At age 60, the hale, gray-flecked Father Viktor deserved to rest on his laurels. Despite an economic depression, vacillating support from an American mother province, and interference from a growing National Socialist movement, the indomitable Passionist Provincial had established a thriving German-Austrian Foundation. But in the 1930's, as Adolf Hitler's fanatical orations beguiled a defeated German nation, Father Viktor soon discovered that his most harrowing spiritual trials awaited him.
Shortly after his ascension to power, Hitler launched an organized campaign against the Catholic Church and religious Orders operating in Germany. Each passing year, new laws eroded limited religious freedom. By 1938, foreign nationals were prohibited from performing ministerial duties for German parishioners. While other American religious were forced to flee the country, Father Viktor circumvented the Nazi decree: he resided in Maria Schutz long enough to acquire Austrian nationality, which transferred into German citizenship after the 1938 Anschluss. Considered "German-American," Father Viktor remained in Schwarzenfeld and continued ministering to the town's faithful Catholics. His fellow German Passionist and friend, Father Paul Böminghaus C.P., endured the Nazi assault on religion with him. Together they braced themselves against the winds of impending war sweeping across Europe. Powerless to prevent its onset, the Fathers despaired as German forces impressed their students, Passionist Brothers, and fellow priests into labor battalions and the army.
Father Viktor's spiritual brethren remember him quoting a favorite bible verse from the book of Job during troubled times: "God had given, God has taken away, praised be His holy name." This aphorism held great meaning for him, for it alludes to the bereavements he experienced at a young age. As the Nazis dismantled the Foundation he'd fought to establish, first depleting its monasteries of students and Novices, then closing facilities one at a time, he relived that painful lesson in faith — but its most unbearable manifestation occurred in April 1941, after Gestapo agents unexpectedly visited the Miesbergkloster. Written by an unknown American Passionist who returned home after the war's outbreak, the German-Austrian Foundation's Chronicle depicts unfolding events:
"Even before Father Valentine's death (in February 1941), the Nazis had been threatening to take over the Schwarzenfeld monastery. Through the influence of Cardinal Faulhaber their designs had been frustrated. Finally we received orders to abandon the monastery by noon of Holy Thursday (April 10, 1941). [We made an appeal requesting an extension allowing us] to celebrate the Holy Week services. This was granted and the time limit extended to noon of the Wednesday after Easter. While at dinner on Wednesday the doorbell rang and the brother who answered the bell returned to inform us that two men in Party uniform demanded to see the Rector. Father Viktor told Father Paul and Father Walter to accompany him. The mayor of Schwarzenfeld, a fallen-away Catholic and leader of the N.S.V. (National Socialist People's Welfare Association) was in the parlor. Here a short dialogue ensued.
"Father Paul, the Rector, asked what they wanted. [The Nazis] replied, 'We have come to take over the monastery.'
"To this Father Viktor answered, 'There is nothing to take over, we're staying.'
"[The Nazis] then said, 'But we have orders to take over.'
"Father Paul: 'And we have orders from the Cardinal of Munich to stay.'
"They then said, 'There must be some misunderstanding. We'll have to inquire.'
"Then they left. Father Viktor, feeling that a victory had been won, decided to celebrate with a good cigar. While we were smoking, Fathers Paul and Walter said that the Nazis would be back. But Father Viktor replied, 'You two have no faith.' After a rest, we went down to the village to tell the Pastor [likely Dean Josef Spangler] and the Sisters [at the local convent], who knew that the time was to expire at noon and who had been praying for us, that we were still in possession. From there we went to the former Pastor's home to tell him how things stood ... But before we had a chance to do any celebrating, a Gendarme entered and upon seeing Father Viktor, said: 'Oh, here you are ... You must leave the monastery within an hour ... otherwise you'll have to face the consequences.'"
Palpable tension pervades the pastor's sitting room as Father Viktor directs a steely gaze toward the departing Gendarme. He snatches the telephone and contacts Cardinal Faulhaber's office, praying for an eleventh-hour miracle allowing him to retain control of the Miesbergkloster. His dwindling hopes crumble when Cardinal Faulhaber's representative informs him that, since a Gendarme issued the evacuation order, the Passionists must comply. If they fail to cooperate, they will be resisting the State's lawful authority and are therefore risking penalization. Crushed by this turn of events, Father Viktor and his Passionist brethren hasten back to the Miesbergkloster, where they face the daunting task of gathering their belongings in one hour.
Next: Part 6 — The Cross and the Swastika »