ‘let ‘er have it’. The Recoil shock and jar of the gun was greater than I expected, so I leaned heavily against it and try to fill the sleeve-target full of countless worm holes. Having ‘spit out’ my first  belt of 100 rounds,  I motioned to the pilot that I was about to apply my second  belt. He peeled off and gave me ample time to reload before he approached the target again. This time I tried hard to hit more accurately in order to compensate for former  Misses. when my ammunition was used up, I signaled to the pilot. Immediately he  peeled off into a dive which sent a strange and empty sensation through me, and when I glanced up to see where I was heading for, the Earth seemed to be coming on to meet me.  A few dips then reversed the sky, Earth, and all that was around me. During all these Antics I never released my grip on the gun for fear of sustaining a broken jaw bone or a black  Eye, or even losing the gun. the 30-mile trip back to Camp was spent in sightseeing. I could have continued soaring through the beautiful Skies all day, viewing Nature's Splendors below and above.

‘A peaceful Sky, there are such things,’   I recalled called from a popular song;  and how I marveled at it. ‘A rainbow  high, there are such things,’  and I was thrilled by it that morning. ‘Have faith and trust in what tomorrow brings;  you'll reach the stars, because there are such things,’ The song continues. Believe me, mother, I do have confidence in it. I am willing to prove Its worth, even with my life. As I speed through the blue sky and Soar gallantly Through the Universe, I feel as if I were peering  dauntlessly in search of anyone or anything that may tamper with, endanger, or plot against the things we Americans love and cherish. I am absolutely certain that life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness --  the things we love so much, the things that men like myself sacrifice their human existence for -- shall continue to be realities in America. There are such things, and there shall  always be such things in America!”

( Harlingen, January 4th 1943)

 flying is safe --

 “Mother,  it is fun wandering through fleecy clouds and admiring their Serenity. Texas is noted for its beautiful Skies. I anxiously await the moment when I shall again head for that Blue Horizon where the mountains meet the skies. It is as safe and comfortable up there as it is on the 10th floor Apartment of a hotel. Many persons who have never been off the ground are inclined to believe that flying is dangerous and subject to frequent accidents. One must first make a flight to prove that this opinion is erroneous. After being in a plane for some time, you begin to regard it as an automobile, and you enjoy it just as much. So banish all fears, Mother. It is true the accidents occur. But don't they everywhere?

I am enclosing a Charming picture of  Saint  Therese, the Little Flower of Jesus, and also an appropriate prayer for the fighting forces of our country. I thought you might like to have these for I know how ardently you love the Little Flower. I Leave You In God's  Loving protection.”

( Harlingen, January 12th 1943)

Staff sergeant --

“ I just arrived from the graduation exercises wearing my ‘Silver Wings’.  I am now a staff sergeant and I have the right to wear the Insignia of this rank --  wings and four Stripes. What  Greater honor could be bestowed on a buck private  like myself then to be made a Staff Sergeant in the greatest air force the world has ever seen!  I have now  reaped the fruit of the many tedious hours I spent in sweat, toil, and study.

please pray for me, mother, that my new assignment may be a happy one, and somewhere nearer home. Pray that I may live up to the honor and dignity bestowed on me this afternoon. I am very thankful to God! May he bless you all, now and forever!”

 Making the best of it --

“ mother,  I arrived at Salt Lake City, Utah, this morning. It is useless to try to figure out the actions of the army, or the reasons for their peculiar steps. It did not take me six months to find that out! At any rate, I shall be contented, even  as I have  Been till now, and make the best of it. Strangely enough, if you determine to make the best of it, you will discover that you will get ahead toward success. So far I have been blessed with an abundance of  Graces and have received numerous privileges. I am most grateful for everything. It is God's doing, and I know he was answering your prayers all the while. I am deeply indebted to my many friends for their kind prayers.”

 Conversing with Jesus --

“ I went to confession last night. As I entered the chapel, the organ  was playing soft  chords which added to the warm and appealing atmosphere of that  Sacred place.  the Beautiful music continued during my whole visit. The altar was splendidly decorated with colorful flowers and illuminated by floodlights. It really was a most peaceful and comfortable spot where I Could converse with my savior and tell him all my Troubles. As I listened to  the  sweet music,  my mind wandered in memory and I vividly recalled the many Graces the Lord has bestowed upon me since I entered the Army six months ago,  and I realized how closely he had guarded me. He had given me many excellent opportunities for which I am most grateful. May the Sacred Heart shelter you all, and may the mother of God intercede for you as ever before!”

( Salt Lake City, Utah, January 16th 1943)

 depending on prayer --

“ mother, this afternoon we were called out and each of us was assigned to a bombardment squadron. My name was called and I was placed with the 61st bombardment Squadron, which is stationed in this field. Now my address for the next two months will be:  Davis-Monthan field, Tucson, Arizona.

I spent all day working at the radio, mostly copying code. Between the 9 hours of study, we had calisthenics, drills, and other diversions to relieve our minds. I am a senior operator and I have an assistant operator under me. Now I Must apply all I have learned up to the present time. I am confident that with God's help I can be of service to our country as a radio operator. I feel strong when I remember that I can depend on your prayers at home.”

( Tucson, Arizona, February 11th 1943)

Moonbeams and guns --

“ this afternoon I went up in a large four-engine bomber. I acted as assistant radio operator, while another radio instructor was showing me how to handle the equipment. I was scheduled to fly again this evening at 8:20, but the plane was not ready just then, so the flight was canceled. That saved me some hours of sleep, since each flight We make lasts about four hours. That would have kept me in the air till midnight;  still I was scheduled to fly again tomorrow morning at 8:00. You see, mother, sometimes we are engaged almost 20 hours a day, working and flying.  

this evening when I reported to my plane before flight, I entered through the bomb bay doors (doors out with which bombs are released), and a silver beam of light met my eyes. As I looked up to see where the illumination was coming from, I noticed a full moon  peering in through the glass of the gun turret between  2 machine guns.  the sight of the Moon gaining entrance into the plane was enchanting, but the reflection of its  beam on The Guns of Cold Steel brought upon me the ugly feeling of War, which seemed to turn the  scene of beauty into in a nightmare of Disaster.”

(Tucson, February 12th 1943)

 Busy --

“ mother,  you will never know how happy your grand and interesting letter  Made me yesterday.  I was very anxiously waiting for it. It cheered me and gave me so much encouragement that I felt I was able to conquer everything. I consider myself the happiest man on Earth. Thanks, Mother!

Mother, I am kept very busy from early morning  till late at night, flying three times a day, with only four hours off between flights. If I am not flying, I must attend school. I have no time to write to anyone except to you. But I enjoy my radio work, mother, and I learn more each day. I love to be kept busy this way, because it not only makes the time pass quickly, but it also keeps my mind occupied and clean and elevating channels,  instead of allowing it to be subject to many unfavorable situations which a Soldier Encounters in the Army. I always feel so good after returning from a flight, for I feel  I have accomplished something great, and I am proud of it.”

( Tucson, February 16th 1943)

  peace, the message of the Skies --

“ this evening the sky  Was enchanting, mother. A large full moon lighted up the firmament. Many white fluffy clouds seems to Cluster about it  as they wandered lazily through night’s Pathways. I could behold this wondrous Vision through a small door that opens on top of the  bomber just over my radio apparatus.  when I was not busy with messages, I sat there and stared at the sky lost in admiration, trying to count the glittering stars, watching the Silver Lined clouds Smile as they passed before me. Many thoughts crowded into my mind as I marveled at the beauties of nature God has given us for our enjoyment. How calm and peaceful is the  bright Velvet Sky at night! If knows not  the threat and disturbance of enemy planes. All this is worth fighting for, mother; And it is scenes such as These that seem to  pour moral strength and courage into my veins in order that I may do my part to keep the skies undisturbed.  nothing is too great a price to pay for such a Celestial treasure. I would love to see people look up to the sky oftener and admire its Splendor and tranquility, which is but a reminder of what God has destined for them, instead of being compelled to search the skies continuously for enemy bombers.  Perhaps  thoughts like these May strike some people as being silly, but a fellow who is fortunate enough to enjoy the Privileges I have, cannot help but think that way.

 I know you are overburdened with work. I always think of you with painful regret in my heart that I cannot be at your side to relieve your burden just a little. But I am sure you all see that my present job is more important right now.  Peace means more to us than any work, for when peace is restored we shall again work side by side. May almighty God grant us that happiness in the very near future! When I finish my work here, I shall joyfully undertake that which awaits me at home. All my strength must be concentrated on doing my duty in life while there is still time to crush the spirit of hatred which strives for the Mastery of the world. Just as surely as the sun will rise on the morrow, so certain am I that our beloved America, to which I Dedicated my young life, will carry the torch of peace and destroy the serpent of War;  open the heavens, as it were, so that the birds May again sing without fear and Angels’ songs will Resound once more, ‘peace on Earth to Men of Goodwill!’”

an anniversary present --

“ I did not forget that you would celebrate your wedding anniversary soon, so I bought a gift for you and Dad. It is not half so much as I would like to give you. You know that my greatest and best gift for you is in my heart. I trust I have given you many proofs of that. My prayers are with  you unceasingly. May our dear Lord grant you many happy and holy years together! May he help you especially during these trying times. May he Grant you the happiness of welcoming me back soon --  not only for one week, but always --  as a strong and healthy son who will assist you and serve you through many years. What that I were near you today, that I might feel some of the happiness that is in your hearts!

I have just now received a letter from father L. I have been anxiously waiting for it, since he always has words of advice and encouragement which would benefit any Soldier. When I finish his letter I am more keenly aware of the ideals According to which I must live; and sometimes I find that I have drifted a little from them. his letters show me the right way back. He mentioned that he had said Mass for me, and that his prayers for me Are many.

I pray daily for you all;  for all you need, that health, happiness, and success be yours. May God's sacred blessing be with you for all years to come!”

( Tucson, February 18th 1943)

Proud to be busy --

“ I have been as busy as ever, mother, with a dozen letters to answer and no time to answer them. I have been attending school half the day; half was sent flying. We are working about 14 to 16 hours each day, and that leaves no time for foolishness, and sometimes hardly enough for rest. But I am not complaining, mother, just boasting, for I am proud to be busy when it is for a worthy cause.”

 Piloting a bomber --

“ perhaps you will find it Hard to believe that I actually drove a large bomber the other day. As I was seated at my radio, the engineer came to me and said that the pilot wanted me to fly the plane a while to relieve him. Naturally I laughed, for i thought he was joking. However, he assured me that what he said was true. As I approached, the pilot Rose from his seat and told me to take over. I was Stunned,  for I knew nothing about piloting a plane, especially not one of the largest kind of bombers in the world. I sat down behind the controls, while the co-pilot who had his controls in hand, told me how to operate the ship. I followed his instructions, and before I knew it I had the huge bomber in my power, making it turn  Wherever I wished.  I was making left and right turns, circling over the high mountain ranges of the desert. We were traveling about 125 miles per hour at an altitude of 8,000 to 10,000 ft. I sat almost Breathless for the first 10 minutes as I watched the plane maneuver while I controlled it. It was almost as simple as driving our car, mother. My pilot Lieutenant told me that I would get many more chances to Relieve him. May God shelter you all and bless you abundantly!”

( Tucson, February 19th 1943)

 visit with Father Edwards --

“ after a 5-hour flight last Sunday morning, I received a 10-hour pass and went to the City of Tucson.  I intended to stop at st. Mary's sanatorium where a missionary of the Society of the Divine word, whom father L wrote about, was a patient. he labored in the Philippines about 10 years, after which he had to leave the island because of his failing Health. The hospital was 2 miles outside of town, so I boarded a bus to reach it. The sanatorium is a Catholic institution, constructed in Spanish style. The beautiful building of light cream color is surrounded by tall palm tree and gorgeous Western flowers. The birds are continually singing in the trees -- and ideal spot for recuperation  and Rest.

 father Edwards was resting When I appeared at his room, and he cordially invited me to enter. We had a very pleasant chat for about 3 hours. I listened intently as he related his experiences in the Philippines. He is a most interesting person and a wonderful writer. He has already written three books about the missionaries in the islands. He wanted me to come again soon, and I promised I certainly would. He offered me some books to read, but I had to decline because I find very little time for reading. He gave me an attractive copy of the New Testament  as a remembrance of our visit.”

( Tucson, February 28th 1943)

 “wings” for mother --

“ mother, I am sending you my wings. Please take good care of them, for I consider them a treasured remembrance, and I know they will be the same to you all at home. I've always considered it a distinguished honor to wear them, and now I feel that it is an even greater honor for me to present them to you, mother --  to be all your own, that you may hold and cherish them as a little gift for me, as a token of gratitude to you for having made me deserving of the privilege of wearing This Magnificent symbol of our country and our Air Force. I  I am extremely pleased to  present them to you, because you really deserve to wear my wings for the great and heroic Spirit which you are displaying, and for the many motherly prayers you breathe, which alone enabled me to attain the honor of wearing these things. May I ever Be a credit to you and the rest of the family, and  May  this token Be but the beginning of even greater achievements, if it be God's will!”

 Daily Mass --

“ last Friday evening I went to confession. when the priest came out to say holy mass there was no one to serve him, so I immediately offered my services. We serve in uniform. I offered my Mass and communion for you and Dad. After mass, the priest, who was a captain, thanked me for having volunteered to To serve. Each evening masses are scheduled in our Chapel at 5:30. We have no  masses in the morning, except on Sundays. I remember you all before the altar each day.

 I have to attend a lecture in secret code now, mother, so I must close. I feel the effects of your devout prayers and I am ever grateful to all of you. God is indeed hearing your prayers. May he Grant you his love and protection!”

( Tucson, March 11th 1943)

 clean fun --

“ we left Tucson yesterday on a Troop Train  which carried several hundred of us to New Mexico. The combat Crews were assembled, for officers, Pilots, Bombardiers, and Navigators traveled with us.  We covered about 500 Miles. Every mile of the trip was spent in a Jolly mood, since all my crew buddies were together with me in one compartment and they are the jolliest and most funmaking group of fellows I have ever met. Honestly, mother, since I was assigned with them I have laughed as much in this short time as I have in a whole year. I have never come across such a jolly and spirited crew since I came to the Army. You will never know how fortunate I feel.

Last evening I had a pass to go to town, but I did not go, for I wanted to attend the evening mass at 7 and go to confession. The priest here is a typical Irish Pastor, very friendly and willing to help. His sermons are marvellous, especially during the Lenten Services. he had a few words for the soldiers yesterday about keeping on the right path and thinking often of loved ones back home In respect to their  conduct here in Camp. Some boys are easily led to wander into trouble and objectionable company since they are away from home, where there is no one to look after them and tell them what is wrong. I like to hear the chaplain speak about such topics.

Yesterday instead of drill several Crews of our Squadron organized mushball teams and played one another. It was the first time for a long while that I have played. The pilots, Bombardiers, Navigators, and the rest of the enlisted Men played together, regardless of whether one was an officer or Buck private. Our crew played another crew that usually flies the same time we do. The pilots of the two Crews bet some money on the winning team. Well, our side won.  the score was 4-0. I managed to get a good swat at the ball and hit a home run with another man on base. tonight our crew is scheduled to play basketball with the same team. I hope we can beat them in that also.”

  Teamwork --

“ I am very grateful that my entire crew is here with me. We all have grown to like each other. We keep  together closely  in teamwork,  not only while we operate in the air, but also when we are not flying, for then we pal around together and have a grand merry time. Each member will remain with the crew as long as this war lasts, unless some unforeseen circumstances cause division.

within the last two days we have been kept busy attending lectures which were termed very important. They were concerned about what we Flyers should expect when We reach the theater of combat, and what sort of action we should look forward to. Then advice was given on how to escape when captured by the enemy, and  If forced down by the japs, what methods to employ. These lectures were most interesting. What a soldier reaches these phases of combat training, he begins to realize fully   that there is a war going on and just what it is all about. All the progress and drawbacks of our armies are frankly discussed and studied. I could go on telling you thousands of little incidents, but that would be giving out military information.

Wednesday Marked the first day of Lent, even in the Army. Ashes were distributed at the base chapels, and we shall have the way of the Cross twice each week. It is surprising how many enlisted men and officers attend the services at church each day. I shall be present at the Lenten services in the chapel this evening. It takes me about half an hour to reach the chapel From my barracks on a truck, so I must plan my schedule early. I believe it is time for me to go to confession also. I would not neglect that for the world. I will pray for you before the Tabernacle as I Always do during my visits with my savior. May God keep you in his Divine custody.”

( Alamogordo, New Mexico, March 18th 1943)

Dreaming of home --

“  while paging through a magazine in the ‘day-room’ yesterday  I chanced upon this picture which I am enclosing.  It represents a soldier boy dreaming of home. The poem that accompanied it appealed to me also, mainly because the same thoughts run through my mind time and again. The poem aroused my sentiments and immediately I resolved to send it home in place of a nice letter. I wish you would not throw it away, mother, for someday I would like to read that last verse when I come home -- for good!  

‘Hey, Mom! Oh, it's so swell to see you!

 And Dad! Lookin’ younger every year!

Why, Jennie girl, you're a young woman!

Spunk, old boy! Nuthin’ ever happens to you an’ me!

 Home! An’ I'm back! An’ it's all here -- just as I left it!’

 Mother, Here are two more pictures of a soldier. The illustration of a soldier boy in the upper berth brings back to my mind a similar Incident that occurred to me while traveling on a Pullman from Harlingen, Texas, to Salt Lake City, Utah. We traveled three nights, and twice I happened to have the upper berth, just like the soldier in the picture. I believe my  thoughts ran along the same lines that night. I really was not Lonesome,  for I had my buddies on the train with me, but I was dreaming  of home and of the Grand and happy moments I spent with you and the rest of the family, mother. No one was forgotten in my memories; I missed you all!

 that same experience seems to be mine on every trip I make  On a  Pullman.  many times I cannot fall asleep;  Then thoughts sweet as these fill my mind and make me wish and pray they will come back again, not as a dream, but as a reality.

 the second picture, of the soldier’s empty bedroom, is very familiar to you and Dad and the rest at home, for I know that the sight of my empty bedroom Brings to your mind endearing and cherished Thoughts  of me. Perhaps you often enter to call me for supper, when suddenly you remember…. ‘Leo's room is empty!’  though I am praying earnestly and intensely that my room May one day be occupied -- by me, and that that happy day may not be far off. I remember you all and your requests to our Savior each day and night. May he  in his goodness shelter you!”

( Alamogordo, March 29th 1943)

 a visit with Jesus and Mary --

“ Mother, Here I sit on the edge of my bunk writing to you from Clovis, New Mexico, with a bag of potato chips before me, and pondering on the many things I want to relate to you.

 About an hour ago I returned from the chapel where I attended the Sunday evening mass at 5:30. I was busy flying this morning from 7 a.m. to 12:30 noon, so this was my only opportunity to make my Sunday Duty. A Franciscan Friar comes from town to say mass at our Chapel several times a week and on Sundays. This is the way I met the priest.  I stopped at the USO in town and asked whether there was a Catholic Church in the neighborhood. It was Saturday and I wanted to go to confession.  The Church of the Sacred Heart was situated three blocks away in the midst of a paradise of Nature's Splendors. Across the street from the church  stood The Franciscan priest dressed in the Garb of his order. He was speaking with a few small boys who were probably his Altar Boys. He welcomed me with a smile and extended his hand for a handshake. His heart was in the greeting, for his disposition  was very friendly. We  conversed there under the tree for about an hour. I told him all about myself, and our family;  he in turn told me all about himself and his Priestly work. I told him that I wanted to go to confession, so he accompanied Me to the chapel. The structure did not seem very attractive from the outside,   but when I entered, the white and colorful interior almost  took my breath. The Altar and Sanctuary  were Marvelous. How those friars cherish and adorn that little  yet Heavenly Chapel! I felt so happy kneeling there alone before the radiant Tabernacle. Truly, I felt as if I were in a Haven of glory. After confession I walked over to the altar of the Blessed Virgin in order to burn a vigil light there and again consecrate myself to her as Her knight. I pleaded that  she guide me wisely and protect me closely as I Venture along the disastrous paths of battle. Other Earnest prayers followed in which I asked blessings on all of you at home. Moments such as these before the Blessed Sacrament are the only true consolation, Solitude, and peace A Soldier can find nowadays. I  seek those moments at every opportunity that is given to me,  for there lies my hope and contentment.”

 Letters and morale --

“ lately I have received a good deal of correspondence from Friends. Letters are food for a soldier's mind And soul, mother, not to mention the glow or morale that they Inspire. Take, for instance, this paragraph from a letter which I received today. X...... writes, ‘moments of solitude while riding the bus to and from work I spend in silent prayer, trusting God to protect you constantly and especially during your flights’. So many --  in fact, most -- Of the letters I receive, contain a thought such as this one. Sister E has an art for Including such solid and sincere lines. When a soldier knows that he has friends like these behind him, he cannot help mustering up courage, confidence, and trust in God. Letters of these kind mean more to a soldier than the deadliest weapons in the world.”

 Furlough ahead --

“your most welcome letter  reached me this evening, mother, and my thoughts wandered back home after reading it. You can imagine how I wished to be home with you. Speaking of my furlough, mother, I think a day has not passed that I did not think about my coming home since the first day they told us we would get a 6-day  Leave. I've been planning  right Along just how I am going to spend every minute of it. Yes, each moment will be precious. I can still vividly see that cake on the dining room table that you had for me when I last came home, with ‘welcome home, Leo!’ On its icing, and the Stars and Stripes waving over it.

 my sincere wish is to be home for Mother's Day, May 9th. What A Mother's Day that would be for you! Mother, I am sure the greatest gift I could Present you with on that day would be myself in person. I assure you it would be the most welcome Mother's Day I could ever enjoy. God be with you all each hour of the day, even as I am always with you in spirit and in prayer!”

(  Clovis, New Mexico, April 11th 1943)

Good Friday and the Rosary --

“ I did not have a chance to read your last letter till late last night after I came back from a 15-hour flight. We took off from San Antonio about 3 p.m. yesterday  and headed for the Gulf of Mexico. When we reached its Waters, we were met by God's beautiful sunset.  the gorgeous son was comfortably relaxing on the brink of a Rippling Horizon. The Green Gulf was now converted into a bright and colorful mixture as the blazing sun seemed to have transferred itself into the cool, peaceful,  Wavelets of Mexico's  mighty Gulf stream.  moving about 500 ft over the area of the Waves, our Liberator bomber rode smoothly and majestically on the golden Highway leading to a Haven of sunset. What a colorful and glorious setting for Easter! But no --  it was not Easter. My mood changed abruptly as I recalled that it was Good Friday. In that Sunset my imagination formed a  Mirage of a sorrowful ordeal -- the crucifixion. I felt that I should not rejoice over the Splendor of the Evening Sun on that day, so I Let the awful memories of Good Friday take hold of me. I owed it to our lord, for I did not even get an opportunity to visit the chapel that day. A few moments later I crawled to the rear of the bomber and made a bedding of my winter jacket. I then proceeded to say the sorrowful mysteries of the Rosary. I felt it was the least I could do to pay tribute to my suffering savior.

Do not worry about me making all these flights, mother, because I am used to it. Besides, the Lord and his mother are with me continually. I pray that they may also protect you all at home. Tomorrow is Easter Sunday. Mother, I had wished to spend it with you. Instead, God gave me Mother's Day for you. May Our Risen Savior deign to bestow the joys of Easter on you all abundantly!”

( Clovis, April 24th 1943)

 true Easter Joy --

“ I hope you had a glorious Easter, mother. I was thinking of you that whole day and hoping I could be with you. My Easter was spent as any Ordinary Day in the army.

 In the evening I prepared to assist at Holy Mass. I was privileged to serve that mass together with another sergeant. I received Holy Communion and offered it for all of you at home. The altar was gorgeously decorated with Easter flowers: White lilies, yellow and purple tulips, and other colorful varieties. There were lilac plants along the altar railing. With the aroma of these flowers and the Charming Melodies of the singing and organ music, it seemed like a Heavenly Paradise. It appeared all the more Majestic to me because I was so close to all this beauty, and most of all, closer to the source of all Beauty, the Risen Savior himself, upon the altar. All my Easter Joy was there, mother. The Lord provided every Sublime joy for me this Easter, in spite of the fact that I could not share it with you all at home. It is  But a proof that it is because of your fervent and continuous prayers for me that the good Lord shelters me lovingly.

 this morning I filed a last will and placed you, mother, as the beneficiary and Dad as the second beneficiary and executor. The copies of the last  will should be ready tomorrow, so I shall bring them home with me. All my Affairs pertaining to insurance, allotments and last will are complete….

 My ship should be in any moment now. It is time for some action. You know we need this practice to blast those Japs and Nazis off the  globe, and we surely can do it.  We have so much to hold and keep, and we cannot fail those back home! May Our Savior guide you all along the road to happiness and security, and may He speed my arrival in your midst!”

( Clovis, April 27th 1943)

 Leo's intended gift to his mother --  his personal Presence at home --  was not meant to be for Mother's Day,  but for the first week of May preceding that lovely day. So anxious was he to be with his loved ones again that on May 5th he flew from Amarillo, Texas, to Pittsburgh. His Leave lasted only six short days.

 Between spending Pleasant hours with his family and visiting numerous  friends and relatives, Leo was kept very busy. He drove up to the Divine word Seminary At Girard, Pennsylvania, with his mother, father, and sister, to visit his brother Raymond and me. Raymond was a sophomore at the time. That night the students presented a program in Leo's honor, the last number of which was dedicated to Mary, Queen of the Skies. Her statue Graced  the beautifully decorated stage with the Stars and Stripes serving as her background.  At her feet were many tufts of white cloth representing clouds, and nestled among them were a number of model airplanes Which the boys had made. An inscription, “Our Lady, Queen of the Skies”, rested at the foot of Mary's Throne. As the curtain was drawn the enchanting strains of Schubert's “Ave Maria” filled the hall, and a boy's voice was heard reciting a poem as a tribute to the queen of the skies and a prayer to her for Leo and his fellow-fliers of the Air corps.  The shades of the stage lights kept changing as the music and the prayer gripped each heart and called forth many an unexpected tear. The curtain closed with the final strains of the “Ave Maria”,   while a flood of blue lights wrapped the mother of God in a haze of mysterious and sacred loveliness.

 Leo was called upon to give the concluding address. As he faced the audience he wiped his eyes with a handkerchief and said, reversing the usual words of excuse, “it is not a cold... These are tears!”  Overcome by emotion, he managed to other words that came right from the bottom of his heart;  they found their way deep into the hearts of all present, for they were about the queen he loved. In accents of sincerest appreciation he spoke his Farewell to all. The boys presented him with a rich spiritual bouquet. He later offered it to his mother and said, “mother, keep this for me till I come back. It is precious!”

 The following day Before leaving for home again mother turned to me and said, “father, give Leo your blessing before he leaves”. Leo smiled his approval and then knelt down before me. Memory brought me back to the day when Leo served my first Mass and asked for my first blessing; Now I  had the feeling that I was giving my brother a last blessing. With hands extended over his   bowed head, I prayed with utmost sincerity: “Through the imposition of my Priestly hands, and invoking the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God, and all the saints, May the blessing of almighty God be upon you, to Aid and protect you in every danger. May your heavenly mother, the queen of the Skies, guide you in the way of virtue and Holiness, Shield you in Perils of soul and body, and bring you safely home! In the name of the father, and of the son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.”  My best farewell to a devoted brother was my Priestly blessing!

 Leo returned to his base in Kansas. Letters to his Praying Mother continued.

 Fond memories of home --

“ I sent you a telegram a few hours ago, mother, to let you know I had arrived safely and wish you a most happy Mother's Day. It never occurred to me while I was at home that Mother's Day was so close. I wanted to leave you a little remembrance, but I forgot everything in the excitement. In the near future I shall send you something you will like for Mother's Day.

I must admit I really miss  home very much. I was treated like a prince wherever I went. Those six days will mean an eternity to me, mother. I thought of all those golden moments while on the train, and I wished I were going back to begin my furlough all over again. God was so good to give me even 6 days!

 really, mother, I cannot express how happy you all made me during that short stay at home. I am   certain you all went through many sacrifices to make my stay as comfortable as possible. The departure was not as disheartening as I had expected. I tried hard to act as if it were only a weekend visit. But now that all is over, I suppose we all realize it will be a long time before I come home again. However, it will be Somewhat the same as the 9 months that passed before this leave, mother;  with a little more traveling, that is all. Each day we spent together was full of laughter and joy;  even the tears we shed were tears of happiness. Now that my happiness on Earth has been realized and fulfilled, I am most satisfied and thankful. They can do with me whatever they please now; I am ready. I will go to Africa, China, Alaska, or Australia; it makes no difference now.

 Trusting in the queen of the Skies --

“ mother, It's took those few days at home to enlighten me  And to Spur me on to fight for the things worth fighting for, so that I might see And enjoy moments such as I did once again, and make them lasting. I realized more than ever the hatred kind and  lovable people have  toward this war, and all the tears, worry, and  discontent that it has caused them. There must be an end to this horror, and it is my duty to help exterminate it.

 I assure you, mother, I will not feel frightened when I am in the air and danger approaches, for that magnificent display of Devotion to Mary which the boys at Girard presented in my honor, has convinced me that as long as I have love, Faith, and confidence in the ‘queen of the Skies’, I shall be kept safe and secure under her motherly guidance. The glory of the Heavenly scene of that night will live on in my heart forever. The sacredness of it filled me with new courage and bravery. Immediately banished every fear that might arise. Truly, from that evening on, the queen of the Skies is my glorious hope. she will not abandon me, mother, -- Not with so many of her faithful children praying to her to intercede for me. You know, mother, I was so anxious to tell my all my  Fighting friends here  of the Grand program the boys prepared for me, but I just could not describe it for them as well as I wanted to. No one will ever know how deeply that presentation affected me. May the Lord reward them for it!

this evening after my classes I visited the chapel here at the post. We have a beautiful statue of the Blessed Mother just like the one they had in Girard When they honored Mary as ‘Queen of the Skies’. It is decorated with colorful flowers,  And a vigil light burns before it. I could not resist going to the altar railing to pay my respects to the mother of God. I pictured myself admiring her in all her glory as the ‘queen of the Skies’ just as I had done in Girard, and tears trickled down my cheeks as They did then. What greater  Joy for any Soldier than that of offering  tears of love to his Heavenly Queen!”

( Topeka, Kansas, May 9th 1943)

 technical sergeant --

“ mother, Yesterday I was officially made a technical sergeant. It surely means a great deal to me, because we all anxiously look forward to a promotion like this. It is the highest grade a combat crew member to reach.

In a couple of days we will leave here and begin our journey to ‘no man's land’.  We are ready now, but we must await orders. We do not have the slightest notion where we are destined for, mother, but just before we depart from the USA, we shall be given details. When we leave Topeka, Kansas, we shall fly to our Port of embarkation, where we shall remain a day or two to receive final instructions. As soon as you miss my letters, you may be sure that I am on my way. Please do not worry about me! I shall leave you now in God's sacred custody.”

 Serving mass and a blessing --

“Sunday morning I attended the  9:00 Mass here at the post.  as I was entering the chapel, a soldier asked me whether I would like to serve at the Mass. Of course I gladly consented, and after going to confession before Mass, I had the happy privilege of serving again for a Franciscan missionary. After Mass he began talking to me, asking me questions. His piety and devotion at Mass impressed me greatly because his actions were slow and fervent. He surely is a saintly priest. Before I left the chapel, he bestowed his blessing upon me. I was deeply touched, mother, and a lump formed in my throat as previously in Girard when father L Gave me his Blessing. I prayed fervently for you all at Holy Mass and during my frequent visits to the Blessed Virgin in our Chapel. God love you dearly!”

( Topeka, May 19th 1943)

 lofty ideals --

“ in a day or two my  great Adventure --  when I shall again head for that Blue Horizon where the mountains meet the sky --  will commence for me. We shall be off into the wild blue yonder to meet the foe face to face, and clash with deadly blows. Not a very pleasant thought, is it?  but we do not mind it; really not, for we have something to fight for, and someone, too --  for all of you and for those lofty ideals we also eagerly we cling to.

 I also have many high ideals. Right now I am forced to Center and concentrate on tactics which will preserve them for us all. I will never abandon any of them, come what may! They will be with us in the battle, and they will be an armor plate of encouragement and hope. These are my favorite lines:

‘I would be true, for there are those who trust me;

 I would be pure, for there are those who care;

 I would be strong, for there is much to suffer;

 I would be brave, for there is much to dare.’”

 Valiant virgin --

“ I am on my way to the Battlefront in a fully equipped bomber, Fierce enough to make our enemies shudder with fear. as far as protection goes, we have all that too. We have deadly rifles and other arms. But our greatest Security will be the invisible one, our Lord's constant presence and guidance of the ship and the crew in it.

 We have named the bomber ‘Valiant virgin’, and had the title splendidly painted on the nose of it. As far as I and the rest of the crew are concerned, that title was bestowed in honor of our blessed lady, the most Valiant of virgins. ( Incidentally, I am the only Catholic on the crew.)  I dedicated the bomber to our blessed mother today as I knelt before her statue in the post Chapel. Her eyes so mild, Blended in Purity and innocence, seemed to accept this tribute of Honor willingly and joyously.”

 First in command --

“ the queen of the Skies will be flying with us on every flight or Mission, and she will take a position on the plane, A Divine position, with ammunition of Prayer --  her Holy Rosary. She will  Camouflage  us with an atmosphere of affection and confidence. She will be first in command on the bomber, as a queen on her throne, gliding through the footless Halls of air and soaring through God's sunsplit crowds ‘up the long, Delirious, burning blue with easy Grace, where never Lark or even eagle flew’. and while we tread the high untrespassed sanctity of space, she will baffle the foe for us and send him dashing down  in  flaming Thunder to his Doom. You may read about the  Valiant virgin someday, commended for gallantry or for having struck a vicious blow against the Axis or the  japs. Another victory for the Americans! Another victory for Mary, Queen of the Skies!

 I shall place a medal of Mary above my radio table in the radio compartment of the bomber. It will be directly before me, on the wall of the bomber, so that I can glance at her frequently to ask her help or just sing her praises  in prayers of Thanksgiving and devotion.

Till we meet again! I beg you to remember me to Mary, Queen of the Skies. I am Fearless when she is with me.”

( Topeka, May 25th 1943)

 America, farewell! --

“ this message comes to you from somewhere in the blue heavens of America, 7500 feet above Mother Earth, scribbled between all the other messages I have to send out at my radio table.  just about an hour ago we left Syracuse, New York, Mother, after having spent four splendid days there. Now we are on our way again, heading for another point of the United States.

Mother, I do not believe you will be able to write to me anymore in this country, and I may not be able to write to you either until I reach my destination.

 It is very shaky and rough up here, mother, because we are climbing higher on account of the mountainous character of this part of the country. I cannot write very well. God bless you all!

 PS:  we are now Landing.... I cannot say where, mother!”

( May 31st 1943)

 this was the last message Leo Could  send to his mother while he was in America. The following day  marked the beginning of his “Great Adventure”.

Chapter 8

the Great Adventure

June 1st through August 18th 1943

 Leo was assigned to the United States 8th Air Force. On June 1st, the “Valiant virgin” and her crew left the shores of America and Majestically set her course toward another continent.

The crew alone knows the full details of that first great journey over the threatening waves of the Atlantic. The experience was Unforgettable. The queen of the Skies guided  Her ship safely to the shores of England.

 Leo continued his correspondence with his mother. It became all the more precious to her, now that a vast ocean separated her from her son. She prayed more fervently than ever before that's the queen of the Skies might protect her devoted  knight.

 an emergency --

“ somewhere in England, seated beside an open window, gazing at the green blend of fresh scenery mingled with the golden rays of the Setting Sun, I pause to write you my first letter from overseas.

 May I inform you that I cannot say much in my letters, so please be patient and content with  The little I have to offer.  thank God, I safely cross the Great Waters ‘in the arms of God’! We left America on the 1st of June. I cannot tell you all I have seen and experienced;  it is hidden in my heart. Someday I hope to have the happiness of  Relating everything to you at the table --  at home.

 we still have our Liberator, the ‘Valiant virgin’, in which we flew here from America.  As I informed you previously, I placed a Miraculous Medal of the Immaculate Conception in my radio compartment, just above my table. Without That metal I might not have been alive today, for on our way over we met with an emergency which threatened us with certain death, or at least something very close to it. Had it not been for my sudden imploring of Our Lady, Queen of the skies, for Aid, and my holding the  medal caressingly in my right hand while we  contested in the turmoil, it is hard telling what would have happened to us. after we landed safely, several of my crew, who apparently noticed me grasping the  medal, questioned me about my action. Happily I answered that I firmly believed it was my confidence in the Blessed Virgin, whose picture was impressed on That  medal, that held us secure. Not one of them laughed at me or ridiculed the response. Instead, a moment of silence followed --  a sign that they absorbed the lesson wholeheartedly and graciously. I am Fearless now, for I know my mother, the queen of the Skies, the Valiant virgin, is ever near me, especially where Peril rules. You cannot realize how happy and grateful I felt after the emergency had passed. I firmly believe that she will shelter me in even greater disasters in the future, together with her Divine son.

It seems I could fill books about what I have seen since I left the good  USA. yet I am continually thinking of you all at home.  Last night before going to bed, I strolled through the woods till I came to a beautiful Meadow, where I spent a peaceful hour in prayer and Deep thought.  of course, my thoughts were mostly of you back home --  my prayers all for you. I have your pictures ever with me. God bless you all!”

( England, June 9th 1943)

 the cherished “Valiant virgin” --

“ mother, I am enjoying every bit of my stay here in England. It is somewhat the same as the United States as far as my work is concerned, for I must attend classes all day long. Even many of my former buddies are here with me. After this course of training is over, I must go through several other Phases which are much shorter.

 I attended mass at 9:30 this morning in a very large and artistic Cathedral. It was very impressive. The cathedral was literally packed with people.  after mass I lit a candle before the altar of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Mother, and I prayed for your intentions.

 We are still flying the B-24 Liberator we came over on, the ‘Valiant virgin’. I hope we can always keep it, mother, because I cherish that plane, and I have become very well acquainted with it. Sometime in the future, if you should read about the ‘Valiant virgin’ receiving honorary mention, remember it will be worthy of her, mother.”

( England, June 16th 1943)

high hopes --

“ this is the fourth of July here in England, mother. It is not celebrated except by us Americans, for we have a holiday from work and school, and can spend the day as we wish. I began the day By attending Holy Mass at 9:30 this morning in one of the largest Catholic cathedrals in this portion of England. The Archbishop said the mass, assisted by many other priests. The ceremony lasted about an hour and a half. Incidentally, mother, I took two non-catholic boys Of our crew to do that Mass. Not knowing that it was to be a solemn high mass, I told them that it would last only half hour. Somehow  they managed to stay throughout the entire ceremony.

 as you have heard and read, mother, the Yanks are doing a marvelous job here.  True, the papers are not always correct, but take your son's word for it, Mother, We are giving them  what even hell itself could not compete with, jabbing the Nazis 24 hours a day --  the Americans by day, and the RAF by night. This continuous bombardment is bound to let up soon, for it is too much for Hitler to swallow. Our hopes are high here. Knowing that this is the worst and most essential theater of war in the world, when things look bright here, we are sure they look brighter all over the world.  I hope and pray that you all at home may feel as assured about this as I am. The boys in my Barracks have seen action and they let us in on the reports after raids. The following morning we tune into the German news to hear their side of the story. They usually do not agree at all with us. I am grateful that I live with men who are able to tell me about their raids and missions against the axis, because they can give me good advice and many hints of security of safekeeping.

 Thank God, I am safe and healthy, without injury or worries, mother. I have not engaged in any  raids as yet. I am more or less in a stage of training and preparation, which is at times quite tense and rugged. The Allies do not believe in fighting unless they are totally prepared;  so it is with us combat crews.

 with firm hope in my heart and a sincere prayer on my lips, mother, I am quite confident in saying that, though I am far away from home this Fourth of July, I shall be with you again before the next one rolls around, and we shall celebrate doubly, both for this year and for the next.  till then, mother, keep your head down in prayer, but your heart High, Ever trusting in God's Providence and The Virgin’s protection, for I shall always be within their loving shelter! God love you all!”

( England, July 4th 1943)

 with nature and with God --

“ I attended mass in a very small church this morning, mother.  the good priest  Welcomed everyone  at the door, then just before beginning Mass he walked through the church, apparently to observe whether all his parishioners were present.  his sermon was so absorbing  That not one of the listeners moved throughout the entire talk,  which lasted almost an hour. It surprised me to find these people so religious, though there are not many of them. The choir sang Latin hymns at mass that we also sing at home, so that it seemed as if I were in our town Parish Church. Those precious moments of divine worship made my heart throb with joy all day and kept me thinking of you and the rest at home. I felt as if I had actually spent the day with you, mother.

as I write these lines the sun is directly setting and hiding its Radiance. Its rays are seeping through colorful Shrubbery just outside my window. Everything is fresh and green --  a splendid symbol of peace and happiness. Even the little birds are chirping with joy. It is a typical Countryside setting in England, the kind I Loved to read about in books. I dreamed about  scenes like these years ago, mother, now they are a reality. I am contented when I can gaze at and admire the beauty of nature in such a grand form. That is the reason why I love England, for it is filled with such peaceful atmosphere. After this war is won, I would like to return and inhale more of the  England grandeur.

 at sunset on calm evenings I usually stroll through the woods which leads to a farm blessed with a bunch of crops. There I gaze at the Setting Sun in all its splendor.  I utter prayers at close of day, thanking my Creator and asking his Blessing on myself and all at home. I repeat the following people verses from a psalm each day:  ‘though I should walk in the midst of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for thou art with me. Thy rod and thy staff, they have comforted me’ (Psalm 22). I pray harder and oftener now than ever before. Contentment and inner happiness are my lot. Pray that I may make them remain so. Mother, it is amazing how much courage, comfort and hope I obtain my praying such verses!”

( England, July 11th 1943)

 a sanctuary of happiness --

“ you have made me tremendously happy today, mother. The reason? First mail from home came in today;  in fact, the very first letter I have received in this Theater of War. I just returned from a flying trip which lasted all afternoon. After supper I came to my bunk to rest up, when lo!  For v-mail letters were lying on my bunk. Gosh!  I jumped at least two feet high.  it thrilled me so much to hear from home again after not having received mail for nearly two months. Honestly, I did not know what to write you anymore, since I had told you almost all I knew! --  and to go on without receiving an answer was driving me mad. It was just like talking to myself in an empty room. I was happy to hear you were receiving all my letters. So far I have tried to write each day. I know how much word from me means to you, especially when you are assured that I am well and happy. But think of how I crave to hear from home, to be assured that all is well! I consider myself fortunate that I can travel so much and enjoy seeing glorious spots. Still I prefer home to all this, mother, because it means so much to me with all its sacred Memories, the things I cherish, the persons I love. Our home is a sanctuary of happiness;  and that is the reason why I pray so often that the Lord May permit us to keep it forever.”

( England, July 20th 1943)

 spare time --

“ our schedule does not call only for business, classes, and flying;  there is relaxation also. During my spare time, and every moment I can snatch while flying, I read;  mostly current magazines, well-known books, and poems.  Every other day we  Spend several hours playing baseball as part of our training. So far, our crew is undefeated in the ball  League. I am quite certain it will be victorious in the future, too;  even in real battles where might and mind will Vie with each other in behalf of a worthy cause.

 besides this, I reserve some time for prayer. I have deep confidence in My Religion, especially when things are unbalanced And apt to upset. I fear nothing because I can rely on spiritual assistance from the home front;  and that means everything!”

( England, July 20th 1943)

 in God's hands --

“ this is the eve of my first anniversary in the Army, mother, and I cannot help but recall what I did a year ago, as I anxiously awaited that memorable morning when I would  bid farewell to loved ones, leave home, and cross the threshold of a new career --  a career I knew nothing about, never dreamed of, or ever thought I would like.  my country gave it to me, and I willingly accepted. Today I find myself still meekly accepting, hoping the  While for the best.

The night before leaving, everything was in Readiness, for I  had been preparing for 2 weeks. That notion was in my mind long before, when I first suggested joining the Marines. I tried to convince you, mother, how anxious I was to give a helping hand to my fighting fellow-Americans, and I finally succeeded in persuading you to let me try to join the Marines. But this was not in accordance with God's holy  Will. Two missing teeth certainly cannot stop a man from fighting, but it was God's way of showing me that he did not want me to serve my country and him  as a Marine. I knew God wanted me to do his holy will;  therefore I let my future rest in his hands. And here I am a year later, mother, still adhering to his will and desire. I owe my safekeeping and every success to his fatherly kindness. May he continue to lead me, with Mary, Queen of the skies, at my side, as I  soar the sky in her name.

 What a year from now holds for me, mother, is not known, but with  confident mind and firm hope for the best, we can continue praying to our commander in chief, the Prince of Peace, to govern the issues in our favor. Glancing across the Horizon of current events and considering the victories won by our side all over the globe, we have every reason to feel confident that ours will be the final victory, for how can Justice be  conquered? But all is not won yet, mother, so let us cling to our hopeful ideals as fervently as we have till now, and even more fervently. My praying for victory and peace was begun long ago, but my fighting was not, though I have always been ready and willing. I am certain that when the time for fighting comes, the courage, strength, and determination that have been welling up in my soul, will serve me in good Stead.

One year has passed since I left you, mother. I pray that before another expires, I May celebrate  it with you all around a peaceful dinner table, if God is willing.”

( England, July 21st 1943)

 just a paper flag --

“ mother, I am writing this on the coast of England, which was formerly used as a summer Resort. I can hear the beating of the ocean waves and enjoy the evening glow, as the Sun’s last Rays come pouring through the open doorway of my tent. What a setting of colorful splendor --  a picture of the peace and joy that will reign in this and every other country after this war is over!

 We were sent down here a few days ago for a course in Gunnery. It is a rugged life and full of Adventure. I was appointed section leader of our group. This means more responsibility; but I am proud of the honor bestowed upon me.

I just Cooled off by jumping into a cold shower which we have out in the open near our tent. It really was refreshing. I then took my mirror,  hung it on the Pole of my tent, filled my  Steel helmet with water, and began to shave. As I opened my shaving outfit, I noticed my little paper flag mounted on a tiny piece of wood. These paper flags were all over the beautiful cake you bought for me during my last six-day leave at home.  I put one of them in my pocket as a souvenir. Each time I open my shaving kit, the little paper flag reminds me of those happy moments I spent with you before my departure. Isn't it strange how little things, which at the time seemed useless, may become so precious and treasured? Even such Minor Details may keep  a soldier’s morale and courage  at its height. Do not worry one bit about me, mother, for I am safe and strong. God love you all and keep you!”

( England, July 23rd 1943)

 the utmost for God and Country --

“ mother,  at last  my mail  how to become regular. I receive several letters practically each day. So many of these letters inspire a new flow of confidence, courage, and Hope in my soul, that I become more than ever determined to do my utmost for God and Country, especially during this Dreadful War. When I see from the letters I receive how much people really care about me and how they support me with their fondest hopes and prayers, I cannot express my appreciation  In words.

The days seem to be speeding along more rapidly here than they used to in the states, mother. It is not that I am busier here. I presume it is because with each new day fresh hope of Peace helps to shorten the tedious length of This  War. Each Dawn and each Sunset brings me closer to the Glorious Day when, I pray, I shall once again return home. May our prayers for this favor urge God to show us his Mercy.”

( England, August 4th 1943)

 the American way of living --

“ we have no Uso here, But a grand substitute, the American Red Cross,  with its club and canteens. We really feel at home there --   the only  Spot in the country where we know we are still Americans.  the sole representative of the Uso is the series of Camp shows they produce for us; and they, indeed, are the best. Somehow, we Yanks cannot get used to English humor and  Wit, but we deeply appreciate the effort they make.  the movies here are American pictures of several years back, brought from the United States. Dances are not very different. most numbers are our good old hits,  Though not the latest.  oh, give me the American way of living!  I think the most trying part of the war for us Americans abroad is not the sight of the destruction caused, but rather the loss of the many intimate and cherished  bits of life we have left and still love so much.

‘ Forget Me Not at early morn

before the altar Fair,

remember me at Eventide

when thou art bowed in prayer.’

I also found this verse which a mother wrote to her son who is a soldier:

‘ how good to know, as know I do,

that God Is Watching Over You;

 and that each day and moment, too,

 his love is always guarding you!’

 Each  thought of you, mother, ends with a prayer for you and all at home. God bless our home! may Jesus and Mary be gracious to you all now and eternally!”

(England, August 13th 1943)

The Miraculous Medal --

“ As you probably have heard,  most Gunners carry some good-luck charm with them when they go up for a raid. I also have something, but it is more than a charm. It is a Miraculous Medal of the Blessed Mother, which sister E  Sent me some time ago.  the  medal is inserted in a booklet containing prayers to Mary for protection and courage.  I carry it with me on all my flights. The  medal is beautiful;  it is covered with a coating of gold. That is the reason why I was overjoyed when you said you were beginning a novena in honor of The Miraculous Medal for me.

 Please do not worry about me. I am well and happy, trying to do my bit. Instead of worrying, I would prefer more prayers.

 I was very much impressed this morning at Mass when I saw the gymnasium, which was used as a chapel, filled with soldiers --  Colonels, majors, and captains --  kneeling on the bare floor in worship. My prayers to our lady on her Feast Day included you all!”

( England, August 15th 1943)

 “God, make me courageous” --

“ yesterday our crew flew in formation drill, swooping 50 feet over fields and buildings, a practice in strafing and low bombing which is quite exciting. We fly in Planes (b-24s) battered and soaked in the heat of warfare.  On the nose of each one can be found painted 20, 25, 30 bombs, indicating how many raids were engaged in;  swastikas below indicate Nazi planes shot down.  Of course, the holes and  dints from shells and flack have been patched and painted. We give these Planes special care and respect them more highly than we do the new liberators that come in.  you probably read about the record flight the B-24s made recently over the Rumanian oil fields on a two thousand Four Hundred Mile  hop.  each time I  spot a liberator in Flight, I cry Within:

‘ Oh Happy  ship, to rise and  dip,

 with the blue crystal at your lip!

 Oh happy crew, my heart with you

   Glides and flies, and  Sings anew!’

 I hunger for The Clash of combat. My finger yearns to press the trigger that will riddle the Venom of War to a fume  Of Perpetual peace.  God, make me more courageous each day, till the things which I am fighting for  are won! Please God, send us peace! May Mary, Queen of the Skies, see me through! May she also be near you all!”

( England, August 16th 1943)

 loss of a pal --

“ this afternoon we took off from our Airdrome here to make an official flight to an RAF bomber base.  We remains there about an hour, looking over all sorts of British bombers in the aircraft. The majority of the ships have had a good many raids to their credit and were battered from recent mission. We had an interesting chat with the boys who fly over Germany and occupied Europe in these superb planes. When we finally returned and had supper, I lay down on my bunk to read my mail. I became so stunned that my brain felt paralyzed and a sense of helplessness came over me when I read about Bob Massart’s death. I just could not believe it. It is the first time I have heard of the tragedy. Why, it was not even three weeks ago that I was talking with him right on  this  base. He was stationed here with me about a month and a half, going to school with me everyday, for he and I sat together in radio classes. Then,  while I was sent to Gunnery school for a few weeks, Bob  shipped out. He left England;  that is  certain. In fact I know where he went, but I cannot mention it in my letters. Undoubtedly he  Was in action at the time of his death. I presume he was killed while making his first raid over enemy territory. I think we shall get a report on it too soon, and then I shall notify you for  certain, if I'm permitted to do so.

 I can imagine how you all felt at home when you heard what happened to Bob. How badly must his parents feel about it! I myself felt very depressed, for, as you as you remember, he was drafted when just 20, even as I was, and on the exact day I was inducted.  from then on we kept together throughout radio School, Gunnery school, and all the combat phases in the states. Finally we met once again here in England. On the same base we trained further, both at school and while flying. Strange as it may seem, Bob always followed me around in the Army, always being just two weeks behind me, even for his Six-Day leave. Now that he made the first move ahead of me, this happened. I do not believe in being superstitious, but it does seem queer, doesn't  It?

Even though Bob was just a lad of 21, nevertheless he was a man, a real Soldier if there ever was one. Not only that;  he was a beloved boy, sociable and agreeable to everyone, and as decent and honest as they make them in America. There was nothing cowardly about him;  he took things as they came and made a go of them. We were joking about the fact that he and I were drafted into everything from the first day of induction to the present day. We took things in stride as they were given us, and we were happy. Bob and I joked about this very thing only a week before he left here;  that is the reason why he cannot be gone, he is only away, to me. If it is true that he is dead, then I take off my Hat to a hero. Perhaps he did nothing spectacular to earn this esteem from me. He did only the little things, which, after all, I consider the most essential. Such a trifle as not complaining, doing his job and Duty as best he could, is not Sensational in the eyes of men;  but that he did it constantly, in dark moments as well as in bright, makes me love him as an intimate friend and respect  him as my hero.  to have been a fellow-gunner of Bob's, and from his hometown, makes me immensely proud, but to have known a hero makes me doubly proud. I still pray and hope the report about his death is not true.

this Gloomy incident concerning Bob  need not upset you or cause you to worry about me. Things like this have happened and will continue to happen. That is no sign that one should expect the worst. God wanted his soul in order to preserve it from the contamination of this world, as he once took Harold Collignon from  Among my Chums.  he wanted to preserve him from the  Horrors and misery of this war so that he might enjoy peace and contentment in another world, where the Roar of planes,  and the spurts of gunfire have not reached. May God's Most Holy will always be done!

 Mother, please give Bob's mother my heartfelt sympathy. We who have worked and trained with Bob are trying to take his separation from us heroically. I leave you and the rest at home in God's sacred custody and  Infinite love. I breathe your names in every prayer. God keep you in the shelter of his arms!”

( England, August 18th 1943)

Chapter 9

 Forever Yours

 back at st. Louis a sweetheart waited and prayed. At the following weeks  brought no further news of Leo, Mary Ann tried as best she could to hide the anxious forebodings that   seemed at times to  all but smother the natural Carefree gaiety of her heart.  since she had completed her work at Miss hickey’s secretarial School in the early spring, she had fortunately obtained a position with her favorite ball team, the st. Louis Cardinals.  Although being secretary to the director of public relations  entailed everything from answering fan mail to averaging batting scores, she thoroughly enjoyed  this new work.

 then one day the postman delivered of v-mail letter from New York City bearing The Familiar APO number of overseas writers.  Eagerly she tore the seal and began once more “dear Mary Ann,” -- He told her of his trip home, his short visit with his family and friends, and of the inevitable goodbyes after a few days of joy and happiness.

 He was now somewhere in England. She noticed that several lines had been censored out, but most of his descriptive passages were left intact. He  had visited London and many places of interest. However, he had received no mail although she  had written every day since  his shipment overseas. He closed with a sweet assurance that made her heart  sing  as  she  read it.

“ I am somewhere in England, sitting at a window gazing  at a peaceful glorious Sunset and grasping inspiration….  Your portrait still shines in my wallet, Mary Ann.  It must make up for the letters for which I so crave.  My thoughts and prayers are of you more than ever.  I’ve found a true loyal friend --  my Mary Ann.  My fondest greetings across the waves.”

( England, July 9th 1943)  

in another letter Leo wrote:

“ for some unknown reason I dreamed about you last night. It was A most happy Rendezvous you and I had. We spent the day together and when evening came we took in an opera. When is  it was over, I lost you and searched  vainly in the crowds, and when I gave up trying to find out, I awoke. That kept on preying on my mind all day, Mary Ann, and I thought that if I wrote to you about it, I would feel  somewhat relieved. You have come into my prayers as you have into my dreams.

‘ Forget me not, at early morn

 before the altar Fair,

 remember me at Eventide

 when you are bowed in prayer.’

 As ever yours, Leo.”

( England, July 23rd 1943)

 in early August she received a long letter stating that the mail was now coming regularly and that he would at last answer all the questions she had been asking in her letters concerning the English people and customs.

 Later in the month a letter opened with a little verse that made her heart beat faster as she read:

“ my Mary Ann,

‘ I looked long At a Map today,

 and oh, it is so far

 across the little pointed squares

 to that one where you are.

I breathed a single wishing kiss

 across the starry blue,

 and unless it tangled in the Stars,

 it should be reaching you.’

 You're in my every dream, Mary Ann, and I long to share with you the wonderful experiences I am now enjoying. We have explored every inch of London it seems, from the Buckingham Palace to the last Crypt in Westminster Abbey….

 My dear, I speak your name in my every prayer. May God keep you ever chaste, good, lovable, as you have always been to me. Forever yours, Leo.”

( European theater of operations, August 18th 1943)

 on August 28th 1943, Mary Ann received a letter the contents of which she will ever treasure in her heart. She smiled again as she noticed that this was the first letter that  had ever begun in the superlative degree:

“ my dearest Mary Ann,

Since I have been on the go and flying almost continuously, I haven't seen my mail for over a week, but when I return to base in a few days, I know your cherished letters (precious  morale Builders, I call them) will be waiting to Delight  Me once again. during my many long and tedious flights, Mary Ann, your image somehow stays with me and loving  thoughts of you fill my lonely hours.

Perhaps you will enjoy this little sonnet I am enclosing. It is called ‘high flight’,  and I think it is my favorite. It was written by a member of the Royal Canadian Air Force, John Gillespie McGee Jr, who was killed in action over England on December 11th 1941, just a few days after the Jap attack on Pearl Harbor, And only three months after John had written this sonnet on the back of an envelope and sent it to his mother.

‘ Oh, I have slipped The Surly Bonds of Earth,

 and danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;

 sunward I've climbed and joined the tumbling  Mirth

 of sun-split clouds -- and done a hundred things

 you have not dreamed of --   wheeled and  soared and swung

 high in the sunlit silence. Hov’ring there,

 I've chased the shouting wind along and flung

 my eager craft  Through footless Halls of air.

 up, up, the long Delirious burning blue

 I've topped the Wind swept Heights with easy Grace,

 where never Lark, or even Eagle  flew;

 and  while with silent, lifting mind I've trod

the high, untrespassed sanctity of space,

 put out my hand, and touched the face of God.’

he expresses beautifully what I have felt so often on our many ‘high flights’. it may seem sad that such an exultant voice should have been stilled so soon. McGee was only 19 when he actually ‘put out his hand and touched the face of God’, But I'm sure that His  Gallant spirit will sing on even more fearlessly and joyously now that he has slipped all bonds of  Earth and time. Perhaps he was a ‘knight of our Lady’ too, and was happy to lay down his sword at her feet. Please remember him in your faithful prayers, Mary Ann;  I feel I knew the lad even though I never actually met him.

 Space does not permit me to write more, but you know what's in my heart. God love you, Mary Ann, and may our mother Mary guide you always. I remain, Forever Yours, Leo.”

 She quietly folded the letter, unconsciously Tracing the sign of the cross over her heart, Whispering a prayer for young  McGee and at the same time breathing a prayer of Thanksgiving for another message from Leo.

“ Forever Yours -- “  those weren't mere  written words.  she closed her eyes and saw them  clothed before her in all the  warmth and manliness of Leo's  Gallant Spirit. She dropped her head in her hands almost crumbling the air mail stationery beneath the intensity of her love. She smiled as she thought how she had playfully asked the Blessed Mother how she managed to keep Leo so entirely and forever hers? she even asked to share the secret of this her magnetic power. All day she  kept recalling his last words -- “Forever Yours”.

Chapter 10

 “my lady is waiting for me”

 August 19th 1943 -- August 30th 1943

 each new morn brought Leo closer to the dawn of an eternal day.  Whether he was aware of it or not, he was saying goodbye to the best sweetheart he ever had on  Earth --  his mother. His last letters to her seemed to sound a touching note of parting and farewell, as if Mary herself were inspiring him thus to take leave of the mother whose place she would take in the very near future.

Leo was fond of sending his mother lovely poems and beautiful pictures. It was but another way of giving her pleasure. On August 18th he wrote:

“‘ here now the roses bloom, and soon we'll see

 the painted daisies nodding in the Sun;

 I often take the path you used to run,

 and see the Laughing Boy you used to be.

 Your room,  with all its happy disarray,

 is Prim and Silent now. ( I used to scold

 because you always smiled when you were told

 to put your toys and books and clothes away.)

 Your room is silence now, but time stands still;

 where are you, son, where do you sleep tonight?

 God keep you safe and give you strength to fight,

 and give us strength to match your heart and will.’”

 Among such cherished souvenirs there was still another that struck a tender  chord in his mother's heart:  the picture of a mother welcoming her son on his first furlough.  Tears filled her eyes as she rests her head of silvery gray upon the firm shoulder of her boy.  She fondly presses him to her heart --  the heart that has beaten with love for him since first she could carry his baby form in her arms.  Now he Is grown up and strong, fighting for the country he loves, even ready to lay down his life for it. The picture bears the title, “first furlough”. Across one section of the picture  Leo penned this verse:  

“when to the sessions of sweet Silent thought,

 I summon up remembrance of things past,

 neither Mars his sword nor War’s quick fire,

 Shelburne the living record of your memory, mother!

 PS. Remember my first furlough of 6 days? -- Leo.”

  it is not difficult to see why a mother should cherish such a picture and poem. It reminded her of her boy’s tender love for her, of his first visit home as a soldier --  his first and, what she then  little suspected, his last.

 The following excerpts are taken from letters Leo wrote on the last 3 days of his life:

Ferrying bombers --

“ to relieve you from wondering why I have not written for over a week, mother, I shall now tell you what my work has been for the last three weeks. The reason why I did not tell you before was that I thought it might be revealing military information;  but I just asked my pilot, and he said it would not be harmful to write about it.

 For the past three weeks or more, mother, I have been engaged in a busy transaction, that  Of ferrying bombers all around England. While we have been waiting around for the call to action, we were given orders to fly planes from one part of the country to another. I  have spent very little time at my own Airdrome. Right now I am hundreds of miles for my own base, waiting for the weather to clear up so that I may be able to do more flying. We have been in the air everyday for long hours, mother, sometimes missing our meals, but I enjoyed every minute of it. Within the past few weeks I have been over a very great portion of this country;  in fact, over half of it, and I must say I have seen many marvelous sites and many interesting people. This type of work is Splendid, but I do not think it will last very long. They need us for more important work.

I hope you will forgive me for not writing during this time, mother. Each day I was always on the run, and usually when we did get to an airport, it was quite late At night and we had to rest up for another trip in the morning. My whole crew is not with me --  only my pilot, copilot, and engineer. I  act as radio operator.  our living accommodations have been far from army-like.  We have received a cordial welcome everywhere we went. We even ate with officers and had our own rooms, with sheets and pillowcases --  something unheard of in combat zones.   We were looked upon with an envious I buy many soldiers and civilians.

 after flying around in these big planes, I found it exciting to get a ride in a  Piper Club, a very small light plane, room enough for only two persons.  one day after flying with a colonel on a special flight, I  had no way to get home to my own Airdrome, and  Night was fast approaching.  a captain summoned a second Lieutenant to fly me home in a club. It is really like riding in  an Austin automobile. Someday after this war, I shall take you to an Airfield near home and give you a ride in one. You do not even need a  parachute when you are flying in a club.

 Tomorrow is Sunday, mother, and I am hoping to have a chance to assist at Mass. Last Sunday I just made it.”

 In accordance with God's holy will --

“ I do not know whether it was God's holy will or his Divine goodness shown me through the intercession of our lady that preserved me from seeing action about the time Bob was about to meet his death. You see, I was all set to be moved, just as Bob was, only a month before he left here. We were all packed to ship out, then at the last minute they split our crew, taking only our pilot and navigator to complete another crew. We, of course, were Left Behind to await our turn. Since then many crews have gone and we stayed because our crew is incomplete. What our next move will be, I do not know. Rather, I have a slight notion what it is, only I am not permitted to express my opinions and ideas. I only hope it will be in accordance with God's holy will. Please continue to pray that it may be so.”

Nearer to the Horizon of peace --

“ how is everything at home, mother?  During my many and long flights up there close to Heaven, I have you all in my thoughts and prayers. How often thoughts and memories of home come to me! And all the while I keep wishing and planning for the day when I shall once again  be flying in that happy Direction. Each  dawn of day, as I wing my way through clouds  and space, I am brought nearer to that Horizon which spells  peace;  and each evening as I watch the evening Shadows Fall,  I breathe  a prayer of Thanksgiving That another day has passed and a brighter one will come along its merry way. Always remember, there is a silver lining in those War clouds, and the tinge of my Silver Wings blends with that firm lining to make it a brilliant, dazzling silver, which in time will cover the spacious sky with a ray of Hope and peace Everlasting.

 May the good God deign to embrace you all in his love and protection, and may Mary, Our Queen of the Skies, be at your side to  console you for my sake!”

( England, August 28th 1943)

 last confession and communion --

“ another day has arrived and I am still at the place I wrote you from yesterday, mother. In a way I am glad we did not take off this morning as we had planned, because it would have prevented me from assisting at Mass this Sunday morning. I just returned from 9:30 Mass, mother. I also went to confession and Holy Communion. A Franciscan Friar said Mass on a platform resembling an altar in the auditorium just in front of the stage. Confessions were heard on the stage behind the large closed curtain. You see, mother, the Army can easily provide room for services, whether It Be in an airplane, Foxhole, or stage.”

 Eternal furlough --

“ it is a regulation here in the European theater of operation that a seven-day  furlough be given to those who served 3 months in it, and that every 3 months afterward another   leave before  granted. My period Of three months in England will close in about a week, Mother, after which I can request a furlough. I am not certain where I shall spend the 7 days! “

above all, prayer --

“ mother, I always pray your ‘aviator’s prayer’ before each flight. In it i appeal to God to hold up our wings while we fly, and I beckon Our Lady, Queen of the Skies, to be with us as We soar the skies to conquer the foe. Not only bullets,  Bombs, and   raids will win this war, but above all -- prayer.

Here is a dose of ‘nerve tonic’ which I take daily, mixed with deep faith and confidence:

‘Though I should walk in the midst of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for thou art with me.  thy rod  And thy staff, they have comforted me.’ ( Psalm 22.)

I hope this assures you, Mother, that you have no reason to worry about me. The Queen of the Skies is sheltering me, Mother; have no fear! May she also intercede for you all.”

Happy and safe --

“I assure you I am very happy, and safe from harm. No need to worry, Mother; Mary is taking care of me. I dedicated myself once again to Our Lady, Queen of the Skies, on the feast of her Assumption. Besides this, what could be more appropriate than Confession, Mass, and Holy Communion on her day? I also spoke your name, Mother, and the names of my loved ones in my every prayer that day.”

Aflame with love for Mary --

“Thanks for burning that vigil light before Our Lady’s statue for me each night. Please do not cease doing so. Don’t ever extinguish it! May the flicker of it remind you that my whole self -- soul and body -- is ever aflame with love for Mary, Queen of the Skies; and as long as that flame is there, there is hope and peace, and one day a glorious reunion!”

Homeward --

“With a prayer in my heart, and hopeful eyes on the distant horizon, I keep looking for that rainbow in the sky that will spell Peace once again, and lead me homeward as a happy lark to its nest.”

Last Words --

“I often think of you especially during my many long flights close to Heaven. God grant us an early peace, so that we may obtain what we are fighting for! I remembered you in my Mass and Holy Communion yesterday.

I AM FERVENT AS EVER IN MY DEVOTION TO MARY, QUEEN OF THE SKIES! I HAVE FELT THE EFFECTS OF HER INTERCESSION, I ASSURE YOU!”

(England, August 30 1943, the day of Leo’s death.)

Little did his mother suspect that her soldier boy was speaking of the “distant Horizon” of Eternal day;  that he was to find the “rainbow of Peace” which would lead him “homeward” and Heavenward! But it was never to be  Homeward to her, but  Homeward to another “mother Mary” whose Palace wonderful  lay Beyond the blue sky and sparkling Stars, whither Leo would Soar to meet his Queen of the Skies.

 other words of his might have been even more significant at this time.

“ I have never spoken of this to anyone, but you have heard that many of our airmen have never seen action.  many of them were killed in target practice.  I think of this every time my plane wings its way through the fleecy clouds.  MY LADY IS WAITING FOR ME, SHALL I BE ALLOWED TO ACCOMPANY HER? Or will she, with her outstretched arms over our Beloved Country, urge me on to more daring things?

NOW I SHALL CLIMB SUNWARD AND ‘JOIN THE TUMBLING MIRTH OF CLOUDS, HIGH IN THE SILENCE’ OF GOD’S DOMAIN.

your own, Leo knight of the queen of the Skies.”

 Leo loved the queen of the Skies most sincerely. He delighted in chatting with her as he flew through the heavens, for he felt he was closer to her there. She had left only feeble traces of her Charming self in the Silvery Moon, in the snow-white clouds, in the glittering stars, in the rich, Blue Sky, where Leo had always looked for her. But he longed to see her in all reality. Perhaps he had a presentiment that he would -- some day. That day was August 30th 1943.

from somewhere in England a tragic message was sent to Washington stating that technical Sergeant Leo e  Lovasik had died as a result of an airplane crash August 30th 1943 while serving his country in the European area.

 Leo really  met his Queen of the Skies. Eternity alone will reveal what wonderful things took place when for the first time he threw himself into the waiting arms of his darling mother Mary. The Queen of the Skies came for her knight! It was the first day of Novena for the Feast of her Nativity. Perhaps she wanted Leo in heaven for her birthday!

Chapter  11

broken hearts

“ comin’ in on a wing and a prayer” --  Leo

 these were the words Leo wrote on the inside of the envelope that contained his last letter, dated the day of his death. He did “come in” to heaven on  A “wing” -- the plane that carried him up into the skies for the last time. What opened heaven to him was surely the tender “prayer” of his sweet mother, his own Queen of the Skies!

Somewhere near home, on Monday, August 30th, Leo's mother was making a retreat. She received Holy Communion for her Soldier son that morning -- as she did every morning -- and when Jesus was in her heart, she said again the prayer Leo had asked her to say for him each day. It was neatly printed in a folder which contained his picture.

“ Holy Mary, Mother of God, in honor of your Seven Sorrows and the joyful, sorrowful, and Glorious Mysteries of your most holy and Powerful Rosary, I beg of you, as Queen of Heaven and Earth and of peace, to protect and intercede for my boy and to be near his side in battle.  Remember your little boy who, when he had grown to manhood, having heard the voice of his father, left you, his beloved mother.  Oh most tender mother, should my boy be called to make the Supreme sacrifice, obtain for him from your Divine son the grace of a holy and happy death.

May your maternal eye guide and forever protect my boy, no matter where he may be. May you find in him such humility and Purity as will make him dear to your heart always. And if, when in battle with the forces of evil, his will is apt to become weakened, make him cling fast to your loving maternal hand, the hand that will be strong enough to help, bless, protect, and bring him home safe and sound to his loved ones. Amen.”

That evening Leo's mother stood at The Shrine of Mary Immaculate and together with the other retreatants sang A Hymn to Our Lady Petitioning her protection and blessing for her boy and the other soldiers in the armed forces:

“ Mary, help our Valiant soldiers,

guard them all on land and sea.

 keep them ever close to Jesus;

 and, sweet mother, near to thee.

 Mary, help them, help we pray;

 help our soldiers night and day.

 Help them in all care and sorrow;

 Mary, help them, help we pray.”

 ThenBefore retiring that night Leo's mother again read a poem he had sent her;  one she treasured above all the rest.  it's never seemed quite so appropriate as now.

“ You are so gay, so young,

 an  Eaglet with wings poised to fly.

 you love the wind and Shining Sun;

 you love your power in the sky.

You whose heart must wing on high.

 I  bid you go, my son, my dear,

With tear-drenched heart and smiling eye.”

 Then she went to bed, never dreaming that her dear boy was dead.

 the night of September 4th Leo's family were again visiting me at the Divine word Seminary at Girard, where Leo had enjoyed the unforgettable program in honor of Our Lady, Queen of the Skies.  A long-distance call from home reported that a telegram from the war department had been received and was being forwarded at once.  The news was like a sword plunged deep into those hearts that loved Leo so tenderly, for they could not but suspect that the worst had happened.  Scarcely a word was spoken,  Save such as might arouse trust in God's Providence and resignation to his Divine will.  tears flowed freely till it seemed they could flow no more.  Intense sorrow hovered over the bereaved family that God had providentially brought together, far from home, so that all the members might bear the grief together.

the  Relayed telegram arrived the following morning.  I left the room to receive it. My heart beat fast as I opened it. I was  Stunned when my eyes fell on the word “....died”.  I felt the Pains of a broken heart and prayed as never before, “Thy will be done”!  I prayed for courage to break the news to my mother and father,  For strength that they might bear the shock bravely.

 my mother and sister were seated in The Parlor.  I saw my mother  Gazing intently and devoutly upon a picture that hung on the opposite wall.  it was a picture of the Immaculate Mother of God. I could see my mother's lips move as each fervent prayer welled up from her broken heart and seemed to find its way to the Broken Heart of the Mother of Sorrows. The moment seemed opportune. I went to my mother's side. as she looked into my eyes with Indescribable  calm and courage, I thought of Mary beneath the cross. She waited to hear me speak, but I could not say a word. Mother ventured speak for me, and  Asked resolutely, “is he dead”?  I looked at her….  She understood what I was unable to say.  She then turned to the picture of the Blessed Virgin on the wall,  raised her arms toward it, and with burning tears blinding her weary and sad eyes, prayed the most beautiful prayer I have ever heard:

“ oh dearest Blessed Mother, I have consecrated All My Sons to you, that you might be their mother….  Mother, take this one. Take my dear boy, my  Leo!”

 chapter 12

 to Jesus Through Mary

 there was still another heart that awaited being broken. It was Mary Ann's.  For three weeks there was no news from Leo. Mary  Ann continue to write each day, however, and to pray each night that “tomorrow will bring a letter”.  finally a month had passed since the Blessed Mother's birthday on September 8th, when she had received Leo's last letter, dated August 28th. Since Leo  had never skipped a whole month without writing, she decided to write to his home address in Pennsylvania although  she had never before   written to nor heard from his mother. She simply  wrote  in a friendly casual way telling of her acquaintance and correspondence with Leo, complimenting the good mother and father for Leo's Noble and lovable character, and  trying not to reveal undue  anxiety concerning him  nor her real feelings toward him. A short time later, a letter and a letter postmarked “Tarentum” arrived.  quickly tearing the seal and   with trembling fingers unfolding a typewritten sheet of stationery, Mary Ann let slip to the floor a newspaper clipping. Stooping to retrieve it, she saw the smiling face of Leo looking up at her from below a caption which read “killed in action”.  the word “killed” shot through her like a thunderbolt, and settled in  A leaden lump against her heart.  at last relief came in a flood of Tears which made it impossible to read the letter in her hand.

 Dropping to the sofa, she remained shaken and sobbing until her dad stole in to see what was the matter.  Lifting her bent shoulders and  cupping her tear-smudged chin in his big hands,  he Inquired the cause of her great sorrow, and was only able to comprehend her mute answer by a quick glance at the paper clipping and  letter   that she held up to him. Taking them gently, he read the letter over to himself, and then in a barely Audible Voice, he read it again -- softly for her to hear:

“ my dear Mary ann,

 first of all let me introduce myself as the priest-brother of Leo,  and express my sincere thanks for the lovely letter which  You wrote home. We feel that we know you personally since Leo frequently mentioned your name to us. He certainly thought you were a grand person. So, it is doubly hard for me to have to tell you of our recent message from the war department concerning Leo's death. He was killed in action somewhere in the European area on August 30th. I have just received a letter dated the day he was killed,  in which he mentions  having gone to  Mass and having received Holy Communion that morning before flight. It is not difficult to imagine Leo actually in heaven now, for he carried a little bit with him everywhere he went -- staying always so close to God and His Blessed Mother. and of course we must also think of his Splendid reunion with his dear little sister, Mildred, and try not to grieve too much for our own  Loss.  you can be certain he'll be mentioning you to the Lord quite frequently, for your name was so often on his lips. I am glad to know that you share our sorrow, and also that  you will share with us,  Leo's love and intercession in heaven. Let us hear  from you again.

Sincerely in Jesus and Mary,  

(Signed) father Lawrence G lovesick SVD.”

 by the time her father's voice was stilled, Mary  Ann had wiped her eyes. She was leaning back now against the sofa, her hands limp in her lap.  As her father brushed the last lingering tears from her cheek, he caught something of his daughter’s  heroic strength in the quivering smile that played around her mouth and the whispered, “thanks, Dad”.

“ I guess I really knew from the beginning that something was going to separate Leo and me because he was really too good to remain on this war-torn earth for any length of time. Although his death has brought me a great heartache, I wouldn't trade any year’s acquaintance with him for anything on Earth. We laughed, played, prayed and sang together and shared many happy hours --  we just seemed to like and agree upon anything and everything. In all our correspondence or time together I can never recall hearing an  ill word from his lips. I think that is why I really loved him so much because he was a  Saint in my eyes.

 I've always known how devoted he was to our blessed lady for he never finished a letter without mentioning or bringing the Heavenly mother's blessing  On me.

 at first my emotions caused ire in my heart for I had prayed night And day for Leo’s safety and the news of his death  seemed to strike me like a  sword and I almost lost faith. This didn't last long though, for after reasoning with myself, I knew that now my prayers had been answered, for now, I know, Leo is safe in heaven where he is happy.”

memories of Leo remained fixed deeply in Mary Ann's heart.  She continued to send him heart-messages -- little bits of conversation and prayer -- while she went about her daily duties.

 In a letter of September 4th 1944, she writes,

“ no doubt your family is visiting you today as I recall they did last year when the news of Leo's death was received. Leo is surely doing his utmost to help all of us here below. When  Leo was living, I used to find myself sitting at my typewriter at work just daydreaming and recalling what his last letter  had said and wondering as transport planes Flew Over the office if he were flying under  as peaceful conditions. Now I find myself continually talking to him about just the little things that I used to love to  write to him about --  nothing important --  just tiny incidents which come up during the day at the office. Wednesday morning I remained after  Mass talking to God and Leo so long that I was almost late for work.”

Each secret conversation with Leo was a means of strengthening her endeavor To reach him at  least by imitating the example he had left her. She was being drawn closer to our lady while thinking of the way  he used to speak of her and strive to please her, and all the while she felt herself being led to Mary's son.

 in some of Mary  Ann's letters I sent a tone of bewilderment.  she had lost much of her accustomed vivacity and zest for good clean fun --  so remarkable in her before.  The loss of Leo  Had done something to her.  the hurt was deep and persistent.   Yet  in the bearing of this hurt she was being Sanctified by God's grace and being led to higher ideals.  her generous and sensitive nature was being marvelously influenced in its determination to Give Love For Love.  The direction of her love now was God-ward.

 For almost two years I have been throwing out rather pointed hints in my letters to Mary Ann as to the possibility that the turn of events might have been God's way of inviting her to his service.  On one occasion I wrote: “ do you remember Leo's last words to you, Mary Ann: ‘ God love you and his mother Mary Guide You. Forever Yours, Leo.’? I have often wondered if perhaps there might have been some particular direction in his mind when he used the term ‘guide you’….  The fact of your deep and pure love for Leo, and the noble Inspirations which his presence  Stirred in you are not mere accidents, Mary Ann.  I would not be surprised if God used Leo as a means of drawing you closer to himself. He, after all, is a ‘tremendous lover’ and your Generous Heart should not find it too difficult to return so great a love.”

 Gradually, her eyes were opened to this new and nobler love. Hollywood had just released Franz werfel’s stirring Story, “the song of Bernadette”,  and the touching scenes which portrayed Bernadette's overwhelming Devotion to Jesus and Mary left a deep impression on Mary Ann.  She finally mustered up enough courage to mention the possibility of a religious vocation to her mother. The two had been wrapping fruitcakes at the bake shop, preparing for the Holiday Rush, when Mary Ann broached the subject. She will never forget her mother's quiet, if not complacent  reception of what she  Had considered such startling news.  but that complacency was quickly explained. Her mother told Mary and of how she been dedicated to God at her birth through the hands of his holy mother. Mary  Ann planted an impulsive kiss on her mother's cheek and said, “then you've known about it all the time, you cheater. Why haven't you told me before now?”

“ because I knew that God wanted to show you in his own way and in his own good time. I want you to do God's will, my child, not mine,”  she answered Softly.

 She decided to enter a Convent dedicated especially to the Blessed Virgin Mary. She would love God as earnestly as she had loved life -- and Leo -- and she  Would not forget the life she  had known, nor would she forget him.  it was not a sad despairing world she was now renouncing;  she had never known it as that.  Heaven had always been mirrored in the created  Beauty that surrounded her Young Life,  and, as Leo had been a part of this beauty, she would remember him as she would remember a poem or a piece of music she had loved.

 Late in November of 1944, Leo's mother extended to Mary  ann an invitation to spend a week or two in her home, for she was anxious to meet the girl who meant so much to him.  she felt that the least she could do was to show her appreciation and to help relieve some of the hurt she, too,  Had suffered.

Mary  Ann quickly accepted the invitation and made the trip from st. Louis to Pittsburgh, eager to add definite memories of Leo's family by a personal visit to his home. A week's visit was extended into two, then into three weeks. No one but Mary Ann can describe the emotions that  filled her heart during the hours she spent in the very home where Leo  had been born and in the church where Leo had been baptized, served at the altar, and received his first communion. She  seemed to  belong in this family which she had learned to love  as  her very own. But her course for the future was  set. Her visit but intensified  her determination to be as devoted to doing God's will just as  Leo was. She was never more convinced that she owed God and Leo the dedication of her entire life. On her return to st. Louis, she entered a Convent on the feast of Our Lady of purification, February 2nd 1945.

 Mary Ann's   vocation is another example of how wondrous and mysterious are the ways of God's Divine Providence. In a letter to me after she entered the convent Mary  Ann describes the influence that Leo's acquaintance had on her future.

“if it were not for having met, known, loved, and lost such a one as Leo, I doubt that the convent would be my address today. There is no doubt that the frequent masses, Holy Communions and daily prayers for his safety and Welfare, are exactly the means God chose of giving me a better chance to draw near his most loving heart, for it was he above all others to whom I confided the heart-ache resulting from the loss of one so dear.  (You,  “my” other-Christ,  shared somewhat the story and very much the direction of my step from the moment of our pen-acquaintance -- Need I say more!)

 You know, father, I didn't enter the convent because I wanted to be a nun. And yet all your little hints in letters, which are still in my drawer at home, struck a soft spot, a craving for true love which could never die. The convent  seemed to be the answer which would enable me to work harder  and prove my anxiety for such love --  so here I am,  thank God! I firmly believe that it is through Leo's prayers along with those of loved ones here below to our blessed lady, which Helped me “see the light” and stick through several very human weaknesses.  oh how often I’ve prayed to Leo to help me be brave. I've even asked to be a knight as he was, silly Maybe --  but that's my  aim --  to devote myself to Christ, as he did to our blessed lady. The reason I like to use the word ‘knight’ is because of all it connotes --  all that's loyal, trustworthy, and above all, deeply devoted in life-long service to the king of all creation. and, father, when those moments of homesickness almost made me walk out the front door, it was then Leo and thoughts of him made me realize why I came here in the beginning, and gave me courage to stay a while longer, thereby strengthening my faith, confidence, and love in the Providence of the Almighty. I love that meditation which says something like: ‘reflect upon the circumstances which led you to religion….’  Just look to what a $0.10 fare on a  Forest  Park car led me!

Leo is my ‘ideal’ as much now as then only perhaps in a  Little different light. Then every boy I met was automatically compared with Leo (and not one could ‘measure up’);  now, it's my own weak self that I must face and I shamefully admit that I don't ‘measure up’ either. Hence my prayer of petition that I may  be like him  in loving service to our King here below, so one day to join him in the Eternal chorus of Praise In Heaven. It is chiefly through our blessed lady that I direct all my efforts to his greater honor and Glory --  ‘to Jesus Through Mary’.”

 The Deep satisfaction and peace which married and enjoys in her vocation is expressed in another letter:

“ the greatest thrill  of my religious life came on that great day of profession of Perpetual vows --  the day on which Christ accepted me as his  Spouse forever! Therein lies The Secret of Triumph of the Divine love over the human. His love never changes,  While even the most beautiful human love may be marred.  now that I have grown to know him better, he has Sanctified all human love, also Leo’s.  I can see more and more clearly that Leo was merely the instrument for leading me closer to Christ, for strengthening my love for our Blessed Mother, and undoubtedly obtaining for me the courage to be generous with Christ. Leo will ever be, together with our lady, my inspiration to draw nearer to the heart of Christ. I know he is ever praying for me, and I shall never cease to think of him as a guardian of my Vocation.

 Leo's position in my life has changed somewhat, and he does not come into my thoughts as often as he used to as the Leo I knew;  rather  after our Blessed Mother, he is one to whom I pray for the strengthening of my Vocation. Knowing and loving him has done much to bring me ‘to Jesus Through Mary’.”

chapter 13

 the flaming torch

“ he lived to bear his country's arms. He died to save its honor. He was a soldier….  And he knew a soldier's Duty. His sacrifice will help to keep Aglow the flaming torch that lights Our Lives….  That Millions yet unborn may know the Priceless Joy of Liberty…. “  so read the citation of Honor which was sent to Leo's bereaved family by Commanding General of the US Army Air Forces.  With this were the official details of his death: “ the records show that technical Sergeant Leo e Lovasik,  service number 33 278 427, 329th bomb Squadron, 93rd Bomb Group, was A crew member on a b-24-d aircraft which crashed and burned 1 and 1/2 miles north of burtonwood, England, on the 30th of August 1943, resulting in his death.”

 Leo died at the age of 21, after being in the Army only 13 months. he was buried along with hundreds of other soldiers in the Brookwood American cemetery in England.  Yet the fact of his burial or the place where he was buried was not disclosed to his heart-broken mother. a year later an Airman read the pamphlet containing Leo's letters which I published under the title of “knight of Our Lady, Queen of  The skies”.  100,000 copies were printed in three separate Editions.  25,000 were distributed to all Army and Navy chaplain throughout the world by the military ordinariate at the request of his Eminence Cardinal Spellman.  Deeply impressed by the contents of the booklet, this Soldier was determined to find Leo's grave.  He traveled from one Cemetery to another and read the inscriptions of thousands of small wooden crosses that marked the resting place of Fallen Soldiers until he finally found one bearing  Leo's name.  he took six photographs of the grave and sent them to Leo's mother. Her Joy upon receiving the letter and pictures was Indescribable. It was like a message from her son and a ray of  Consolation  from the mother of God.

 it was only one of the hundreds of letters which were sent to Leo's Mother by interested readers.  The letters expressed admiration and sympathy;  they told of the wonderful effects Leo's story had upon souls and  of favors received through his intercession Before the Throne of his Heavenly Queen --  all of which are known only to God himself.

On August 17th 1945, Leo's remains were brought back to his home town to 211 West 7th Avenue, Tarentum Pennsylvania -- By a US Army  Escort.  the metal casket was placed in the home where Leo first saw the light of day. Above the casket in a background of blue velvet  stood a beautiful statue of the Immaculate Conception. At her feet  lay the American flag which fell  in graceful folds to the casket, and nestled in the folds was a portrait of Leo in uniform. Mary dominated this impressive scene. With arms outstretched and eyes looking tenderly upon the casket before her, she  seemed to say, “here lies Leo, my Gallant Knight, who laid down his life for love of me and for the cause of freedom and peace.”

 Many of the people who flocked to his home remembered well this Sandy-haired youth and his kindly ways and friendly smile.  others had read his letters. As they knelt to say a prayer at his casket, there were expressions of regret on their faces that this life was snuffed out in the full bloom of Youth, but justifiable Pride welled up in their hearts that his example had already inspired many a soul to nobler ideals. There were others, too, who  were weighed down by some Cross or Misfortune, or crippled by infirmity. Never before had a Leo been given a greater tribute of respect.

After the crowds had finally gone, I made my way again to The Parlor. It was almost midnight. The room was dark, except for the candles that remained burning near the statue of our Lady and cast their soft glow upon her beautiful face and upon the cold metal cover of the military casket. as I sat there with Rosary in hand, I found myself reminiscing.

 He was intensely and lovely human. He remains vividly alive, even today, and his many letters.  a youth with his strength of character would have been a leader anywhere. But it was not as a leader that he exerted most influence;  it was as a friend among the companions of his working day. Not that he preached, not that his piety was Ostentatious.  on the contrary, he was truly humble. Others might have thought that this youth was strong enough to stand on his own feet. He knew  better. He was so vividly conscious of his spiritual weakness that he gave himself to Mary entirely for her to do is as she wished. And his was a total gift of his  whole self.

 Leo was not  All soul.  he was very much body --  an outstanding athlete in any field of sport, tall, strong and handsome, and prey, like us, to all the Temptations of the flesh.  Body and Soul he had been created, so Body and Soul He  Loved Mary. He gave not only his spirit, but his heart and his hands and his laughter to the Heavenly woman who graciously allowed him to call her his Queen of the Skies.

 Leo carried his love for Mary, like a flaming torch, wherever he went but especially the Army, at the outbreak of War. Outwardly no different from his fellows in an  Airfield rest  Hut somewhere in England,  he was probably merrier and possibly more popular than many of his buddies because of his winning ways and spontaneous cheerfulness. He talked and laughed with a comparative stranger, a lapsed Catholic, a demoralized comrade in arms. in his heart was the fiery Zeal of a Christopher who, as an individual, was convinced that he had a very important job to do --  to dedicate his life to the betterment of his fellow man by the force of his example and personality,  to bring Christ and his principles into the marketplace. And that Marketplace was wherever Duty might lead him. There were Immortal Souls to be saved, a world to be won for Christ, and he, as an individual, recognized his responsibility to do his part in whatever Little way he could --  and all through Mary.

 He had not wanted to join the Air force, but his only comment on being drafted there was typical of his resignation to God in all things: “if God wants it that way, I'm satisfied.”  Conscientiously he gave himself to the new task Mary had chosen for him. As long as he was working for Mary, he was happy. She was his strength: “it is the Blessed Mother who gives me encouragement and strength to carry on, especially when dark clouds rise and the grind of army life becomes almost unbearable.”  The road to sanctity is ever steep, is graded to the limit of what a heroic Soul can do.

 The message of Leo's life is that we have all been called To sanctity, that we all can attain it, that it is not the rare privilege of great Souls chosen by God to do great Deeds. If we consider sanctity the way our Lord Acted, that is, doing the will of God with all the love of our hearts --  “it is my food to do the will of him who sent me” --  then Leo reached his Destiny. Since he succeeded where we are failing, it can only be because of something inside him which we lack or something we have not developed. Perhaps we would not be very far wrong if we described that something as a FLAMING TORCH, a burning love for Jesus and Mary, a tireless fire Of Zeal for what is good and beautiful.  our Lord described this fire in his Beatitudes: “blessed are they who hunger and thirst for justice, for they shall be satisfied.” Leo saw the ideal in these words:

“I would be true, for there are those who trust me:

 I would be pure, for there are those who care;

 I would be strong, for there is much to suffer;

 I would be brave, for there is much to dare.”

A flame like that is not  fanned to such a blaze overnight. True, it had to be kindled by God, but it still had to be fed with the fuel of Leo's  own heart. The Source  of that   Flame was the grace of God received and increased at the holy sacrifice of the mass, regular confession, frequent Holy Communion, Earnest prayer, and generous self-sacrifice. Day by day, year by year, in small things and great, his  life was one of dedication to Jesus Through Mary.

 a very small package from the war department was delivered to Leo's mother months after he died. It was all that remained of his belongings --  a package containing a few small articles, one of which was a prayer book that he treasured, given to him by a priest who taught him in the Seminary.  I held the book in my hands. In the section of devotions to our lady, Leo had pasted a picture of the Blessed Virgin, “the Star of the Sea”,  which depicted  Our lady in the sky, surrounded by a Halo of light, and a star upon her forehead.  in a queenly fashion she seemed to hover over the Waters of a Raging Sea that Threatened to destroy everything that chanced to be in its Grasp.  the Star of the Sea must have been a source of great consolation and inspiration to Leo, for the page, fingerprinted and one with use, indicated that he took Saint Bernard’s advice to Heart:

“in dangers, in suffering, in doubt, think of Mary and invoke her Aid. Let Mary be always in your heart and often upon your lips. To obtain her help In death, follow her example in life.  in following her, you will not go astray;  by praying to her, you will not despair;  if you   cling to her, you will not go wrong. with her support, you fall not;  under her protection, you have no fear;  under her guidance, you do not grow weary;  if she is gracious to you, you will reach the port.”

I slowly read the following prayer, found on a card offices the picture of Our Lady, Star of the Sea. It too was worn from use. He changed some of the original words to suit his own personal needs.

 “God bless the work that lies before my hand!

Thy blessing Be on all that I  have done!

For what is fame or gift or treasure Grand,

if Thy approving smile I have not won?

God, strengthen me when crosses come to stay,

when Shadows close around my heart and home.

God guide my soul when light seems far away,

when all the world's tossed waves are white with foam.

God, dower me with kind, consoling words

for wounded hearts, with Gloom and anguish  filled, --

 soft soothing words to sing like happy birds

with voice prophetic, till the storm is stilled.

 In body and  in soul, God, keep me strong

to  toil for thee and never fail through fear --

 this is my prayer, the burden of my song .

God bless me all the days of life this year.”

Through our lady's intercession he hoped to receive the blessings he  sought for the work that   lay for him, for patience when crosses came, for guidance when Light   seemed far away, for kindness to help those in need, for strength of soul and body that he might attain the ideal of his   life -- “ for what is fame or gift or treasure Grand, if Thy approving smile I have not won?”

 In the gentle light of that Star of the Sea Leo found peace. Following that star he found Jesus. With him --  as with Mary ann --  it was ever “to Jesus Through Mary”.

By the hundreds these bright revealing flashes passed through my mind as I sat there before Leo's casket with only the living flicker of the candle to remind me that I was still in touch with reality. As I gazed upon the sweet and gentle face of our Lady’s statue and then, in Grim contrast, upon the cold metal of the military casket before me in which the remains of my brother rested, I kept thinking of a knight lying at the feet of his lady after having made the Supreme sacrifice of his life as a proof of his love for her.  the melody and words of a hymn kept filling my memory --  A hymn which Leo himself used to sing in the Seminary Chapel. It was never more appropriate than now when his lips were sealed in death.  

“ lady, I would be thy knight

 and a-warring go,

And thy favorite blue and white,

 as my colors show;

 all the night my vigil keeping

 at thy holy shrine,

 for I know Thine Eyes, unsleeping,

 look down into mine.

 Lady, I would be thy knight,

 brandishing my blade;

 strong my arm to keep the fight

  For thee, Royal Maid;

 preying  foemen  May assail Thee

( lady, have no fear!)

 For my courage will not fail me

 when I feel thee near.

 lady, I would be thy knight,

 courting pains and death,

 blazoning thy Honor bright

 till my dying breath.

 ah, sweet lady, though they leave me

 dead upon the field,

 happy knight, if thou receive me

 home, upon my shield!”

 The words of Leo's citation of Honor  were peculiarly appropriate: “his sacrifice will help to keep aglow the flaming torch that lights Our Lives -- That Millions yet unborn may know the Priceless Joy of Liberty.”  So completely had a Leo molded his whole being to Mary's pattern that  it was  Mary herself who glowed in all his words and all his actions. He once wrote: “my whole self --  soul and body --  is ever aflame with love for Mary, Queen of the Skies.” Leo kept that torch burning in the sanctuary of his soul. And that flaming torch was Mary, the Mother of God.

Chapter 14

 the song of a knight

 on the morning of August 19th 1945,  our family and friends gathered at st. Clement's church in  Tarentum, Pennsylvania, for Leo's funeral mass.  in this church, in 1921, Leo  Had been baptized. Here he had received his First Holy Communion and many holy communions afterwards, which forged the strong bond that kept him close to Jesus, his best friend. his casket was covered with the American flag, and a guard of honor stood at attention. I was privileged to offer the Holy Mass. This sacrifice --  offered on the cross, now renewed in an unbloody manner upon the altar -- Maid of the sacrifice of Leo's life most precious. The blood of Two Soldiers was, in a sense,  mingled In a joint sacrifice of their  lives and offered for the Peace of the  World.

 later st St. Clement's Cemetery our grieving family and many friends stood at the open grave as Leo's mortal remains were about to be laid in their final resting-place near the grave of his little sister Mildred, whose drowning he witnessed  And whose his funeral he himself arranged. Here, too on the family plot, the mother of God had her place of honor. For shortly after Leo's death a cement statue of the Immaculate Conception, painted brilliantly white, was erected on a pedestal of Natural Stone near the spot where he was to be buried. Directly below the statue a bronze Plaque bears the inscription:

 technical Sergeant Leo E Lovasik

( 1921-1943)

 Knight of Our Lady, Queen of the Skies

after the recitation of the prayers of the church at Leo's grave, a military ceremony followed.

 the post commander of the American Legion began the military service with the words: “another comrade has been called to the high command; he has gone to report to the commander of all.”

 Then the military chaplain said a prayer: “Eternal God, supreme commander of us all, lord of the far-flung battle line, to whom the ranks of life Report, we bow before thee with Reverent hearts and  in Sublime faith, knowing that Thou dost Lead us on in death  as Thou dost in life. For again Thou hast ordered a comrade  to that Realm were Beauty and  Valor and goodness dwell forever. Mindful of  Service nobly done, Thou hast called him to Everlasting  rest. Thou hast sealed his lips.... Thou hast called him to Eternal peace... Until for us also the Day break and the Shadows flee away, grant us so to live that our Lives May honor the comrades who have gone before us. thus together  may we come to that city which Thou hast prepared for them that love Thee and keep Thy Commandments…”

the commander then continued:

“We come to honor the memory of one who offered his life in the service of his country; who has now enrolled in a  Great spiritual Army. but in the memory of man, their souls go marching on, sustained by the pride of service in time of national danger. Because of them our lives are free;  because of them our nation lives;  because of them the world is blessed….”

 With these words the commander removed the flag from the coffin, place a Poppy under the coffin and said, “farewell, my comrade”.  Then, after folding the flag neatly, he walked over to Leo's mother and presented it to her.

 I felt proud of Leo's mother and mine as she raised the flag to her lips and reverently kissed it as a pledge of her Devotion to her country and as an expression of her willingness to give even the life of her son as a price to be paid for the defense of her country and the preservation of Peace in the world. She pressed the flag to her heart as the tears rolled down her cheeks. Then, still pressing the flag to her heart, she walked toward the   casket, bent over it and imprinted A Kiss upon it as the last Act of fond farewell to the son she sacrificed.

 The commander ordered: “salute the Dead.”

 The firing squad fired three rounds from elevated muzzles.  as the sounds of the gunshots re-echoed through the hills, the bugler began playing taps, with two bugle Echoes from different parts the cemetery. The escort formed into columns, marked in Quick Time to the point where it had assembled, and was dismissed.

 As we stood around The  casket, resting almost at the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, I could not help thinking of a knight lying dead on the battle field after having made the Supreme sacrifice as a tribute of loyalty to his Heavenly lady. This was the night who gloried In calling himself the  knight of Our Lady, Queen of the Skies.  he  Loved Mary with  the Simplicity of a little child and the ardor of a gallant Knight ready to offer his life for the lady  he loved.  nowhere in writing did he reveal more convincingly the tenderness and genuineness of his Devotion to the mother of God then in these lines he wrote about his Queen of the Skies shortly before he died. They are an overflow of his Fervent love for her and an expression of his  ardent longing to be with her.

“Many a time while I am up in the heavens, Soaring the moonlit Sky, I peer through the tiny window near my radio table and reflect upon the ravishing wonders below which our creator has blessed us with. Then as i gaze toward the silver, sterile brightness of the Moon, I seem to observe Mary’s silhouetted form against the radiance. She seems So tremendously holy and beautiful up there that I whisper, ‘there she is, the queen of the skies, in her  immaculate  gown of evening!’ Ejaculations of prayer issue  from my heart that burns with love of her, and  each fleecy Cloud passing before that Moon Glides  (as it were) into a dip of reverence to the queen of the Skies. They are her servants too. They even Bear her Pure White symbol of  loveliness.”

  as Leo gazed at the graceful formations of the moonlit clouds, his thoughts may have drifted back --  like these clouds around his B-24 Liberator bomber --  to the shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes in his Parish church and other signs of Mary Where he  derived strength and inspiration.  the Sparks of this inspiration  seemed to reach down through the years to this evening when he seemed to see again Mary Immaculate appearing in her Silver sterile Majesty of God's firmament surrounded by the soft glowing mantle of the blue  Of the skies.  glittering stars decked her mantle like so Many diamonds. He may have recalled how two thousand years before, an Archangel had  bowed in reverential awe before this beautiful maiden and saluted her, “hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee, blessed art thou among women”, and how on February 11th 1858, Bernadette  gazed in childlike wonderment as the radiant face of this gracious Lady  At Lourdes and  heard her say, “I am the Immaculate Conception”.  less than four years before these apparitions at Lourdes, on December 8th  1854, the Supreme pontiff of The Universal Church, Pope Pius the 9th, had knelt in homage to the same electric child of God and proclaimed her “in the first instance of her conception, immune from all stain of original sin”.  at Lourdes the Spotless Queen had come to confirm be infallible utterance of God's vicar on Earth and declared herself not only immaculately conceived,  But the “Immaculate Conception”.

 and if Leo could have looked into the future --  just 11 years later,  how eagerly he would have accepted the solemn  declaration of the dogma of our lady's assumption by Pope Pius the 12th:

“by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, of the Blessed Apostles Peter and Paul, and by our own authority, we Pronounce, declare, and Define it to be a divinely revealed Dogma:  that the immaculate Mother of God, the ever Virgin Mary, having completed the course of her Earthly life, was assumed body and soul into Heavenly Glory.” --  Pope Pius the 12th, November 1st 1950.

 what a joy Leo would have felt at the encyclical letter of Pope Pius the 12th on the Royal Dignity of the Blessed Virgin Mary and on the institution of her feast, August 11th 1954. “by our Apostolic Authority we decree and establish the Feast of Mary’s Queenship, which is to be celebrated every year in the whole world on May 31st.  we likewise ordained that on the same day the consecration of the human race to the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary be renewed, cherishing the hope  that through such consecration a new era May begin, joyous  in Christian peace and in the Triumph of religion.”

 and if Leo could have looked still further into the future --  just 15 years later, he would have been thrilled to celebrate February 11th 1958, the Centenary of The Apparition of Our Lady of Lourdes.

 Lourdes of a hundred years ago seemed to be repeating itself as a radio operator In a B-24 Liberator bomber  gazed through a window and observed in the  varied formations of the clouds Exquisite images of his loving mother Mary.  he prayed with Bernadette-like Simplicity and devotedness,  yet with all the chivalrous love of a modern Knight fondly pronouncing his solemn profession of undying love to his lady, the queen of the Skies. He left that message in his last letter.

“then I Ponder deeply and ask myself, ‘am I her knight?’  Oh Mary, am I worthy enough to be your  Valiant knight?  truthfully, my queen, I know I am utterly undeserving of that title. What commendable quality do I have to show for myself? Oh Mary, make me your own nevertheless. Teach me the rule of your Knighthood. I shirk, instead of being brave and courageous; I am often weak  In battling against Satan's forces. The flame of your love in my heart is too weak. It must be fervent, Everlasting!

 Mary, Queen of the Skies, make me your knight!  With your help I can do what is expected of me. I have one characteristic of a knight --  my uniform --  and that I did not get through any Merit of my own;  yet I am determined to give honor to it. I have external Insignia on it, even a pair of ‘wings’ which may have been meant for another uniform.  But, queen of your Knighthood, give me internal Insignia to Adorn my soul, and furnish me with the wings of your Knighthood so that I may soar through the skies to your sacred Gardens!

 Until I have been made your knight, fair lady, I cannot be classified as a true warrior, battling for my country. Your Knights are victorious!  would that each man of our Armed Forces could bear that Noble title,  so that We all might Bravely Clash with  our foes and bring peace to the world once again!  Queen of the Skies, patroness of our beloved United States of America, I Look to You for victory! I crave to be ‘yours for victory’!

 May I have my sword and shield now, Mary? I am ready to take upon myself the duties as well as the honor of a knight of Mary.  bless Me, O Queen of the Skies! Make me your knight!

 a string of prayerful gems such as these, following each Cloud  Flows from my bomber to  the Abode of Mary's heart. This is how many  A night is passed away.”

Other words of Leo's ring out like a prophecy and a parting prayer:

“Thanks a lot for the beautiful Medal of our blessed lady. It  shall be a reminder that I am fighting for her. You recall how the Knights of old  Wore some token for the lady for whom they fought in combat. What could be a greater token of love than to  Carry with me the image of my darling mother Mary?  The  metal shall ever be with me --  even unto death. I pray that I may ever be worthy to be our lady’s knight;  that the Insignia I wear on my left sleeve   May Aid me  in getting more boys to join the ranks of ‘knights of our Lady’.

 Mary's mantle is Bullet-proof. I have pledged myself to be her Knight. you have read of the chivalrous Deeds of the Knights of old, and how they defended those who  were weak, righted wrongs, and fought for justice. This is exactly what I am doing now --  rather, what I am going to fight for --  and Mary shall ever be at my side. She shall direct my course. Every night as my plane zooms through the skies, I think of my lady whom I am fighting for. She is the patroness of the United States and I know she is watching over me.

your own,

 Leo 

knight of Our Lady, Queen of the Skies.”

 “The song of Bernadette”   was  a message given to her by Heavens Queen: “ penitence,  penitence;  Penitence!” it may well be that the immaculate Mother of God has chosen Leo to be not only her knight,  but also her Soldier-Messenger to America remind our nation of her position in the economy of Salvation  and  of world-peace, for in his farewell letter to his fellow Americans  he wrote:

“When I shall have slipped The Surly Bonds of Earth, and dance the skies once again on laughter-silvered Wings, Nearer to my lady, queen of the Skies,  I WILL REMEMBER YOU ALL TO HER AND HER SON! May they give you ever greater strength to live good Catholic lives, and more than ever before mold you into true, Valiant Americans to carry on this war not only in the spirit of patriotism, but above all in constant prayer. Never give up, even when the last Ray of Hope is fading, for God and his mother, Queen of the skies, are on our side to Aid our fliers in every need, in every Peril. May she, the Queen of the Skies, give us strength in battle, that Divine  vigor which you all pray that we may have!  May she, Queen of the Skies, bring back her bomber, a ‘liberator’ of mankind!”

 how well these words point out of the conditions for a true and Lasting peace! “ To live good lives….  To live in constant prayer.”  By keeping God's Commandments faithfully and by constant prayer we can obtain God's protection and his peace. Only then will “ God and his mother be on our side”.

 Leo speaks in the name of thousands of young American soldiers who laid down their lives for their country in World War II and  In Korea.  the white crosses and cold tomb-stones over their graves Are a silent warning To America that even their lives cannot pay the price for a lasting peace unless Americans themselves  Turn to God in Humble Contrition and in the determination to give up the ways of evil   which bring down God's just punishment Upon Our Nation. Leo's life-story is an appeal especially to all of us Catholics of America to pray to the mother of God, the Immaculate Conception -- to whom our country is dedicated --  that she may bring Peace and Freedom to the world. He  once  prayed, “Mary Immaculate, Queen of the Skies, patroness of our beloved United States of America, I Look to You for victory and peace.”

 And as We turn to the last page of the simple account of Leo's life-story, may his “ideal” --  which voices is the ideal of each American Soldier killed in battle and serves as a reminder of the type of patriotism America needs --  be inscribed on the fleshy tablets of our hearts, never to be forgotten:

“the ideal I treasure in my heart and ever hold up before me urges me on to an objective that is based on truth and Justice and  Charity. I cherish the honor and duty to defend those I love at home and to fight for the continuance of our way of life in our beloved America.... All my strength must be concentrated on doing my duty in life while there is still time to crush the spirit of hatred which strives for the Mastery of the world. Just as surely as the sun rises on the morrow, so certain am I That our beloved America, to which I have dedicated my young life, will carry THE TORCH of peace and destroy the serpent of War;  open the heavens, as it were, so that the birds may sing again without fear and Angels’ songs will Resound once more, ‘peace on Earth to Men of Good will!’”

 Leo's mother walked slowly and resolutely from the grave with her arm in mine. As we walked arm in arm from the cemetery, Mother cast one last glance at At Leo's grave and said serenely, “God is good. May his holy will be done!”  I couldn't help thinking of the picture of “the return from Calvary”, depicting our lady and St. John casting a final glance at  the three crosses on the mountain of Calvary, and I seemed to see the Valiant Virgin Mary, the gold-star mother of  all time, leaving the place of sacrifice where she had just watched her Divine son, like a good soldier, die in action. How well she remembered his words, “greater love than this no man  has, that a man lay down his life for his friends”. as a co-victim with him her heart was pierced by a sword of Sorrow as she breathed the prayer that characterized her whole life: “be it Done to me according to Thy Word.”

 As we walked slowly and silently from Leo's grave, some words he wrote in his last letter came to my mind: “my lady is waiting for me. Shall I be allowed to accompany her?”  Leo left the choice to his Queen of the Skies, I thought. She was waiting for him. She wanted him to accompany her. The queen of the  Skies  had come for her knight.

 And today in the Magnificent Court of his Queen Leo  surely keeps his promise: “when I shall have slipped The Surly Bonds of Earth, and dance the skies once again on laughter silvered-wings, NEAR TO MY LADY, QUEEN OF THE SKIES, I WILL REMEMBER YOU ALL TO HER AND HER SON!”

Citation of Honor

 United States Army Air Forces

 technical sergeant

  Leo e Lovasik

 329th bomb Sq.     938th Bomb Grp.  A.A.F.

 who gave his life in the performance of his duty

 August 30th 1943

 he lived to bear his country's arms. He died to save its honor. He was a soldier….  AnAnd he knew a soldier's Duty. His sacrifice will help to keep aglow the flaming torch that  Lights our lives….  that Millions yet unborn may know the Priceless Joy of Liberty. And we who pay him homage, and Revere his memory, In solemn pride rededicate ourselves to a complete fulfillment of the task for which he so gallantly has placed his life upon the altar of man's freedom.

 H. H. Arnold

General US Army

 Commanding General Army Air Forces

In memoriam

 technical sergeant

 Leo E Lovasik

 November 13th 1921 --  August 30th 1943

 Prayer

 Lord Jesus Christ, who hast said, “ greater love than this no one has, that one lay down his life for his friends”,  and who hast died as a victim of charity,  graciously deign to reward Thy Soldier Leo,  who fought the good fight and in full submission to thy holy will cheerfully gave his life in Defense of his country's honor,  that its hearts and altars might be protected;  that thy kingdom of truth and life, Holiness and Grace, Justice, love and peace, might be spread among men!  Be pleased to Crown the uprightness of his life and his military Valor with Immortal glory in thy Heavenly Kingdom.  For the sake of  thy own virgin mother, whom he loved and revered as the queen of the Skies, Grant this prayer. Amen.

  requiescat in  Pace.

Leo's grave at st. Clement's Cemetery, Tarentum, Pennsylvania. the white stone statue of the Immaculate Conception was erected in his memory.

Leo's home at 211 West 7th Avenue, Tarentum Pennsylvania. The place of his birth, November 13th 1921.

Leo at the age of 5 visiting his brother Lawrence (left) At the seminary in Girard. Leo made his last visit here 16 years later, 3 months before his death.

Leo at the age of 7 with his father and baby brother.

age 10. A 5th grader at st. Clement's School Tarentum.

a freshman at the Divine word the Seminary, Techny Illinois, 1935.

with his brother, father Lawrence, then a philosopher at the same Seminary.

Leo at 14 with his father and brother.

an Enthusiast of all sports, especially baseball.

study time at the Seminary

in the infirmary after an accident in sports

The lovasik family on the occasion of Father Lawrence's first Mass in Tarentum Pennsylvania, August 1938. back row standing: Leo, father Lawrence, Wilma, Mildred. middle row seated: mother, father, Marcelo, Grandma lovasik, Grandma zalibera. seated in front: Raymond, Milan.

Leo at home after graduating from high school. Age 18.

Leo's High School graduation picture, June 1939.

Leo in training at Harlingen Texas, 1942.

downtown in Harlingen Texas

Leo's winning smile

Leo in the Air Corps uniform, 1942.

Mary ann, Leo’s st. Louis sweetheart, 1942.

technical sergeant and Silver “Wings” of the 8th Army Air corps.

Leo at Gunnery School, Texas, 1943.

ready for flight

Leo beside a B-24 bomber and a bomb.

Leo's last picture with his parents, father Lawrence and his sister, Marcella. A visit at the Divine word Seminary, Girard Pennsylvania. May 1943.

with his mother

with Father Lawrence

with his sister Marcella

with his brothers father Lawrence and Raymond

Leo's last visit to the Lourdes Grotto at the Divine word Seminary, Techny Illinois. 1943, where he frequently prayed as a student.

Leo’s first grave in a military cemetery in England, 1943, a picture of which was sent to his mother

Mary Ann. The first picture she gave Leo in St Louis, 1942.

Leo's mother

father Lawrence 1955

Leo's casket in The Parlor of his home in tarentum. his remains were brought over from England and he was buried at st. Clement’s Cemetery in tarentum, August 19th 1948.

Leo's gravestone at st. Clement’s Cemetery

Mary Ann as a novice 1944

at her first profession, August 1947, with her mother (right) and sister.

Monument of the Immaculate Conception dedicated to the knight of our lady, queen of the skies, Saint Clement’s Cemetery, Tarentum Pennsylvania.

Leo's mother at The Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in the garden of her home in Tarentum Pennsylvania, 1948.

Leo's family taken at his home in Tarentum, 1954. back row: Wilma, Milan, Raymond, Marcella. front row: father, father Lawrence, mother. Mildred died in 1940.

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