The Decoy Doughboy

Souvenir Edition -- Printed in Czechoslovakia

May 23, 1945. -- Publishes by and for the men of the 18th Combat Team. -- First Infantry Division, U. S. Army.

HUNDREDS OF DECOY CATHOLICS SEE THERESE NEUMANN

Therese Neumann, the Bernadette of Germany, was found by riflemen of the regiment dwelling unharmed in the bomb-shattered village of Konnersreuth, a few miles south of the Sudetenland city of Eger. Bearing wounds like those suffered by Christ at the Crucifixion, this 47 year old woman has abstained from food and water since 1927, except for her daily Communion.

Decoy Doggies sweeping toward Eger, discovered the miniature village in smoking ruins; the only buildings still intact were Therese Neumann�s small home and the village curch. They also found Father Naber, the village priest, and the organist, Adelaide Dombrowski, arranging flowers on the altar. The trio was overjoyed at the sight of Americans, knowing that with Allied victory, Nazism�s regime was finished.

On first seeing Therese Neuman one is struck by two amazing facts. The first being her healthy and robust appearance despite her prolonged fast, and secondly, her utter simplicity of manner. There is no affectation, no supernatural posing, and no ,,hokus-pokus�, but one sees a realistic, middle-aged peasant woman made beautiful by her constant association with the divine.

With Fraulein Dombrowski translating, Father Naber relates the story of Therese�s life . . Born in 1898 of peasant parents, she led for 22 years the life of an ordinary smalltown German girl. Then one day in the year of 1920, due to a fall she was afflicted with a spinal paralysis and lost her sight as a result. For seven years she was unable to rise or sit up in her bed, until in 1926, on the day of St. Benedict�s Feast, a vision spoke to her during a dream.

Trough her conversation and fervent avowal of faith in the Savieur, she was, that day, cured of her invalid state. To her people she spoke the words which were to become her theme of life: �More souls are saved through suffering than by grand words of man. Through suffering I will devote my life to the glorifying of Christ's name. A few days later the stigma of open wounds on her hands, head, feet, and heart, appeared with the pain from bleeding that
appeared. She admited to Father Naber at the time, that the pain was great, but announced her intention of abtsaining from food and water for the remainder of her natural days.

Since that day she has steadfastly remained faithful to her pledge, shunning any compensation or fame which her remarkable story might call for, and unstintigly devoting her free time to the church. During these past seventeen years Therese has undergone many experiences which have convinced thousands of world visitors that she is gifted with unusual powers. Seated in a private prayer booth behind the Church altar, Therese has had visions of biblical events which coincide unquestionably with historical events. For instance, each Lenten period she passes with Christ through the Garden of Gethamane, through the trial presided ever by Pontious Pilate, through the crucifixion, and later the ressurection. Hours after, she will describe her visions in detail, even to the pronunciation of Roman and Hebrew phrases spoken by lesser known people, but identified by history. Any interrogater or educator, realizing her limited education, is convinced beyond a doubt as to the veracity of her story.

With the war over, Therese hopes for a return of the German people to a Christian way of life. Though realizing the war guilt Germany will be held accontable for, she firmly believes that national differences become inconsequential where religion is concerned.

The greatest lessen one can learn from seeing Therese Neumann is that Nazi idealogy, however powerful, was incapable of overcoming the spiritual influence of the Christian religion. Hitler and Co. were no match for Jesus of Nazareth and his disciples.