Advocate at 200: Newark residents pray for success of D-Day

Most Saturdays in 2020 The Advocate will publish a historic article in celebration of its bicentennial. This front-page story appeared on the June 6, 1944 edition of The Daily Advocate, the day Allied forces invaded Nazi-controlled France. It was surrounded by national news of the event, as The Advocate at the time was an evening paper and was able to report on the news from Europe in the morning. No author was listed on the local article.

Newark Prays for Safety of Invaders

Licking County folk today devoutly asked for the help of God as their husbands, sons and daughters participated in the world's greatest military operation in the invasion of France.

The customary prayers in the Catholic churches for an early termination of the war and God's protection for service men everywhere were repeated in this morning's early masses, the prayers taking on new significance as Allied soldiers landed on French soil in the fight of free people against the anti-Christ Nazi armies.

The Licking County Ministerial association promptly abandoned prearranged plans for a picnic today and, instead, held a retreat in the little village church in Chatham. The day's program was given over to devotion and prayer on behalf of the service men participating in the drive for the liberation of enslaved European nations.

Special intercessory prayer service was announced by Trinity Episcopal church tonight at 7:30 o'clock to offer prayer for the invasion forces. Tomorrow at 7 a.m. Holy Communion will be celebrated. A special intercessory service at noon Wednesday in Trinity church will be open to the public.

Announcement was made that all Granville churches were open all day for prayer for the success of the Allied forces.

All Newark churches are open daily for individual prayer for worshippers.