Memorial Killed Fathers Bardel

In the German hamlet of Bardel, just across the border at the 'Oelemars', the St. Anthony Monastery of the Franciscan Fathers has been standing since 1922.

The monastery was founded to enthuse young men to go to Brazil as missionaries. From 1935 onwards, the fathers had an increasingly difficult time under the Nazi regime and in 1938 they were expelled from the monastery. The Nazis established their own training institute there. In the monastery cemetery, a memorial stone commemorates the fathers who died as a result of war violence. From 1944, more than 1000 Dutch men were housed in the monastery, who had been captured during raids and were put to work as forced labourers. They had to dig tank traps at the nearby Gildehaus. Conditions were harsh and angry in the cold winter of 1944/1945 . The fathers were able to return in 1946.

Since 1922, about 300 young men have left De Bardel as missionaries for Brazil. The monastery complex today houses an internationally oriented mission gymnasium with more than 700 students. There are still a few priests working at the school, which nowadays also has 'Evangelical' students.

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Source

• Text: Bjorn Van Marle
• Photos: Bjorn van Marle