The Befriended Enemy
by Father Gregor Lenzen, C.P.
Introduction by Fr. Rob Carbonneau, C.P., Editor
Father Viktor was born in Sharon, Pennsylvania, and ordained a Passionist priest in 1896 for American St. Paul of the Cross Province. In 1922 Father Viktor and Father Valentine Lehnerd, C.P. established the Passionists in Pasing, Germany, outside of Munich. In 1925 Maria Schutz, located in the scenic Austrian Alps became the second foundation.
By 1941 World War II forced a good many German Passionist priests and seminarians to enter the military. During the 1930s Father Viktor became an Austrian citizen. Consequently when the "Anschluss" resulted in Germany and Austria 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 fellow Passionist Father Paul Boeminghaus, who was arrested for a short time. During the early 1940s the Nazis used the monastery for a school and study center for atomic research. Still, through this period local Catholics known as the "Blacks" defied Nazi prohibitions and continued to bring the priests food. All the while both priests continued as best they could to minister under the local Nazi occupation. The monastery in Schwarzenfeld survived the war intact. However, the monastery and church in both Pasing and Maria Schutz, suffered damage.
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