For the English-speaking crowd, Herzschmerz is the German word for heartache. It’s an appropriate title for this post.
During our 2005 trip to Schwarzenfeld, one of the Passionist fathers in the town monastery dug through his closet and unearthed a real gem: a file folder brimming with letters from the 1940s.
The letters were correspondences between Fr. Viktor and Passionists impressed into the German army. Judging from the volume of this stash, he spent many a late night hunkered over a typewriter, composing letters to dozens of priests and novices serving on the front. Notes to Fr. Viktor invariably opened with Lieber Papa, Dear Dad. These young religious plainly regarded him as a spiritual father. He always replied back with gusto, “My dear So-and-So!” (Following salutations with an exclamation was one of his trademarks, particularly in close relationships.)
In 1942, Fr. Viktor wrote Confrater Leonhard Wölfl, C.P., a letter that clearly conveyed concern.
“My dear Leonhard! I received your letter from August 12, and you can imagine that I was glad to hear something from you again. Hopefully you will write repeatedly like my other religious sons, with whom I have a regular communication. All look to me as their dad, and on average, they write once a month…”
—Fr. Viktor Koch to Leonhard Wölfl, November 17, 1942.
I uncovered another paper in a different folder (below). It was a death card for Leonhard. He had fallen on the Russian front on October 4. The boy was already dead when Fr. Viktor wrote that letter. He was 23.
It hit me that Fr. Viktor was a man trapped in a surreal realm between both sides. Beloved nephews like Joe Koch were aiming the crosshairs of their rifles at German soldiers, while dozens of priests and novices who called him “Papa” were mounting a desperate effort to defend Germany—or shuddering in the bitter Russian winter. Only a fortunate few would return to the hallowed safety of the monastery. I can only imagine how wrenching it must have been, praying for Allied victory while tasting the sufferings of the enemy.
Useful reminders
This post is part of a month-long series reflecting upon historical events that contributed to my debut historical fiction novel, The Sower of Black Field. Visit the “Latest News” area on my website for a recap »
The Sower of Black Field is available in paperback, eBook / Kindle, and audiobook on Amazon. Get your copy »
