by: Chris Crytzer
At the Diocesan Pastoral Center in Downtown Pittsburgh, visitors can view two display cases that feature a World War II chaplainÕs Mass kit.
According to Ken White, director of the diocesan Archives and Records Center, this Mass kit belonged to Father Herman Baumann, who was a military chaplain and prisoner of war during World War II. He was born in Etna on Nov. 30, 1908, and died May 25, 1990.
ÒWe donÕt know if it was the actual kit he had in the prison camp or if it was a kit issued to him after his release. Either way, it shows the contents of the Mass kits carried by priests during World War II,Ó White said.
The display cases are in the first-floor waiting room of the Pastoral Center, 111 Boulevard of the Allies. About the display, Bishop Donald Wuerl said, ÒI am pleased to see that Father Baumann is given well-deserved recognition for his ministry, particularly as a chaplain during World War II.Ó
When the diocese decided to establish a waiting room at the Pastoral Center, White said, ÒIt was also decided to have some display cases to exhibit items reflecting the history of the diocese for these visitors to look at while they were waiting. There are five display cases, two of which contain Father BaumannÕs Mass kit and supplies.Ó
Retired Aux. Bishop John McDowell knew Father Baumann, saying, ÒHe went through terrible suffering as a captive of the Japanese. He used to talk about it, but not much ... He preferred not to talk about it. You could tell it had a very deep impression in his life.Ó
Bishop McDowell said he never brought up the war - out of respect - unless Father Baumann did first.
The bishop recalled a time when he told Father Baumann he was hungry. In response, Father Baumann told him about the incredible hunger pains he experienced while in captivity, saying, ÒYou donÕt know what hunger means.Ó
Bishop McDowell also remembered a touching story Father Baumann told him.
ÒHe befriended a Japanese guard and they became very close. A lot of them did it (served as guards) because they were afraid of what would happen to them. Every once in a while, this guard would get them a piece of bread and some wine to say Mass.Ó
In a speech Father Baumann delivered on the ÒWay of LifeÓ program that was broadcast on WCAE, he was quoted as saying, ÒI will never forget how interested the Japanese guards were as we set up the makeshift altar.Ó
Bishop McDowell said Father Baumann was a wonderful person.
ÒI respected him so much. He was a close friend.Ó
Prior to his death, Father Baumann was pastor emeritus of St. Conrad in Meridian. He became pastor at St. Conrad in 1961. Father Baumann died at Vincentian Home in McCandless Township following an illness.
He was assigned to the U.S. forces in Corregidor in the Philippines during World War II, where he ministered to soldiers while the island was under siege. Father Baumann was captured by the Japanese on May 6, 1942, when Corregidor surrendered. He was held prisoner for 40 months in the Philippines.
Father Baumann was awarded the Silver Star, the Bronze Star, Distinguished Achievement Award, the Presidential Unit Citation and the Prisoner of War Medal.
He attended All Saints School in Etna, Duquesne Prep School, Duquesne University and St. Vincent Seminary. He was ordained a priest on June 16, 1935, at St. Vincent Archabbey in Latrobe by Bishop Hugh Boyle.
Father Baumann served as assistant pastor of St. Patrick in PittsburghÕs Strip District from 1935 until March 4, 1941, when he left for active duty as an Army chaplain.
After the war, he returned to serve at St. Patrick until 1950. Father Baumann then became assistant pastor at St. Gabriel of the Sorrowful Virgin in Whitehall, where he stayed until 1953. Then he became pastor of St. James in New Bedford, where he served until 1955.
Father Baumann was assigned as pastor of St. Joseph in Carnegie from 1955 until 1961. After his retirement from St. Conrad, he lived in Meridian until 1988, when he moved to St. John Vianney Manor in Crafton, followed by Vincentian Home.
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