The Marian Martyrs of Rosica

138 The Marian Martyrs of Rosica THE MARTYRS’ HEROIC MINISTRY FatherAnthony stood in front of the altar and spoke. As usual he spoke like a man. Calm down. Don’t cry. God requires sac- rifice from us, the sacrifice of our lives. We need to lay down our lives at His feet. It is one brief moment and eternal happi- ness awaits us. Let us prepare for death together. We are with you. We are here to die. To live a few years longer — is that so important? The most important thing is to end one’s life well, and I assure you in front of God who is here with you in the church, I assure you on His behalf that, if you accept His will, you will attain heaven. Now come to the confessionals. We will listen to your confessions, and we will give you Holy Communion. It is easier to die with God. Slowly, the people in the church calmed down. Lines for confession formed. The Fathers sat in the confessionals and listened. They were also dis- tributing Holy Communion. At one moment, a group of Orthodox believers approached him. “Father, we want to be Catholics. Please accept us.” The priest had tears in his eyes. These were tears of joy. Only God knows how many people accepted Catholicism dur- ing those many hours. “All right, dear ones,” he said. “Come to the altar. You will say the Profession of Faith. I will hear your confessions and you will receive Holy Communion. Let God be blessed.” “Father, please baptize my child.” “And mine.” “And mine.” “And mine as well.” “Father, will you baptize mine. I am Orthodox.” “Yes, Mother.” And Father baptized them. Then, he started listening to con- fessions and distributing Holy Communion again. It went on for a whole day and a whole night as the SS men continued to bring more and more groups of people into the church. People gathered around the priests. There was sobbing and crying again. The villages kept on burning, and the church windows were red from the fires’ glow. The newcomers were numbed by