by Danelle Cloutier

The St. James Cathedral in Toronto is launching an exhibit to honour Canadian military chaplains for the one hundredth anniversary of the declaration of the First World War. From November 6 to 16, 2014, the cathedral will exhibit Called to Serve, a collection of letters, artifacts, and stories that help explain the role of chaplains of all faiths. Organizers say it's the first exhibit of its kind in Canada.

“You can sum up the work of a military chaplain with one word — presence,” said Nancy Mallett, an archivist and museum curator at the cathedral. “They’re there to comfort, to counsel, and to help maintain the morale and the resiliency of the men.”

The organizers have been accepting submissions from people across Canada of different faiths. Among the items on display are travelling communion sets that chaplains carried with them in the trenches. Another item that will be on display is a hooked rug that a woman made from her grandfather’s old uniforms with a postcard that he sent home woven throughout. “We’re getting beautiful embroideries that are inspired by what we’re doing,” said Mallett. “It adds a depth to the exhibit that I’m delighted with.”

The exhibit, which is free of charge, will also have stories and artifacts from chaplains from other wars, including John Strachan who served as a chaplain during the War of 1812. In conjunction with the exhibit, the cathedral is on November 14 holding a performance of The Unknown Soldier, a composition by Andrew Ager that is dedicated to Ager’s grandfather who fought at Vimy Ridge.

Visit the St. James Cathedral website for more information about the exhibit.