From Convent to Conflict; Or, A Nun's Account of the Invasion of Belgium

"From Convent to Conflict; Or, A Nun's Account of the Invasion of Belgium" by Sister Marie Antoine is a firsthand look at the chaos and fear experienced by a Belgian convent during the German invasion of 1914. The story chronicles the sudden disruption of their peaceful lives as war descends upon them, turning their school and sanctuary into a place of uncertainty and danger. The author describes how the initial tranquility of the Convent des Filles de Marie in Willebroeck, filled with the daily routines of education and prayer, is shattered by the looming threat of war. Through her eyes, we see how the news of the invasion throws the Sisters into alarm, forcing them to confront the stark realities of a conflict that endangers their lives and the safety of the young girls in their care, marking a profound shift from innocence to a harsh world of conflict.