Fr Andrew Hrdina O F M Cap

[cappie]

Please pray for Fr Andrew Hrdina who is dying atm. Fr Andrew Hrdina was born in 1919 in Antlerka, Czechoslovakia. After completing his secondary education he entered the Capuchin Novitiate in Prague and made his first profession of vows in 1935.

 

He was sent to the Capuchin province of Paris for three years to study philosophy and then returned to Czechoslovakia for theology. Fr Andrew was ordained a priest for the Capuchin Order at Olomouc on 30 November, 1941 (the Feast of St Andrew). This was during the dark days of World War II, which were to change Europe and ultimately affect the destiny of Fr Andrew's priestly ministry. His last posting in his native land was to the Friary at Susice.

The story continues in Fr Andrew's own words:

"I remained here only for a few months. I remember, after Easter, I was visited by some friends from Prague who told me that all the monasteries were closed and all the religious men and women were put into concentration camps and no doubt the same would happen here.

"I spoke to the three friars with me and we decided to divide all the money, to place the valuables in the hands of people we could trust and to leave, everyone going his own way.

"Then I spent a few months in Prague, living in one house after another. I realised that my only sensible course would be to leave the country, which at the time was a very dangerous adventure.

"I was put in touch with someone I could trust and given a false passport. I was told that I would be travelling as a missionary returning from Africa to France and that at the border I must be confident, relaxed, showing no signs of nervousness or fear, and speaking only in French. Before the journey I never prayed so hard in my life to Mary and Jesus and as a result I was confident that everything would be OK.

"I boarded the train in Prague. At the border I was interviewed by many officers. When finally the train moved I thanked God in my heart. I arrived in France and remained with the friars a few months. Although they asked me to remain I expressed a desire to go to Australia, even though I did not speak the language or know anybody there. Why I had that desire I do not know."

Fr Andrew did in fact reach Australia and since arriving he has been a valued and loved member of the Australian Capuchin Province.