When World War II broke out across Europe, SSNDs responded with courage and faith to protect the people in their care. We know of 32 Sisters who went missing or died as a result. They are now our Patronesses of Shalom.
While many in the Congregation know of Blessed Antonina, few know of the other SSND WWII martyrs who also serve as our Shalom Patronesses.
What their deaths remind us of and symbolize for us is not only the atrocity of war, but also the violence and abuse of women as a weapon of war.
Material about our Shalom Patronesses will be prepared and distributed next year, and we will continue to celebrate their faith and our own commitment to making the world a more just and truly human place.
Here are the Sisters, now Shalom Patronesses, whose lives were taken during the war.
1942
Blessed Antonina Kratochwil (age 61) Stanisławów, Poland [now Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine]
Blessed Antonina was the first SSND to die as a consequence of World War II. In July of 1942, Blessed Antonina and six other sisters (including Sr. Sabina and Sr. Hieronima) were arrested by the Gestapo and taken to prison. Despite enduring many interrogations and beatings while imprisoned, Blessed Antonina became the spiritual support for the sisters in prison. She organized a plan for the day and gave out intentions, which were whispered while seated on the floor. Unconcerned about the consequences of her courage, she would not hesitate to speak up on behalf of others. She died on October 2, 1942, as a consequence of abuse and mistreatment while imprisoned.
Sister Hieronima Lapa (age 49) Lwów, Poland [now Lviv, Ukraine]
Died on October 10, 1942, as a consequence of the illness contracted while imprisoned.
Sister Sabina Dziurdzia (age 44) Lwów, Poland [now Lviv, Ukraine]
Died on December 28, 1942, as a consequence ofan illness contracted while imprisoned.
1944
Sister Etelka Simon (age 46) Kishunmajsa, Hungary
Died on October 22, 1944, the result of gunshot wounds received from a Russian soldier.
Sister Jakoba Karobath (age 50) Vienna, Austria
Died on November 3, 1944, as a result of a bombing.
Sister Pia Kaindlstorfer (age 40) Vienna, Austria
Died on November 3, 1944, as a result of a bombing. Sr. Pia was a needlework teacher for many years. She also sought to instill a deep devotion to the Blessed Mother in the lives of the boarders at the institute. The seed flourished, as was shown by the loyalty of her students even after they left the institute. Many of her former students recognized her as a saving angel. In 1943, Sr. Pia transferred to Vienna, where she worked as a nurse in a military hospital.
Sister Riza Kornett (age unknown) (Debrecen, Hungary)
Died on December 16, 1944, as a consequence of illness and conditions endured while fleeing the Russian army.
Sister Edith Debreczeni (age unknown) (Debrecen, Hungary)
Died on December 17, 1944 as a consequence of illness and conditions endured while fleeing the Russian army.
1945
Sister Amia Zilk (age unknown) (Lechhausen, Germany)
Died on January 15, 1945, in a bombing raid.
Sister Jovita Breibeck (age unknown) (Lechhausen, Germany)
Died on January 15, 1945, in a bombing raid.
Sister Kunialda Walleschauser (age unknown) (Lechhausen, Germany)
Died on January 15, 1945, in a bombing raid.
Sister Helga Zinkl (age unknown) (Lechhausen, Germany)
Died on January 15, 1945, in a bombing raid. Sr. Helga chose the profession of kindergarten teacher, but she also did well caring for children after school hours. “Although the boys made great demands on the good sister when it came to character formation, work and play, Sr. Helga was equal to the task. In their letters, countless soldiers from the last war (World War I) expressed their faithful adherence to what Sr. Helga had encouraged them to do—to persevere and fulfill their duties, including their religious duties.”
Sister Ida Czok (age 36) (Silesia)
In January 1945 was captured and abused by Russian soldiers, then taken away, never to be heard from again.
Sister Frieda Steinhoff (age 32) (Silesia)
In January 1945 was captured and abused by Russian soldiers, and then taken away, never to be heard from again.
Sister Moderata Puff (age 45) (Breslau, Silesia - now Wrocław, Poland)
In January 1945 was captured by Russian soldiers and taken to a prison camp. She died on February 23, 1946 as a consequence of health issues resulting from her imprisonment.
Sister Germana Schmidt (age 81) (Neisse, Silesia – now Nysa, Poland)
Died on February 6, 1945 from exhaustion after fleeing the advancement of Russian troops.
Sister Godwina Kubon (age 32) Dresden, Germany
Died on February 14, 1945, as the result of a bombing.
Sister Romana Kainz (age 43) Dresden, Germany
Died on February 14, 1945, as the result of a bombing. Sr. Romana was born in Regensburg, Germany, Sr. Godwina was born in Windhoek (now Namibia, Africa). Together they responded to the urgent request of a bishop asking for help with his “wandering church,” and to take responsibility for the protection of girls. Their ministerial work was very beneficial. They were very well-liked by the girls, the poor, the sick, the refugees and anyone in need. After their deaths, Church authorities and the St. Boniface Association sent letters of tribute highlighting “the exemplary conduct and energetic zeal” of the two sisters.
Sister Aloysia Judex (age unknown) (Fonyód, Hungary)
Died on February 25, 1945 from exhaustion and illness while fleeing the advancement of Russian troops.
Sister Benedikta Pyrczek (age 42) Strumien (Schwarzwasser), Poland
Died on March 7, 1945 as the result of a bombing.
Sister Hermengild Lehnert (age 68) Bauerwitz, Silesia (now Baboró, Poland)
Died before Palm Sunday 1945, abused and killed by Russian soldiers.
Sister Balda Gonschior (age 34) Neisse, Silesia [now Nysa, Poland]
Died on March 24, 1945, shot by a Russian soldier.
Sister Friedwinda Marzotko (age 49) Neisse, Silesia [now Nysa, Poland]
Died on January 20, 1950 due in part to abuse and mistreatment she endured by Russian soldiers in March of 1945.
Sister Bonosa Peter (age 60) Neisse, Silesia [now Nysa, Poland]
Died on March 25, 1945, shot by Russian soldiers while protecting other sisters. Sr. Bonosa was a needlework teacher for many years. In August 1940, she was sent to serve as superior of the convent in Neisse, which had been converted into a military hospital. In March 1945, the city of Neisse, Silesia (now Nysa, Poland) was encircled by the Russian soldiers. On March 25, the soldiers tried to enter the place where the sisters had sought shelter. Sr. Bonosa stood in front of her sisters to protect them. “With outstretched arms, she placed herself in front of them, as the soldiers tried to force their way in. With the half-finished exclamation, ‘My Jesus, mercy’ Sr. Bonosa was shot. She died in the arms of her sisters”.
Sister Crispiniana Hajzer (age 51) Schwarzwasser (now Strumien, Poland)
Died on April 3, 1945 from exhaustion, a consequence of the fighting between Russian and German forces in her community.
Sister Theodolinde Ondrusch (age 68) Carlsruhe, Silesia (now Pokoj, Poland)
Died on April 7, 1945, as a result of mistreatment by Russian soldiers.
Sister Andrea Sośnica (age 79) Schwarzwasser (now Strumien, Poland)
Died on April 13, 1945 from exhaustion, a consequence of the fighting between Russian and German forces in her community.
Sister Jakobella Merl (age 47) Schwandorf, Germany
Died on April 17, 1945, as the result of a bombing by Canadian and British troops.
Sister Rosaria Sebastian (age 60) Berlin, Germany
Died on May 4, 1945, as the result of getting caught in heavy shelling as she walked home from Mass.
Sister Donata Ratuschny (age 35) Freising, Germany
Died on April 29, 1945, when a grenade crashed through the kitchen window. Sister Donata radiated sunshine wherever she went and was universally liked. She had a special talent for handicrafts and knew how to make something out of nothing to bring joy to others. Shortly before she entered the kitchen, she played on her harmonica the song, “Nearer, My God, to Thee.”
Sister Gottharda Krautwurst (age 68) Breslau, Silesia (now Wrocław, Poland)
Died on October 7, 1945 from exhaustion after fleeing the presence and mistreatment of Russian soldiers. When soldiers came into the village, Venerable Sister Gottharda stood in front of her sisters, protecting them. One soldier pulled down her glasses and stomped on them. Another soldier raised his hand, ready to strike her. But she did not budge. Eventually, someone stepped in and escorted the sisters to a place where they could seek refuge.
Sister Kordia Newmann (age unknown) Biala Prudnicka, Poland
Died on October 26, 1945 from exhaustion after fleeing the advancement of Russian troops.
