.- A rosary and a Bible were among the final items Canadian troops were offered before heading out on a mission to Afghanistan earlier this month.
More than 1,000 troops, who packed into Notre-Dame Basilica for a service before leaving for their mission, were offered the two religious items, reported the Canadian Press. The service is a tradition with French-speaking troops.
The Quebec-based soldiers will make up the bulk of the 2,000 Canadian contingency that started shipping out Jan. 20. They are expected to arrive in Kabul by mid-February.
Bishop Donald Theriault of the Military Ordinariate of Canada prayed for the soldiers’ safety. He urged them to find their own spiritual peace before departing to help bring lasting peace to Afghanistan, reported CP.
