Foreword

The Holy Year of Our Lord, 1950, comes at mid-century of an era of anguish for the children of men. The precious blood of millions of men, women and little children of nearly every country has been spilled in a world still torn by suffering and strife, and other millions of maimed, sick and destitute still roam homeless throughout lands disfigured by wounds of war.

Monsignor Swanstrom has personally visited many of these lands and been witness to the grief and sufferings of many of these misery-ridden peoples. Of them and their desolation and agony he writes with understanding and compassion, and I pray that those who may be fortunate pilgrims to the Shrines of the Apostles during the Holy Year, and all who live in our blessed land of liberty and bounty, will remember with prayers and active charity God’s pitiful pilgrims who, with heart-rending truth, have been called, “Pilgrims of the Night.”

Archbishop of New York

Cardinal’s Residence 452 Madison Avenue New York 22