On November 9, 2023, the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity and the Restituta Forum commemorated Blessed Restituta in the Room of Silence at Vienna’s Main Station. The Holy Mass was celebrated by Mag. Martin Leitner, Director at Leopoldinum Heiligenkreuz and board member of the Restituta Forum. Afterwards, there was an opportunity to view the traveling exhibition “Blessed Restituta – Courageous Resistance”. This exhibition will be on display in the Room of Silence until November 30, 2023.

Courageous “YES” to Humanity, Tolerance, and Charity

In his sermon, Director Martin Leitner highlighted Sister Restituta’s life testimony, how she could rise to the light in suffering. “To the light of a deep and unshakeable faith, to the light of a love for one’s neighbor that earned her the appreciation and admiration of her fellow prisoners even in prison”, Martin Leitner continued.

Commenting on today’s trends in our society, Director Martin Leitner found clear words: “Let us learn from Sister Restituta. From the purity of her gaze and her actions, from her courage to stand up against injustice, contempt for humanity, and racial delusion. It is more important than ever today when we look at the new and subtle forms of anti-Semitism, xenophobia, and racial hatred. May Restituta be our advocate for a courageous” YES “to humanity, tolerance, and charity, for a courageous” NO “against all forms of false nationalism, anti-Semitism, and all forms of racism.”

Room of Silence – Space for Ecumenism, Respect, and Tolerance

With the “Room of Silence” at Vienna’s Main Station, the Categorical Pastoral Care of the Archdiocese of Vienna has been following Pope Francis’ call since 2014 to find new places in the city to meet people. These encounters can take place in the “Room of Silence” from 8 am to 7 pm. The room is open for devotions, Holy Masses, conversations, prayer and silence, as well as for events.

Moreover, the room also has great significance in terms of ecumenism and interreligious dialogue: During the Catholic Mass for Blessed Restituta, the Jewish people who suffered greatly in our country on the night of November 9-10, 1938, were also remembered, and a clear sign was set against the anti-Semitism of our time. As another visible sign of the peaceful coexistence of religions, a Muslim entered the Room of Silence during the Holy Mass to pray in an adjacent room.