The Marian Martyrs of Rosica

143 Memoir “I am staying. I must stay. It is my duty. Everything is in God’s hands.” “So I will share my fate with you,” she replied. They went out of the house. The ring of smoke began to close around Zaszczyryn. It came nearer and nearer. They were guessing which villages were burning. Suddenly an SS troop ran into the churchyard. “Where is the priest?” asked the officer. “Here I am” Father Laszewski came forward. “Father, you must run away to Latvia immediately. There is not a moment to lose. In an hour, it may be too late. We are Latvians. I am a Catholic. I have come to save you.” “Thank you very much, but I cannot abandon the church. The Blessed Sacrament is here. I cannot leave the people in their misfortune.” “You will not help them, Father. You cannot save them, and you will perish yourself.” “I am a Catholic priest. I will not abandon my post. You may arrest me. I am staying with my people.” The officer was nervous and agitated. When Father spoke the last sentence, he seemed to have an idea. He went to his group. After a brief huddle, a decision had been made. The lieu- tenant approached Father again and declared harshly: “Father, you are under arrest. You must be ready for travel in five min- utes. Please consume the Blessed Sacrament.” The Father and the Sister went to the church. They paused for a moment of adoration. The Father opened the tabernacle, and they ate the Holy Hosts. Jesus was there no more. The church was empty. What to do with the vessels? The officer was there, too. He brought a scarf, a breviary, and a fur hat to the Father. “We are leaving,” he said. “Lieutenant, what about the church vessels. The chalice and the ciborium.” “We shall take them with us, and we will bring them back at the nearest opportunity.”