Learn More About:
Facets of the Father Viktor Project
About the Town of Schwarzenfeld, Germany
Schwarzenfeld lies in the northeastern quarter of Bavaria, in a lush, hilly region known as the Oberpfalz (Upper Palatinate). The town's name means "Black Field" in English. When its founders established a settlement on the banks of the Naab River in 1015, they named it after the fertile loam that nourished their crops.
About the Passionists, Father Viktor's Religious Order
The Passionists were founded in 1720 by St. Paul of the Cross (Paolo Francesco Danei, 1694-1775). It was his lifelong conviction that God's presence is most easily found in the Passion of Jesus Christ. He devoted his life to spreading this message.
About the Researchers: Gary and Katherine Koch
This site is maintained by Fr. Viktor's grandnephew Gary, and great-grandniece Katherine. We began our investigation after discovering a site referencing the funeral for atrocity victims at Schwarzenfeld. Further investigation led us to Mr. Pancoast's research and a quest to make Fr. Viktor's heroism known to the public.
About the Father Viktor Project and This Website
This web site was created to promote our family history project, and to communicate Father Viktor's unknown story to the general public. It was first launched in 2003, shortly after Gary and Katherine first learned Father Viktor's story.
Schwarzenfeld lies in the northeastern quarter of Bavaria, in a lush, hilly region known as the Oberpfalz (Upper Palatinate). The town's name means "Black Field" in English. When its founders established a settlement on the banks of the Naab River in 1015, they named it after the fertile loam that nourished their crops.
About the Passionists, Father Viktor's Religious Order
The Passionists were founded in 1720 by St. Paul of the Cross (Paolo Francesco Danei, 1694-1775). It was his lifelong conviction that God's presence is most easily found in the Passion of Jesus Christ. He devoted his life to spreading this message.
About the Researchers: Gary and Katherine Koch
This site is maintained by Fr. Viktor's grandnephew Gary, and great-grandniece Katherine. We began our investigation after discovering a site referencing the funeral for atrocity victims at Schwarzenfeld. Further investigation led us to Mr. Pancoast's research and a quest to make Fr. Viktor's heroism known to the public.
About the Father Viktor Project and This Website
This web site was created to promote our family history project, and to communicate Father Viktor's unknown story to the general public. It was first launched in 2003, shortly after Gary and Katherine first learned Father Viktor's story.