Table of Contents
Appendix 8d
Paroles de Consolation et d'Encouragement
(Words of Consolation and Encouragement)
Albert Nicole, the chaplain at the German prisoner of war camp at Zossen, wrote this sixteen-page pamphlet for the benefit of French and
Belgian POW's. This book is representative of the spiritual readings WPA secretaries distributed to Allied prisoners across Germany
during the war. The Furche (Furrow), the publication branch of the German YMCA Student Association, produced the book (a list of
other inspirational publications available to prisoners are printed on the inside back cover).1
Nicole opened the work with a Bible verse from the Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15, Verses 11-24) and uses the story as his message of consolation and encouragement for war prisoners. Far from family members and facing an undetermined period of incarceration, spiritual relief became a key service for YMCA secretaries for languishing prisoners. The Association strove to distribute Bibles, religious tracts, spiritual pamphlets and other devotional materials to POW's in a wide range of languages. The promotion of spiritual health among war prisoners was equally as important for the YMCA as POW's physical and mental consitutions.
Appendices to Chapter 8:
Appendix 8a:
Appendix 8b:
Appendix 8c:
Appendix 8d:
Paroles de Consolation et d'Encouragement (Words of Consolation and Encouragement)
Appendix 8e:
Appendix 8f:
Appendix 8g:
Appendix 8h:
Appendix 8i:
Appendix 8j:
Notes:
Note 1: Albert Nicole, Paroles de consolation et d'encouragement, Germany: Furche, No Date. International Division Box 292: "Germany: Student Work, West German Bund, Miscellaneous Printed Material," Folder: "Germany: General Publications: Misc. Print, ND-1915," Kautz Family YMCA Archives, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN. back