MASS under the
BIG TOP
BY BISHOP F. RICHARD SPENCER
“F
ield Masses in Tents” (Big Tops) are very common in our military communities, especially during deployments and outdoor training events. These were my experiences these past summer months as I visited and celebrated Masses “Under the Big Top” during the multiple ROTC annual Cadet summer camps at Fort Knox, Kentucky, with the participation of over 5000 cadets. I also experienced the joy of participating in the yearly Active-Duty for Training (ADT) events at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin, which engaged over 47,000 men and women in uniform from multicomponent services (Activeduty, Army and Air Force Reserve, and Air National Guard). The love and reverence for the Eucharist stood out among these future ROTC military leaders during their summer camps. There was a field march event of 21 miles in each training cycle. The participants carried a 35-pound
12
backpack, started at 0300 (and each time, it was raining) and ended at the “Big Top” tent where I celebrated a 0700 Mass. More than 150 to 170 cadets enthusiastically attended the Masses. Granted, after only a few hours of sleep and after completing the 21-mile road march, some of the cadets struggled to stay awake, but yet they welcomed the opportunity to pray and participate at Mass. They had a choice to remove their wet uniforms and boots and head for bed or attend Mass. So, naturally, many decided to participate in the Mass. During my August visit to Fort McCoy, the summer Army Training (AT) training cycles were at full capacity. Primarily serving the training needs of Reservists and Guardsmen, the Fort was busy with over 2,000 active-duty troops preparing to receive up to 7,000 Afghan military and civilians fleeing from their native country for safety and new beginnings.
