Passionist International Bulletin

Passionist Life - WitnessesFr. Viktor KochA man of holy courage - a messenger ofpeaceThe following article and photographs were submitted byFr. Robert Carbonneau (PAUL), Provincial ArchivistIn May 2005, German and Austrian Passionists of theVice-Province of the Five Wounds (VULN), theAmerican relatives of Father Viktor Koch, C.P.(PAUL),(1873-1955), three American Passionists, and the peopleof Schwarzenfeld, Germany joined together in aseries of events to celebrate the holy courage of Fr.Viktor during the war years (1939-1945). With passion,excitement and thanksgiving, the people ofSchwarzenfeld shared their personal memories with theKoch family. Especially grateful was Ms. KatherineKoch who is writing the life of Father Viktor. Shegained invaluable insight. The Koch website is www.viktorkoch.com.Father Viktor was born in Sharon, Pennsylvania, andPoster: Viktor Koch (PAUL)Historical Seminar 1945- 2005Fr. Viktor Koch, C.P. - the friendly enemy?The Founder of the Monastery, under the swastikaordained a Passionist priest in 1896 as member of American St. Paul of the Cross Province. Aftervarious assignments ministering to German-American Catholics, Father Viktor along with FatherValentine Lehnerd, C.P. responded to an appeal to assist Catholics in Germany and Austria. In1922 a foundation was established in Pasing, Germany, outside of Munich, and by 1932 thePassionists had established a preparatory seminary there. In 1925 the invitation was accepted fromthe Archdiocese of Vienna, Austria, to staff Maria Schutz, located in the scenic Austrian Alps.Maria Schutz, a pilgrimage shrine, became the novitiate. More American Passionists were sent. In1926 some men from Holy Cross Province joined the mission.When Adolph Hitler came to power in Germany in 1933, he made it extremely difficult forGermans to enter Austria. This helped Father Viktor to build, in 1934, the Passionist monastery inSchwarzenfeld, Germany, north of Regensburg. This was a tremendous economic and religiousblessing for the local people. In 1935 the Passionists approved the three foundations in Munich,Maria Shutz, and Schwarzenfeld to be the Vice Province of the Five Wounds.By 1941 World War II had reconfigured the German Passionist membership. Many GermanPassionist priests and seminarians had to enter the military. During the 1930s Father Viktor hadreceived Austrian citizenship. Consequently, when the "Anschluss" resulted in Germany andAustria being formed into one country, all Austrians automatically gained German citizenship.Uniquely, Father Viktor was not deported even as other American Passionists had to return home.He was allowed to stay in part of the Schwarzenfeld monastery much of the time with fellowPassionist Father Paul Boeminghaus, who was arrested for a short time. During the early 1940s theNazis used the monastery for a school and study center for atomic research. Nevertheless, throughoutthis period local Catholics known as the “Blacks” defied Nazi prohibitions and continued to37