Figure 1.--Herec an ARC worker is teaching games to girls at the Sacre Coeur Convent near Paris. The game was probably 'London Bridge is Falling Down'. The Convent school was one of the many centers assisting refugees. Click on the image to see the ARC worker. The ARC reports, "Before the war the sisters cared for 30 girls from poor families of the neighborhood, teaching them house work etc. to enable them to earn a living. When war came, the sisters offered half their convent for a 50 bed hospital for soldiers, taking the children into their own inadequate quarters to make room and nursing the soldiers themselves. They were unable to raise enough money to continue the work until they appealed to the American Red Cross which now contributes the supplies needed, clothing, sheets, etc."

Beginning with the French Revolution a major rift in French society began between the state and the Church. This varied over time with the Church's role in education being sharply reduced. Priests and nuns could not teach in the public schools, but the Church was allowed to operate schools, essentially private schools. There were both day and a few boarding schools, including covent schools. Some 33,000 Catholic priests joined the Army and 4,600 killed. Over 10,000 were awarded medals for bravery. The Church was very active on the home front. Catholic convents took in refugee children They Church centers and facilities were some of the many French groups that received ARC relief supplies. We are less sure about monastaries. We see many nuns involved at the many centers for the refugee children established throughout France.

Created: 2:31 AM 11/10/2022
Last updated: 2:32 AM 11/10/2022