A Day in the Life

Written By Maureen Condon

Greetings from the United States Army Institute of Religious Leadership (or Chaplain School)!

The past five weeks have flown by. I am happy to report that my training is going well, that I am learning a lot, and that I am grateful for the opportunity to train as a chaplain to serve our troops.

In case you are curious, here's what my usual day looks like (to convert military time to regular time, subtract 12 after 1300):

  • 0430- Rise and morning offering (sometimes earlier!)

  • 0500- Platoon accountability and movement

  • 0530- First formation and physical readiness training

  • 0700- Movement, breakfast, hygiene, and morning prayers

  • 0830- Morning classes

  • 1200- Mass. lunch, daytime prayer

  • 1300- Afternoon classes

  • 1700- Evening prayer/ supper

  • 1800- Study, personal time

  • 2030- Night prayer and lights out (at the latest!)

The first four weeks of training focused on initial military training (with drill sergeants) and how to be an officer in the Army. The remainder of the training focuses on how to be an Army chaplain and do ministry in a military setting. Our cohort has 96 chaplains, of which seven are brother-priests.

I am grateful to Fr. Eduardo, our staff, and volunteers for keeping everything going in my absence. I miss you all very much and pray for you every day, particularly at Mass and in the rosary.

God bless you always!

My Mailing Address:
Chaplain Basic Officer Leader Course (Class # 25-001)
CH (CPT) Gerald Souza
USA-IRL
10100 Liberty Division Road
Fort Jackson, SC 29207-7090

Maureen Condon
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Congrats, Fr. Gerald!