Catholic War Veterans of Atlanta

11/01/2026

On November 1st, the Church celebrates the Solemnity of All Saints, a tradition that dates back to the conversion and dedication of Rome’s Pantheon from a pagan temple to a Catholic Church. Some writings address the celebration taking place on this date in 800 AD. . . https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/solemnity-of-all-saints/

While many saints have a specific feast day on which we celebrate their lives and work, the vast majority of the saints of heaven do not. Today we celebrate All Saints, those men, women, and children who have gone before us and on whose shoulders we stand in our faith.

10/31/2026

The DoW is making easier, and more affordable, for service members seeking to become a military Chaplain. This is an important step to more effectively meet the moral and spiritual needs of the force. . . https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1CFUUXgW8f/?mibextid=wwXIfr

🚨BREAKING: SecWar Pete Hegseth just launched a new program that lets troops become CHAPLAINS without leaving the military, and the service branch PAYS for seminary.

ONE NATION UNDER GOD!✝️🇺🇸

"Chaplains are the moral backbone of this military."

"For years, a war fighter who felt called to the chaplaincy had only one [option]: take off the uniform, pay for seminary yourself, and then hope you can find and fight your way back in. We lost a lot of those great Americans, good warriors who wanted to answer God's call. But not anymore."

"President Trump's Department of War will not make you choose between the uniform and your calling."

- Active duty with a bachelor's degree — you stay in uniform
- Earn your graduate theological degree
- Keep your pay, allowances, and benefits
- Your branch covers the tuition
- Return to the force as a chaplain

"Be strong and very courageous. Your flock awaits."

10/31/2026

A local hero from Georgia. . . https://www.facebook.com/share/1CFup6gn8y/?mibextid=wwXIfr

He was the highest-ranking U.S. Army officer captured during the Vietnam War. After years apart, he wrote a book with his wife about how their love survived the distance.
His name was Benjamin Harrison Purcell Jr.
Everyone called him Ben.
He was born February 14, 1928.
He was born in Clarkesville, Georgia.
In 1946, he joined the Navy.
In 1948, he joined Army ROTC.
He studied at what is now the University of North Georgia.
He graduated in 1950.
He was commissioned an Army officer.
He fought in the Korean War.
He earned a Bronze Star as an infantry lieutenant.
He served with the 32nd Infantry Regiment.
He served at Fort Benning.
He built a long Army career.
In 1967, he volunteered for Vietnam.
He commanded the 80th General Support Group at Danang.
Then came February 8, 1968.
He was a passenger on a helicopter.
It flew from D**g Ha to Danang.
Enemy fire hit it near Quang Tri.
It crash-landed.
Six Americans were captured.
He was the highest-ranking Army officer captured during the war.
He was held for 1,874 days.
That is more than five years.
He was held in Laos.
He tried to escape.
He was recaptured.
He tried again.
He was recaptured again.
He never gave up.
In 1973, the Paris Peace Accords were signed.
He was released two months later.
It was March 27, 1973.
It was Operation Homecoming.
He was reunited with his family.
His first public words were about freedom.
“Man’s most precious possession, second only to life, is freedom.”
He earned two Silver Stars.
He earned two Legions of Merit.
He earned two Bronze Stars.
He earned two Purple Hearts.
He earned the Prisoner of War Medal.
He retired from the Army in 1980.
He wanted to be his own boss.
He ran a Christmas tree farm in Clarkesville.
He wrote a book with his wife, Anne.
It was called Love and Duty.
It told how they endured years apart.
From 1993 to 1997, he served in the Georgia House of Representatives.
He represented the area around Dawsonville and Dahlonega.
In 2011, a trail was dedicated in his name.
He died April 2, 2013.
He died in Clarkesville.
He was 85.
His funeral was held that Saturday.
An officer who was captured and never broken.
A colonel who came home and planted trees.
Rest easy, Ben.

10/31/2026

The beatification of five Franciscan priests who were killed by a breakaway group of Guale Indians in 1597 takes place today in Savannah; the five collectively are known as the Georgia Martyrs. . . https://www.facebook.com/share/1F1yzzuV7n/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Thousands expected in Savannah for historic beatification of five Georgia missionaries

Approximately 10,000 Catholics and visitors are expected to gather in Savannah on Saturday, Oct. 31, for the beatification of five Spanish Franciscan missionaries killed along Georgia's coast more than 400 years ago.

The ceremony will begin at 11 a.m. at the Savannah Convention Center, 1 International Drive.

The missionaries, known as the Georgia Martyrs, were Pedro de Corpa, Blas Rodriguez, Miguel de Anon, Antonio de Badajoz and Francisco de Verascola.

All five were killed in September 1597 during a conflict with members of the Guale, an Indigenous people who inhabited coastal Georgia before European colonization.

Historical accounts describe tensions between Catholic missionaries and Guale communities over religious teachings and Indigenous cultural traditions. Historians have offered differing interpretations of the circumstances surrounding the killings.

In January 2025, Pope Francis formally recognized the missionaries as martyrs, clearing the way for their beatification.

Beatification is a step toward sainthood in the Catholic Church and will grant the five missionaries the title "blessed."

The Savannah ceremony will be the sixth beatification held in the United States, with Catholic bishops from Spain, Rome and Africa among those expected to attend.

Registration has reached capacity, but the public can watch the ceremony through a livestream on the Catholic Diocese of Savannah's website or EWTN.

Read the full story in comments.

10/31/2026

Getting to know the Saints

October 31st, the Church celebrates St. Wolfgang of Regensberg, a tenth century German Benedictine monk and Archbishop renown for his zeal in Faithful preaching and clerical reforms. . . https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-wolfgang-of-regensburg/

Wolfgang of Regensburg served many years as a teacher before becoming a Benedictine monk. He was named the bishop of Regensburg by the emperor and served reluctantly but well until his death in 994.

10/30/2026

Getting to know the Saints

St. Alphonsus Rodriquez was a 16th Century Spanish Jesuit. Born into a well-to-do textile merchant family, Alphonsus inherited the business at age 23. Within three years he suffered the deaths of his mother, wife, and daughter leaving him as the widowed father of a young son. He then re-evaluated his life and sold the business. Following the death of his son, Alphonsus sought to enter the Jesuit Order but his lack of proper education prevented his being accepted for five years.

He became the porter at the Jesuit College of Majorca. There he led a life of prayer and contemplation, which influenced at least one seminarian who later became St. Peter Claver. . . https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-alphonsus-rodriguez/

Saint Alphonsus Rodriguez lost his mother, wife, and daughter within a period of three years. He retired to his sister’s home, and after the death of his son, he entered the Jesuit Order, where he served as college porter. Saint Peter Claver was a seminarian during Saint Alphonsus’ time at the c...

10/30/2026

We who once stood in the breach, guarded the gates, and manned the walls chose to wear the RED in honor of those service members who stand the watch today and their family members awaiting their safe return. . .

10/29/2026

This PSA is a reminder that we once again change our clocks on November 1. . .