Useless eaters, the Nazis said, those who were under the Sisters' care had been called that horrible name, according to Father Wagner's newspaper. Mother Maria Margareta wept again, as she had at the rectory. What could she do to help the pupils of St. Maria's School for the Mentally Handicapped? Elsa couldn't take them all in. What was she to do? A psalm popped into her mind, Psalm 27.
"The Lord is my light and my salvation. Whom shall I fear?" She dropped to her knees, making the sign of the cross. "In nómine Patris et Fílii et Spíritus Sancti. Amen. Lord, help me .I am afraid, protect the children give me courage. Ave Maria… Mary, pray that I may say yes to the Lord like you did. Now I knew how you must have felt when you fled to Egypt. Hitler is as evil if not more so than King Herod was. St. Joan of Arc, pray that I have the courage to face those in power who I disagree with just as you did. Pray that I may have faith, and if they kill me, pray that I may be happy to see Jesus."
"Reverend Mother, the children are ready for their concert."
"Oh, Sister Gertrude, I almost forgot, so much has been on my mind."
"It's all right. They are so excited to sing!"
"Good, you are a wonderful music teacher."
"Have you heard from Elsa? I miss Gizi."
"She is fine. Come; let's go hear the children sing."
At Elsa's home, her priest had just given Gizi the Eucharist.
"I just had Jesus and his blood!"
"Yes, you did Gizi." Fr. found her enthusiasm for the Sacrament, her understanding and honesty delightful.
"Can you do a Mass, just for me?"
"I don't think I can get everything set in the cellar." Besides I'm very busy at the cathedral!"
"I miss Mass!" Gizi pouted.
"Well, we must be very quiet and I have to think of an excuse to tell the housekeeper. I'll say Mass", said Fr. Gruber.
Gizi hugged the surprised priest, who then blessed her. Gizi was not "useless", she had more faith than most in Religious Life (priests, Brothers and Sisters) than he knew.
Lisa, her mother and Elsa were all in the cellar and were moved.
"Hello everyone", whispered Marlene, a family friend also determined to join the resistance.
"Father, this is Marlene. She also has decided to hide anyone who needs to escape the Nazis", explained Elsa.
"How wonderful! God bless you!"
"You are a very kind man, Father"
"Thank you Marlene. It's getting late. I should return to the rectory soon."
"Can we sing Hail Holy Queen?"asked Gizi.
"I suppose we could", replied the tired priest.
"They are singing it at St. Maria's today." Gizi began to sing Hail Holy Queen and soon everyone sang with. Nobody had known what joy Gizi would bring to the house. Lisa began to wonder if she'd be attending Mass more frequently from now on. Her cousin's faith was inspiring