Christ in Dachau
“Christ in Dachau” by John Lenz, published by Sophia Institute Press on June 20, 2023, is a poignant account of the experiences of Catholic priests in the Dachau concentration camp during World War II. This edition spans 328 pages and is presented in English. Fr. Lenz, a survivor of the camp, shares his observations and experiences, emphasizing the resilience of faith amid extreme suffering and the importance of revealing the grace of God to those bearing their own crosses.
Readers will find a collection of real-life stories that highlight the courage of priests who continued to preach the gospel and uphold the dignity of life during one of history’s darkest periods. The book details the arrest and imprisonment of clergy, the horrific conditions at Dachau, and the spiritual lessons learned in the face of despair. Through gripping narratives and eighty accompanying photos, Lenz illustrates how these men of faith ministered to fellow prisoners and maintained their commitment to prayer and service, offering insights into the intersection of religion and the brutal realities of war.
Official synopsis Publisher
“What we priests were forced to endure under the Nazi regime, especially in Dachau concentration camp, is no more than a cup filled from the vast sea of human suffering in the world today,” wrote Fr. John Lenz. “It is not this suffering as such that is important. The important thing is to show those who have crosses of their own to bear in life just what the grace of God can do for those who follow faithfully in the footsteps of Christ the Crucified. It is no less important to reveal the wickedness of Hell.”
The Nazi hellhole Dachau concentration camp held the largest number of Catholic priests — more than 2,400 — in the Nazi camp system. They came from two dozen countries, from every background — parish priests and prelates, monks and friars, teachers and missionaries. More than one-third were killed.
Among the survivors was Fr. Lenz, who was asked by his superiors to write an account of what he saw — and experienced — so that it would not be forgotten. This book, filled with gripping real-life stories and eighty photos, was the stunning result and became an immediate sensation.
This work is unique among those written on the Holocaust; it reveals how, by tireless sacrifice amid barbaric suffering, the Church was victorious in one of the darkest times in human history. When the Nazis entered several European countries, many people were afraid to speak up. Numerous priests, however, continued to preach the gospel and the truth about the dignity of life and freedom. Through their courageous witness you will learn about:
- The arrest and imprisonment of priests and other faithful citizens
- What really happened at Dachau and the horrific treatment of prisoners
- How priests ministered to fellow prisoners and prayed unceasingly in the camps
- Ways in which priests secretly brought the Blessed Sacrament to the people and heard confessions
- Spiritual lessons learned in the face of death and despair
“Only when we are forced to endure the most profound suffering and hardship do we learn how to catch hold of God’s hand in our misery,” Fr. Lenz reflected. “We learn to pray.”
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