Starting the journey of faith with an unusual pilgrimage destination – a rental house at Karlsplatz, an inconspicuous workplace of Blessed Restituta Kafka.
This is a path of hope—a pilgrimage of hope through Vienna, leading to St. Stephen’s Cathedral. We warmly invite you to embark on this journey!
In the Holy Year, under the motto "Pilgrims of Hope", our Pope invites us to set out on a journey to the Jubilee Churches.
Blessed Restituta Kafka
The young Helene Kafka had several small jobs, one could say. Before becoming a nurse, the future Blessed Sister Restituta was the "caretaker" of the house at Karlsplatz 1.
Located right next to one of the subway entrances, it is a completely unknown and not at all pious pilgrimage site. A good starting point for a journey of faith towards the cathedral.
Blessed Restituta (Helene) Kafka
*May 1, 1894, Brno-Hussowitz (Czech Republic)
+ March 30, 1943, Vienna
hoffnungszeugin Witness of Hope and Blessed
Maria Restituta Kafka was an Austrian nun and martyr of National Socialism. Born in Brno-Hussowitz, she grew up in Vienna and joined the Franciscan Sisters in 1914.
As a surgical nurse at Mödling Hospital, she showed courage and defiance against the Nazi regime by hanging crucifixes and distributing anti-regime writings.
Arrested in 1942, she was sentenced to death and executed at the Vienna Regional Court in 1943. Pope John Paul II beatified her in 1998. Her feast day is October 29.
In a letter to her sister:
Look, Anny, how heavy my cross seems—but it is not so: God overwhelms me with comfort, strength, and courage.
Goulash & Fellowship
One of the most famous anecdotes about Blessed Restituta: after long surgeries, she would treat herself to a goulash and a beer at the tavern across the street.
Sociable and warm-hearted, she enjoyed conversation with colleagues and guests. Those who follow her example can offer comfort and hope over a meal and open conversations (for example, at Inigo near the Jesuit Church or Mama’s Café at Stephansplatz) – and find new strength in the silence of the church in the presence of the Lord.
Short Prayer
Merciful God,
we thank You for Blessed Restituta, who served in love and steadfastly defended the faith.
Grant us the courage to witness faithfully and fearlessly:
In the Cross is salvation, life, and hope.
Through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Amen.
Well-informed, the pilgrimage of faith continues.
glaubensweg zum Dom | pilgrimage of faith to St Stephen‘s Cathedral
via >> HOME Operngasse <<
Which pilgrimages of faith lead to St. Stephen’s Cathedral?
