1944 / 45: Sittersdorf: The Germans had sent armed men into the areas controlled by the partisans in Carinthia (Austria). Attacks were the order of the day. The partisans fought, hid, attempted to flee. In those days, there were not many people around who had the courage to say, “Whatever I have, I will share with my fellow men”. My grandmother was one of those. She always hid the partisans in her home and gave them food and clothing. She knew she was taking a big risk, but she never stopped acting in accordance with the principles of her faith

Giving food and clothing to the needy – a sign of Christian Hospitality

1989: St. Oswald/Plankenwarth: It was a July summer’s day and the train station was crowded. Thanks to Caritas, a group of Romanian children were to arrive to enjoy a period of vacation in Styria (Austria). My parents had immediately volunteered to take one of the children.

The train arrived and with it arrived, Ibi, a nine-year old girl who was to spend three weeks with us. During this period, for the first time in her life she knew what it was like to be happy, to eat ice cream, to sleep in a soft bed and a lot more. Three weeks of serenity for a child who came from a Communist-ruled country where violations of human rights were an everyday occurrence.

Three weeks of serenity – a sign of Christian Hospitality

2014: Fatebenefratelli Centre of Kritzendorf: My name is Maria Glawogger and I am the Director of Services at the old people’s nursing home in Kritzendorf (Austria). One of my most important tasks in this job, like that of all my co-workers, is to take care of the well-being of our patients, no matter their nationality, their religion or the pathology from which they suffer.

Make every person feel welcome - this is Christian Hospitality.