I Am Only Accountable to God for My Actions

In Mainzer Landtag, on January 18^th, an exhibition in memory of the victims of national-socialism took place in Koblenz and the surrounding areas. Within the exposition there were also displays on Father Joseph Kentenich and other members of the Schoenstatt Movement

Cartel: P. José Kentenich Display: Fr. Joseph Kentenich Tafel: P. Josef Kentenich
Conferencia: Joachim Hennig Conference: Joachim Hennig Vortrag: Jochaim Hennig
26 personas son presentadas 26 persons are presented 26 Personen werden dargestellt Fotos: Sr. Maritta © 2007

GERMANY, mkf. On the setting of the January 27^th celebration (the day in which the victims of national-socialism were commemorated) there was an exhibition in Mainzer Landtag (Seat of the Rheinland-Pfalz, German Parliament) with the title "We can only go forward because behind us there is only death." Simon Wisenthal’s phrase served as motivation for the exhibition of the Association "Mahnmal Koblenz." Said exhibition was inaugurated by the parliamentary president, Joachim Mertes, on January 18^th at 12:30 P.M. in the foyer of the entrance to the building. With the exception of the weekends, until February 2^nd, the exhibition was open to the public every day from 8: 00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. In this exhibition, all the persons from Koblenz and the surrounding areas who were victims of national-socialism were remembered. Among them was Father Joseph Kentenich, founder of the Schoenstatt Movement, and María Hilfrich.

All those persons who survived the criminal regime of national-socialism were commemorated…..those who had to endure persecutions and exile…..and at the same time the reconstruction of Rheinland-Pfalz which took place 60 years ago was also remembered. In the display, there appeared 26 personalities who in addition to being victims of national-socialism, collaborated 60 years ago in a new resurgence and/or erected with their own hands and in an exemplary way their own destiny. The exhibition was also meant to awaken in the youth a fight for values such as democracy and human rights and to combat against the radicalism of the neo-nazism. This exhibition was one of about 30 initiatives which took place in Rheinland-Pfalz on the day commemorating the victims of national-socialism.

"We can defend ourselves, even when we have not been born as heroes, according to the measure in which we begin to think freely." With these words, the president of the Landtag Parliament, Joachim Mertes, opened the exhibition. Among the special invited guests present were high political dignitaries of the region, descendants and acquaintances of those commemorated. Along with them, several Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary also participated.

Commemoration of the survivors of national-socialism

"The sum total of four, five or even up to six million victims of national-socialism is so unheard of that it is almost impossible to digest," emphasized Mertes in his opening speech. "If we are able to transmit here that it is about common everyday people who in spite of the consequences, took part in the opposition or resistance, then the name of the exhibition has meaning: "People, destinies and memories." We discovered persons who in their youth were ready to risk themselves," affirmed Mertes, "even when this meant putting their lives in danger and as well the lives of their families and friends."

"Even two years after the 60^th jubilee of the liberation of Auschwitz Concentration Camp,

we have a strong obligation and commitment for the realization of the commemorative act in memory of the victims of national-socialism," said the vice-president of the Mahnmal Association for the victims of national-socialism, Joachim Hennig.

For that reason, the association decided, on the tenth anniversary of its foundation, to honor the memory of the survivors of national-socialism. "They were the ones who immediately after the liberation of the concentration camp preserved the memory of their fallen comrades," recalled Hennig. "The victims of national-socialism on display are not only ‘deceased faces,’ but persons of flesh and bone who were and should continue also being an example for the youth of today," he highlighted.

Pictured among the others was also María Hilfrich who formed part of the first circle of Women of the Federation in Schoenstatt in 1925. She was charged by the nazi regime of participating in the Schoenstatt Movement and of praying with her students. Her creed was the following: "I am Catholic, I am a member of Schoenstatt, and for what I did I am only accountable to God." After suffering in the concentration camp, she returned in 1945 to her education profession and served as a school principal for several years.

"Father Joseph Kentenich risked his work with the Schoenstatt Movement and it became an international faith community," highlighted Joachim Hennig in his speech on the Work of Father Kentenich.

Translation: Carlos Cantú Family Federation La Feria, Texas USA 022607