For Treasure Chest Thursday, I’m posting this little booklet I found in my Dad’s old stuff some time ago. My Dad’s family was Catholic. They went to parochial school, did communion and confirmation, went to church on Sunday. My Grandma was a regular church goer well into her 80s.
I am not sure of the history of this booklet. Was it a joke? Was it given to my Dad seriously? Maybe when he was drafted for the Korean Conflict his Mom gave it to him for a sense of security–hers as well as his.
This is the cover of the booklet. It measures only about 2 inches by 3 inches and could easily fit in one’s pocket.
This is the inside. I like the fact that it has his name and then “Chachy”. He signed all his photos to his Mom “Chachy”.
Does anyone know the history of these booklets? In the 1940s and 1950s, was it common for Catholics to carry a little booklet like this? Did it tell emergency personnel that a Priest might be necessary for last rights? Was it so the same respect could be given in the military if something had happened to my Dad?
This is legit and definitely serious; probably fairly common among Catholics of that era. And yes, it was so that a priest could be called for last rites if necessary.
Greta, thanks for the information. It makes me wonder when it was given to him. I have an army photo from 1951 that he gave his Mom and signed it Chachy. So, I know that was a nickname shared between them. Maybe she gave him the little book before he went in. Or maybe it was something given to him earlier at Communion or Confirmation.