The following story goes to show how interconnected we all are, and how one person and an act of kindness can help change the course of history.
The woman in this photo is Frau Paula Dirrigl, posing with her husband Michael. She merits recognition in history as a kind soul who supported Frs. Viktor and Paul as they waged their campaign of peaceful resistance in the flower sacristy. The mistress of a boarding house on Schwarzenfeld’s Hauptstrasse (the German equivalent of a town’s “Main Street” here in the States), she devoted the vast majority of her days cooking meals for the tenants—and for the Passionist fathers. Every day Paula’s maid Fraulein Anna Thanner tucked a basket under her shawl and delivered food to the priests. This simple act of kindness made it possible for Fr. Viktor to remain in Schwarzenfeld throughout the war years, and be present when this town needed him most.
What I learned later from a German contact, Herta “Hedy” Arata. Paula bore a heavy cross. She had weathered a severe bout of scarlet fever when she was a child, which rendered her deaf throughout the rest of her life. It’s easy to imagine the profound challenges and patience required for communication. People had difficulty understanding her, and she relied upon lip reading to understand them.
Useful reminders
This post is part of a month-long series celebrating 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 »
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