Prisoner number

Name 1885 – 1968 Imprisoned in the concentration camp: March 13, 1942 until April 6, 1945 Artist Walter Habdank sees as somebody who took heaven along in his wheelbarrow on the tightrope of life. He met every event of his life with the attitude: The actions of human beings – even the most reprehensible – are temporal. Only the divine is eternal.

Father Kentenich, too, broke down while trying to pick something up from the ground; he, too, became ill; he, too, suffered from terrible hunger; he, too, did not know whether he would still live the next day; he, too, had to suffer through the illness and death of his loved ones; he, too, was in danger of death several times.

Original German pages, 2009! www.gedaechtnisbuch.de 1885 September 20 1944 March 9/10 On November 16 Kentenich was born in for interrogation in the building. Together with two other priests, Hans Carl His Life -Gymnich, near , and bap- He was detained because he had allegedly and Johann Maria Lenz, he was sent into the An Overview tized as Peter Joseph on November 19. “expressed himself in a disparaging way to- punishment bunker. ward the state and by his behavior showed 1849 his negative attitude toward the current April 11 3 KÖLN 4 Due to a difficult family background, he was government.” This was followed by four In Block 26 the separation of non-German 1 brought to St. Vincent’s in Ober- weeks of solitary confinement in the base- and German priests was decreed. Kentenich 3 (Erftstadt) hausen, near Duisburg, at the age of eight ment of the Gestapo building in , on Gymnich was moved to Room 3. and a half. His mother entrusted her child Vogelsang Street (im Vogelsang). BONN to the Mother of God. This Marian consecra- October 18 61 tion would mark Kentenich’s whole life. October 18 In celebration of the 30th anniversary of During the “preventive detention” in the Ge- the foundation of the Schoenstatt Move- 1899 stapo prison in Koblenz he obtained much ment, Kentenich gave important talks on Schönstatt Kentenich attended the Pallottine High help from the personnel. Two guards helped three days (September 24, October 18, and () 48 School in Ehrenbreitstein. him with his illegal mail contact. From De- December 8), which later would be referred KOBLENZ cember 13 on, he was able to celebrate to as the Third Founding Document. 1904 holy Mass in secret in his cell. He entered the Society of the . 1945 March 25 His noviciate and theological studies took 1942 January 20 Exactly on this day, the locality of Schoen- place in Limburg. After a serious inner struggle and despite statt was conquered by the Americans. weakened health, Kentenich turned down The place of grace remained unscathed 1910 all attempts on behalf of the Schoenstatt as by a miracle. This fact gave Father Ken- On July 8 he was ordained a priest in Lim- Family to save him from the concentration tenich hope for his own release. At the end burg and worked as a teacher for German and camp by means of a medical certificate. In of March, several priests were released. Latin at the high school run by his commu- a letter to his closest confidant, Father Men- On April 6, 1945, Father Kentenich was nity in Ehrenbreitstein. It became apparent ningen, Kentenich explained his decision to released from the Dachau concentration that he was a talented educator. Therefore in sacrifice his exterior freedom in order to ob- camp. However, he could not immediate- tain inner freedom for the Schoenstatt com- ly set out for Schoenstatt because of the 1912 munity and for himself. war. After short stays in Schoenbrunn and he was called to the newly built high school with the Pallottines in Freising as well as in in Schoenstatt-Vallendar to serve as spiritual March 11 Ulm, he stayed in Ennabeuren with Joseph director. Kulmus, a Schoenstatt priest. On May 17, Kentenich was transported to Dachau via he was picked up there by Father Mennin- Frankfurt and Wuerzburg. 1914 gen and his . They drove home via On October 18 he founded the Schoenstatt Stuttgart, Bruchsal, and Koblenz, stopping Movement together with young high school March 13 at St. Joseph’s hospital. On May 20, White students in the Chapel of St. , which He arrived in Dachau and had to stay in the Sunday, Father Kentenich’s homecoming from that moment on would be called the admission block for half a year. He would was celebrated in Schoenstatt. Kentenich “Original Shrine.” Kentenich dedicated his be in Block 13 until June, in Block 24 until referred to his time in prison in many of his life totally to the Mother of God. The Schoen- July 25, in Block 17 until August 23, in talks, especially during the “October Week” statt Movement, a movement of renewal Block 28 until October 13. of 1945 and later also abroad, and thanked within the Church, grew in the fol- the Schoenstatt Family for its loyalty. He lowing period. The number of its priests and June 24 worked wholeheartedly for the moral and committed lay persons increased along with A commission arrived from Berlin and assem- religious rebuilding of post-war . its various communities. So, Kentenich was bled an invalid transport of 4,000 prisoners. released for the ever growing movement. Kentenich was in great danger as he had 1947 not belonged to any work detail up to that He began his travels abroad to visit the 1935 point. The communist block leader Hugo Schoenstatt establishments cut off during The Schoenstatt Movement was watched by Gutmann saved him by slipping him into the the war – already since 1933 Sisters of Mary the Gestapo. The Nazis were suspicious be- disinfection work detail under the command had been sent to mission areas – and to cause of its educational work, the solidarity of Jakob Koch. After this danger had passed, strengthen them in their development. On within the community, and the dedication of he was officially placed into the work detail March 14 he had a private audience with its members in the parishes. In September, a for mending straw sacks on June 2929 in Pius XII. “special report” was prepared by the central Block 14 Room 3 (and temporarily Block 4 office for security in Berlin, entitled “Catho- and Block 10). 1949 – 1965 lic Associations” (German: “Das katholische While the founder was abroad, his work un- Vereinswesen”). In this report Schoenstatt derwent an episcopal visitation by Auxiliary was among those organizations that are July 2 Countless prisoners died of hunger in 1942. Bernhard Stein of , who affirmed listed with a detailed profile. One of the the orthodoxy of the Schoenstatt Work. main reproaches brought forward against On the background of the powerlessness Schoenstatt was the formation of an “elite and lack of rights experienced by the pris- Despite the fact that Kentenich’s teaching leadership” for . It was noted oners in the concentration camp, Kentenich, was judged favorably, he had to leave Eu- that Schoenstatt’s goal was the renewal of who trusted not only in Mary’s spiritual ef- rope, as demanded by the apostolic visita- Germany in the spirit of Catholicism and fectiveness, also declared her the “Mother of tor Father Sebastian Tromp, S. J., who was therefore it was useless for the ideals of Na- Bread” and “Mother of a Home,” the “Queen charged by the Holy Office with undertak- tional Socialism. The first searches followed. of the Camp.” ing a comprehensive examination of the Schoenstatt Work (1951 – 1953). In 1952, 1936 July 16 Kentenich was sent into exile in , The Schoenstatt Movement was more close- In Block 14 Room 3, Kentenich secretly Wisconsin, USA, where he worked as pastor ly watched and increasingly pressured. founded the Family Work and the Institute of the German community. In September of the Brothers of Mary together with his fel- 1965, toward the end of the Second Vati- 1939 low prisoners Dr. Fritz Kühr and Dr. Eduard can Council, Father Kentenich was called The House of Studies was diverted from Pesendorfer, respectively. to . In the meantime, the institutional its intended use by the National Socialists Church had changed its opinion about spir- itual movements in a positive way. On De- and instead occupied as a teacher training October 13 cember 22, he had an audience with Pope college. In November, the Gestapo wrote Kentenich was moved to the priests’ block, an extensive report about the Schoenstatt Paul VI and was able to return to Schoen- Block 26 Room 4. Soon he was asked to statt on December 24. He would be given Movement stamped as ”top secret informa- hold evening talks in his dormitory as he tion of the Reich.” Searches became more three more years to work intensively for the From top to bottom: had done in the admission block before. He Schoenstatt Movement. frequent and stricter. gladly agreed, and he gave a talk almost The town of Gymnich on 1940 every evening until April1 1 , 1944. During 1968 September 15 the typhus quarantine he additionally gave Father Kentenich died immediately after his a street map In spring, Father Joseph Fischer, spiritual a religious talk in Room 4 every afternoon, leader of pilgrimages, was detained in Ko- first holy Mass in the Church of the Blessed which was attended by about a hundred on Mount Schoenstatt. This church Birthplace in Gymnich blenz. After his release from prison he was ar- prisoners each day. This was too dangerous rested again in April 1941. From June 6 on, was built in thanksgiving for his happy re- to do in the camp chapel. he was in the Dachau concentration camp. turn from Dachau and the protection of the The Original Shrine in place of grace during the war. 2008 and 1941 1943 March 19 In August, another close co-worker of Fa- For his nameday he was allowed to cele- September 20 brate holy Mass in the camp chapel for the View of the inside with ther Kentenich, Father Albert Eise, was de- He was buried at his place of death in the nounced and arrested during a retreat in first time. former sacristy, now the Founder Chapel. the picture of grace Koblenz. The Gestapo found written notes More than 4,000 people from Germany and from Father Kentenich’s sermons among his March 25 abroad attended his funeral, among them Sarcophagus in the belongings. On September 14, Kentenich Since his mail was being confiscated by the the nuncio of Germany and several . Church of the was interrogated by Gestapo officials in the Gestapo, he decided to take up illegal mail retreat house in Schoenstatt. At the end of contact as he had already done in prison be- 1975 February 10 Blessed Trinity on the retreat course that had already begun, fore, in order to take over the direction of his The process of Father Kentenich’s beatifica- Mount Schoenstatt he had to appear on Work again as far as possible. tion was opened in Trier. vaccinated. vaccinated. ing in in army thatBlock26 hospitals all so priests could be work of Mary Sisters Schoenstatt the obtain vaccine from epidemic end atof the 1944, he was able via illegal mail to During typhus the many saved so aprisoner starvation. from and he handedpackage embargo out everything was lifted, the parcelsGutmann. after food When Kentenich received alasting impressionthis left communist on the blockleader hunger. from who especially oners suffered others, Among nourishment, pris those but also with shared food sparse the Kentenich did not spiritual only with provide prisoners the later on.”matured priests on working zealously kingdom forthe as and of God fruitfully or personalities heroically go in priestly as camp strong the we want either die to it, and wants if God daring(with trust), primitivelydo in not want react primitive to conditions but ofcamp in Dachau concentration the priests “We as follows: life in was foreveryday camp slogan the he gave priests the he gave religious Polish them the The in Latin. priests, talks during time the of quarantine. When he was in blockof the especially block, in priests’ the tenich even gave talks retreat this only was the spiritual impulse we received.” Father Ken or later in ofstreet acorner dormitory. along For the time in evenings, formeditation the us points itblock on the be are“We highly Father to indebted Kentenich, who offered being released: after wrote of Caritas, Director Carls, him in confide order to in him. see merous to of Some came them communists and socialists. inprisoners this way. He got along remarkably well nu with anyone’s constrict Heto helped many freedom. of his fellow and wasHis never others meant to work was always an offer main is The secondary. thing“That is only will the of God!” was answered: “Will we ever get outhim: of here again?” who asked AFrench priest especiallynew priests. prisoners, among distributed of Eucharist, which the he secretly particles who hadpriest already in forawhile, camp been the gave him Father Fischer, aSchoenstatt confessions blockstreet. on the spiritual counsel. He held spiritual and heard conversations In them. of spite support prohibitions,to he relentlessly gave camp,within steps” the tried their he took as “first cisely they many with Pre people. Kentenich SS, made the by contact usually in admission the long of stay anchicanery act block, Duringanimate his fellowsuch an un to attitude. prisoners forhimself He also to wanted and respect others. preserve widespread primitivethe in expressions camp, the in order to in aformaladdress everyone of way instead making of use means forexample, he used, was alwaysOne external to inown Schoenstatt. his with connection spiritual the through also alone, left never and supported was he that He felt coat. fora ple, request the exam for – worries and big little her with Mary. Mother Hegreat entrusted love and Blessed for God the just way he the had brought it in.” What helped him was his “bring idea to the went his with camp into the soul out back the official camp letters Fischer of and Dresbach. Fathers camp letters official the out of using camp in the smuggling succeeded reports coded about this, he beganIn looking end, the he fornew ways. When found he out Gestapo. the by were confiscated they A R “Fruits the Harvest” of and “Study on St. Paul” Taking Heaven along on the Tightrope Life of the merciless everyday life in the camp with faith. He life faith. merciless inthe with everyday camp the ight beginning, the from meet to Joseph Kentenich tried camp did not reach Schoenstatt anymore because anymore because didcamp Schoenstatt not reach endt the of 1942,fromthe Kentenich’s letters official ------

the “city ofslaves, and heathens, fools, “city the death” of con the solidarity, and Against hope. backdrop truth, the justice, of of his keystones vision The love, are joy,ues. freedom, purity, of an picture the ideal social order Christiancreates with val In individual the he “Heimatlied”). stanzas Song” (German: “Home called the several stanzas with is camp apoem tration and human beings horrible the despite in terror concen the Fernándes, María Jesús Ortiz and others. María Ortiz Jesús Fernándes, for example Sigrid Sister by Theimann, Walter Habdank, Juan At otherplaces paintings were and designed bronze works “Home on the based Song.” meeting place in Schoenstatt, windows in house the chapel of “Sonnenau,” the youth the who among otherthingsKiess glass designed stained the ple, Roswina Sister andHermes Hildegard Hug. It was Maria Fatherby Kentenich during his time in Dachau –forexam written also pictorially Various illustrated texts USA. artists In 2007, in “Heavenwards, CD the the was created Always” into songs. were composed or also later on, of some texts the published called Heavenwards. book in At alittle that time, in Already 1945,ment’s daily of prayers. treasury were they Move ofsome which Schoenstatt still the belong to today agreat many example he also created forpackages, prayers, thank which to he with wanted tions poems for and little showing a“colony of heaven.” In addition religious to instruc by contrast camp, “Home the centration Song” astark forms C of Dachau. he was describing conditions the camp in concentration the and Menningen, Father of Mary Alex Sisters the namely, that death.” realize to It what is tell easy he actually to wanted he was living and offools, and heathens, working in acity will P. only able be understand to whenthat he remembers 19, 1942: his with on “Howcome Paul? studies hasHe far […] of Mary, Father Sisters the on Kentenich April to wrote letters In one of harvest.” the his first “fruits Paul” or also so-called Paul, Nations, the St. and to “studies on wrote St. Apostle adisguise he called himselfAs name the by of great the ous were Hardlyfound. it actually was. any letters “worked,” aware but Kentenich of was constantly how danger and above all, of communication Heinz This Dresbach. system Joseph Fischer, Bettendorf, Ludwig his priests: three ideas to he himselfreason and writing dictated instead had stopped risk as limited this asFor possible in given the circumstances. of Mary. Kentenich keptSisters looking keep foraway to the by the histo where home it was collected in Herbertshausen, 28, 1943, as agreed of October chael Siegert, mail take the to dangerous, this was very along. acivilian As employee, Mi greenhouseinto the “buythe flowers” to took illegaland mail mailthe out of via camp middlemen. came the of Mary Sisters worked as aclerk in greenhouse the was smuggle prepared to prerequisitehad an APolish forthis. been important who priest plantation the work to detail Fischer’s transfer on March 25 risk and take camp the the of to illegal Father mail contact. nowgroups from building ongy forthe within of Schoenstatt decision had matured in all him dedicate his to time and ener things might In include God. March from 1943, amessage the thinking Heto was used about such whether resistance. with spiritualthat the met block unification thewhole of priests’ more and Kentenich became more had urgent. experience to Movement hison with work of Schoenstatt in the interest the beginningAt the of 1943, question of the how he could go Kentenich the strength never to lose his lose neverin to faith God Kentenich strength the which innergave forthe Fatherharacteristic attitude Rhyme asRhyme aDisguise ------Vallendar-Schoenstatt Photo at his arrival in camp from the concentration Photo at his release concentration camp Imprisoned in the prison Koblenz Imprisonment in the students together with his Joseph Kentenich age of 25 Joseph Kentenich at the From to right: left

www.paterkentenich.de A Tree that Shoots Forth New Branches in Winter he encounter in the admission block with Ernst Wilm, Tlater president of the Protestant Church in the Rhine- Pastor Father land, strengthened Father Kentenich regarding the impor- Ludwig Bettendorff Josef Fischer tance of Schoenstatt’s work with families. Already before getting to know him, he had had the feeling that two fur- ther institutes were still missing in his Work: the Family Work and the Brothers of Mary. Now he saw a chance for founding them. Dr. Fritz Kühr was interested in Schoenstatt, as was his friend, the Austrian lawyer Dr. Eduard Pesendorfer. After intensive preparation, and in the presence of Fr. Eise during their work time on July 16, 1942, Father Kentenich was able to secretly found the Family Work in Block 14 Room 3 with Dr. Father Dr Kühr, and the Brothers of Mary with Dr. Pesendorfer. Albert Eise Friedrich Kühr Kentenich did not only make every effort for the direction of his Work using illegal mail contact but was also attentive to the establishment of groups of priests within the camp who adopted the spirituality of Schoenstatt. It was especially Fathers Fischer and Dresbach who supported him in this. Ken- tenich gave schooling talks for the individual groups, often on rainy evenings on the camp street. All in all, about 150 priests took part, including , who was se- cretly ordained a priest by the French prisoner Bishop Gabriel Deacon Piguet in the camp chapel on December 17, 1944. Together Karl Leisner Camp chapel with a number of Schoenstatt priests he maintained a com- munal life as far as possible. They celebrated together (e.g. Christmas), ate together, and prayed together. As a Schoen- statt group, they experienced a family-like community again and again, through which they could sense the nearness of heaven right in the hell of Dachau. Remembrance Prelate 1967 Heinz Dresbach and Encounter 1967: Father very year, we as International Schoenstatt Family remem- Kentenich visits Eber the time of our founder’s imprisonment. Those years the former proved to be of great significance in the history of Schoenstatt. concentration Externally visible signs at various places help us to remember: camp In the “Father Kentenich House” on Mount Schoenstatt in Vallendar, part of the display deals with the time of Nation- al Socialism. This is also the case in the Schoenstatt Center on the Liebfrauenhöhe in Rottenburg-Neckar, in the province house in Metternich, and in Father Kentenich’s birthplace in Gymnich. There is a memorial plaque for Father Kentenich’s time in pris- on on Carmelite Street (Karmeliterstraße) in Koblenz as well as in the exhibition “Victims of National Socialism …” in the Kurt Esser House. Place | Date The altar of Dachau is located in the priests’ house on Mount Moriah in Simmern-Ww.

Signatures Schoenstatt groups and individuals from Germany and abroad set out to follow the traces of Father Kentenich in Dachau again and again. People all over the world trust in his intercession and let him be their guide for a life of faith.

Translation Author of the text Sr. M. Emily Kenkel, USA Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary 85092 Kösching Engelbert Monnerjahn: P. Joseph Photos Tel.: +49 8404 9220 Kentenich, Ein Leben für die Kirche, Cover painting by Walter Habdank [email protected] Patris Verlag, Vallendar-Schoenstatt for Father Kentenich’s 100th birthday 1975 in 1985; Collage: Hug, Vallendar For more information visit www.paterkentenich.de Karl-Heinz Mengedodt, Gertrud Archive of the Schoenstatt www.schoenstatt.de Pollak, Joachim Schmiedl: In seinem Sisters of Mary, Kösching Herzen ein Feuer, Joseph Kentenich, References Archive of the Schoenstatt Bildbiographie, Patris Verlag, Engelbert Monnerjahn: Häftling Fathers International Vallendar 1999 Nr. 29 392, Der Gründer des Archive schoenstattTV Schönstattwerkes als Gefangener der Joachim Schmiedl: Ein Gang durch Gestapo 1941 – 1945, Patris Verlag, Dachau, Patris Verlag, Vallendar- Overall design Vallendar-Schoenstatt 1973 Schoenstatt 1984 HC Hug, Vallendar