The next photo is the PROMPT. Remember, all photos are property of the photographer, donated for use in Friday Fictioneers only. They shouldn’t be used for any other purpose without express permission. It is proper etiquette to give the contributor credit.
PHOTO PROMPT © Dale Rogerson
Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100
VOCATION OF LOVE
Mama’s words echoed in Sister Benedicta’s memory. “Edith, how can your turn your back on your people this way? To be baptized is an outrage! You are a Jew.”
“Our Lord Jesus himself was a Jew.” Edith had calmly replied. “I am still a Jew.
The Nazis agreed and forced her to pin a yellow star to her habit.
It boggled her mind that anyone could be so cruel.
The gas chambers of Auschwitz loomed before her. Her sister Rosa wept at her side.
Putting an arm around her shoulder, Sister Benedicta whispered, “Come, we are going for our people.”
To know more about Edith Stein CLICK HERE.







Heartbreaking 💔
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Heartbreaking indeed. Thank you for reading and commenting, Sadje.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Always a pleasure my friend
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Endless cycles of cruelty among the peoples of the book. Indeed, just among people
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Dear Neil,
Too true. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I hope some day humans will learn to live in peace.
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Dear Joy,
What a wonderful world that would be. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Sad reality.
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Sad indeed, Anita. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Remembering those harmed by cruelty, is so important. Will human beings ever learn.
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Mike Humphris.
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Dear Mike,
It seems if we haven’t learned anything by now, we never will. 😦 Thank you for identifying yourself. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You brought up another interesting person. The depths of evil of that regime knew no bounds, but on the plus side, the human spirit knows no bounds… Powerful story.
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Dear Trent,
Sorry for my tardy reply. Busy week. And so true the depths of evil is a deep pit. As for the human spirit, also true. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Loved the Sister Bendicta piece. Nice job.
Nancy Hartney, Author nancy.hartney@gmail.com nancy.hartney@gmail.com http://NancyHartney.com http://nancyhartney.com
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Thank you so much for swinging by to read and comment, Nancy.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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What a woman of faith she was. So sad to see the injustice she endured but her unwavering faith sustained her. Well done. The link was interesting.
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Dear Jan,
I’m glad you found her interesting. She had faith and courage, for sure. Thanks, m’luv.
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Thanks for the link and the lesson, Rochelle. I hope her faith sustained her in those final days and all the impossible times that came before. The cruelty of humans again and again and again leaves me without words.
Jen
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Dear Jen,
It’s mind boggling how cruel people can be, isn’t it? And then there are people like Sister Benedicta who are driven by faith that passes all understanding. Thank you for reading and commenting.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I had to look up “discalced.” Barefoot. Interesting word.
But that’s just a minor detail in this amazing woman’s story. What strength of character she had! Another historical character that you’ve brought to life for us.
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Dear Linda,
I love where Google often takes me with a simple search like “famous nuns.” A Jewish one. Who nu? 😉 Glad you read on. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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🙂
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Human behavior goes from pole to pole doesn’t it.
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Dear Lisa,
Human behavior can make one shudder. Thank you for reading and commenting. Sorry for the tardy reply.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, you are very welcome, and no worries, my friend.
Shalom,
Lisa
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Such a moving story…sometimes it’s difficult to overcome the darkness in the world…it takes great effort to see Light. Blessings to you.
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Dear Lenna,
Thank you for coming by with a sweet comment. Blessings back to you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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So much evil in this world. It has to be a form of mental illness.
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Dear Dawn,
There is a lot of evil in the world. Wouldn’t it be nice if there was a cure that could be spread like a crop dusting from a plane. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Will there ever be peace and tolerance?
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Dear Rosemary,
That’s a question for the ages. Thank you. Sorry for the late reply.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
I love how you use 100 words to bring to life so many interesting people. Just wonderful.
Shalom and lotsa love amidst the hate,
Dale
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Dear Dale,
I loved where a Google search for famous nuns brought me to Sister Benedicta. Nu? Like I could pass up a Jewish one? 😉 Thank you. Sorry for the late reply.
Shalom and lotsa loving hugs,
Rochelle
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It’s amazing how many things we learn through The Google! Putting that info into a delightful story is not everyone’s forté, needless to say 🙂
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The photo of you at the table with your books is just SO Cute! Every time I visit here I look at it, and you make me smile. Thank you!
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Aaaw thanks, Lenna. What a sweet thing to say.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A touching tale indeed. I clicked the link and pleased I did; I learned so much more.
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Dear Keith,
Here we are starting another week and I’m scratching to catch up. Thank you for your kind comments. Glad you followed the link.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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another sad story to remind us of the evil that men can do to their fellowmen.
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Dear Plaridel,
There are waaaaay too many sad stories out there. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Querida Rochelle,
A powerful read and quite sad. The fear and panic
must have been horrific. I’m off to read more. Gracias 😊
ABrazos y Carinos,
Izzy 😎
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Querida Izzy,
Hay demasiada maldad en el mundo. 😦 Gracias para tus palabras amables, mi amiga.
Shalom y abrazos,
Rochelle
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Es verdad. Todo ha cambiando por los siglos.
Siempre un placer, Izzy
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We must never forget. A heartbreaking story, well written as always. One of the horrible things of our times is the holocaust denial.
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Dear Gabi,
I don’t understand Holocaust deniers, The proof has been recorded and rerecorded. Which we much never forget. Thank you for your persistence in commenting. I had a full spam folder. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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😀 Sorry about that, you never know where these comments go.
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Another story of Nazi cruelty to anyone they considered different. Lizy
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Dear Lizy,
There’s always another story and another. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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What a beautiful lesson to learn with one little tap of the finger. Endless thanks for your stories and accompanying links, Rochelle.
Peace 🕊️
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Dear Nancy,
I feel blessed to have so much knowledge at my fingertips. Thank you for your sweet comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Comes to show how a rush to categorize, marginalize, and radicalize, harms. And how the humanity we can each find, not in labels but in deeds and the life we live, matters more. At least to me it does. Good piece as always, my friend. Cruelty often hides under flags, slogans, marches, and gaslighting. Then and now.
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Na’ama Y’karah,
We shake our heads and wonder how a whole nation as enlightened as Germany could’ve been duped by such a madman. I look around today and shake my head and tremble more than a little. Thank you for your generous comment.
Shalom havurah shelee,
Rochelle
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Indeed, these are tremble-worthy times, for any who looks at history and sees the threads of extremism and ‘justification for marginalization’ and politicization of pain and dehumanization of the ‘other’ and requirement of fealty to this or that idea to the exclusion of any fact or human factor. Oy. May there be light. חברתך, Na’ama
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I started reading The Tattooist of Auschwitz a couple of weeks ago. I was enthralled by the fast pace and the MC, such a clever guy. But I couldn’t get past the cruelty and sadness. I got to 50% on my kindle and had to stop. Such a shame because I was keen to see what became of Lale and Gita but I couldnt’ read it anymore. It’s not the same when I read the overview. It is a 5 star read in my opinion.
Your story is a well written reminder of that time. Well done, Rochelle 🙂
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Dear Fleur,
I haven’t read the book or seen the movie. Compelling I’m sure. So many stories needing to be told. Thank you for your kind comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you Rochelle, and you’re welcome 😊 the new format of WP/Jetpack makes it harder to find comments to reply to.
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We just watched The Tattooist of Auschwitz on television this week. Your story compounded the sense of outrage we both felt re-visiting history. Well done.
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Thank you, whoever you are.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Oh
My heart beaks
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Mine, too, Laurie.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you for this addition to your collection of mini biographies. An inspiring woman, and a truly shameful period in human history.
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Dear Margaret,
So many stories of heroes to tell. So little time. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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