Bishop Theas’ Rosary

On June 9, 1944, Bishop Theas was arrested and incarcerated into Saint Michael Prison with other personalities. A few days later, they were all transferred to Compiegne, an anteroom to the death camps. The bishop exerted such an influence that the Germans were afraid of him. On July 15th, a first convoy was sent to Germany, but Bishop Theas was the only one not belonging to the lot… On August 15th, a new convoy was ready to go, although the prisoners were not yet aboard the train. This time the bishop was included, as well as about two dozen oblates of Mary Immaculate, on whom the bishop also exerted a strong influence. The following is a fragment of what he told these young brothers on the morning of August 15th “The Blessed Virgin would like to give us “the grace” (in French he did a play on words and said “la crasse” meaning the “filth”) and have us leave for Germany the day of her feast; we shall give her an earful (in French “l’engueuler”) as is appropriate.”… And they began reciting the Rosary. During this prayer, members of the French underground resistance (called the Maquis) set fire to the train, which was already in place to deport the prisoners. All the wagons burned except the two containing, in pitiful bundles, what was the most valuable that could be salvaged. One year later, after the war, the survivors of Bishop Theas’ group, having returned home, decided to meet each year for an annual reunion. One of these reunions took place in Lourdes with Bishop Theas, who told this beautiful history but omitted the parts about “la crasse” and “l’engueuler” out of respect for the ladies present… Can we call this a miracle? In any case, it was a manifest sign, a poignant sign of the Virgin answering prayers. The prayers of a man who, born just a few kilometers from Lourdes, had, during most of his episcopate, expressed so much devotion and love for Our Lady. A man who one day declared: “I always find Mary in my life.”