The Marian Martyrs of Rosica

117 Memoir The Nordic race introduced the new Germanic culture. Wotan was in a fury, and when the autumn came and the ghet- to was empty, the masters decided to fill it with us, the fugi- tives. We had to interrupt our studies , which had begun in the fall, and run for our lives. We fled to Druja. I thought that oth- ers would show up too. Father Smolinski began to share his memories — our life was hard too. After Fr. Kulesza died, they came for us. Like hyenas, they enjoyed the taste of human blood. I saw them from the window of the house in which I took refuge as they went by looking for me and Fr. Bakalarz. We had to change into civilian clothes, put cigarettes between our teeth, and continue walking toward the Dvina. Luckily they had to run away too. They had no time to seek their vengeance. We heard the following news from a fellow priest: “Thank God, Rev. Pastor, because this bloody beast was terrifying in its flight. One of my colleagues from Vilnius, a young priest, was found murdered with outspread arms. He was tied to a tree with barbed wire.” If the priestly Golgotha could be commemorated by crosses on the Vilnius Calvary as in olden times, a lot of crosses would have to be added. Under the new government, life is also hard. I felt much fear when the order arrived to hand over the bells to be made into cannons for the Germans. What could we do? The bells had to be taken down. And how pretty they were, especially the largest one. Its sound resounded far over the Dvina, announcing the glory of God. But do you think the Germans got them? Yes, the three old broken ones; all the good ones never arrived at their destina- tion. The largest one lies buried in the ruins of the belfry. We didn't even bother to take it out. The others are buried far away from here. The Germans didn't have any idea, although they were surprised by their puny size. But the numbers matched their list. Fortunately, our people governed and policed the community. As I would soon find out, they would warn us and help in everything.