letting go of post-war guilt
Fr. Kilian was a great man and priest. I knew him personally and had great respect for him. I truly appreciate your efforts to continue his legacy.
Some 25 or 30 years ago I was out to dinner one night with my family at a local restaurant in Celina, OH. (I grew up 5 miles from St. Charles, Carthagena). We ran into Fr. Kilian at the restaurant who recognized me as a seminarian at the time. We visited together for awhile at the restaurant and then he accompanied us to my parents’ home. He talked with my Dad for several hours that night about his experiences of hand-to-hand combat in Korea. My father had carried a great deal of guilt for years because he wondered whether any of the men he killed had wives and children at home. Fr. Kilian ministered to him in a way no one else could because of his experience. I think my Dad was finally able to let go of some of the guilt that night because of the ministry of Fr. Kilian. I will always be grateful to him for that. His example showed me then and continues to be an example of what priesthood is all about.
Sincerely,
Author : Fr. Larry Hemelgarn, C.PP.S.