The show “60 Minutes” aired a program a couple of weeks ago that touched me deeply. It was entitled, “Three Holocaust Babies.” Leslie Stahl was the narrator. The 26-minute segment tells the incredible story of three pregnant Jewish women who were shipped to Auschwitz. The camp was so huge and tightly controlled, they never met. Pregnancy meant immediate death. But all three managed to hide their pregnancy and eventually give birth in the waning days of the war. Miraculously, all three babies survived and, at age 65, they met for the first time at a commemoration of the 65th anniversary of the liberation of the death camps. The picture above shows the three “babies” today at age 80.
The full story of their survival can be found in Wendy Holden’s best selling book Born Survivors: Three Young Mothers and Their Extraordinary Story of Courage, Defiance, and Hope. I am offering the CBS video for your reflection today. The story reminds us of the horrors of World War II–more specifically, the brutality of the Nazi Regime. It is not easy to watch. At the same time, the story highlights the unbelievable courage, love, and hope of ordinary people during unspeakable sufferings. Despite unimaginable evil, the sparks of human goodness somehow managed to survive–and prevail.
Here are two pictures from the story:
Here is the video:
Reflective questions:
What were some of your feelings and thoughts after viewing this video? Even one or two words might be enough.
Did any picture, comment by the three survivors, Pete Peterson’s story, or specific details stand out for you? Would you like to share one or two with us below?
What helped Pete Peterson “overcome” his PTSD?
When Mark, as a young boy, tells his mother what he wants to do to Germans when he grows up, what does his mother say to him?
What were some of the “miraculous” events or “coincidences” that made it possible for all three mothers and babies to survive?
Do you think the current adult population in today’s world has the same kind of strength and courage that the generation of the Great Depression and World War II had? Remember that journalist Tom Brokaw called that U.S. generation “The Greatest Generation.” Do you think that’s true?
Does this story have any important messages for us living in today’s world?
Did anything give you hope in this story?
I encourage you to add a comment below. I’d love for us to share our thoughts about this extraordinary story.
46 Responses
Good morning, Melannie…
Good morning, all…
My eyes were full of tears. Tears of sadness, tears of joy, tears, just tears. I have watched 60 Minutes for years, but I’ve never been so moved by one of its segments. Miracles and reunions! Seeds of virtue planted in the past blooming in the present. Today, in honor of one of husbands, I will try my best to “think happy thoughts.” God bless you, Melannie.
John, I shared with you my own tears–tears of horror and profound sadness… but also tears of miracles and joy. Melannie
Good Morning Sister Melannie,
Thank you for including this segment of 60 Minutes.
This article, these people were awesome, brave, sad, full of Godwinks, heartwarming and most of all true. It/they brought me to tears.
I do believe that generation was The Greatest Generation, my dad served in WWII and related many of his experiences in Europe and provided us with many photographs ( treasures for our family).
Jean, I believe that “Greatest Generation” answered the call to “courageous service” in remarkable ways. At the same time we must follow that same call in our own times… Thank God your Dad was able to share part of his story with you–including pictures. What a “treasure” for your family. Melannie
Good morning!
I too saw that 60 Minutes episode and was deeply moved by the story of the three woman and their babies. I think about it constantly and just how miraculous it truly is that they survived such a horrific ordeal…. to know how unbelievably cruel one human being can be to another is unfathomable.
Lucille, I’m so glad you had the same reaction to this story when you viewed it on “60 Minutes.” Your last sentence is soberinng… it seems cruelty knows no limits… BUT love and goodness and kindness know no limits either…. Melannie
Dear Sister,
I saw this episode on 60 Minutes when it was aired, and was as deeply moved as you described your feelings. An amazing story of perseverance, hope, and courage.
I do believe that my father and mother‘s generation was aptly called the greatest generation. I can only hope that My generation of baby boomers, and our children and their children, can rise up to that same level of heroism and courage.
Thank you always for your insights,
Elaine Snyder
Elaine, I agree that we hope and pray “our generation, our children and their children, can rise up to the same level of heroism and courage.” Every generation has its major challenges and crises… Thank you for reminding us of that great truth. Melannie
Good Morning, As I struggle with the War in Iran and more today – the love in this story of survival gives me hope S we have concentration camps in the USA… that some day we will Love our Neighbors
Joanne, I found this story an awful reminder of how powerful evil can be. But, like you, I found hope in this story–especially seeing ordinary individuals doing extraordinary things… Sooner or later we have to reject or accept Jesus’ “directive”: love one another… If we reject it, our choice can lead to horrific and inhumane situations. If we accept it, our choice can lead to peace, justice, and loving communities.
Interesting that this blog of miraculous survival of 6 lives in a death camp,
Is heard for the first time a week before a new war erupts regarding the same hatred
that has prevailed.
Here we are 3/4 of a century later and our country and Israel are attacking a country in the Middle East who has declared death to both of us.
Hatred continues and grows despite what history records as the root of it
May God help us at this very moment of time as He has in the past.
Marilyn
Marilyn, I put together this blog two weeks ago. I felt an urgency to post it as soon as I could. I set today for the date. When “war erupted” a few days ago, I realized how urgent its message really is… Tragically, we don’t seem to learn the lessons from history… I echo the words of you last sentence. Thank you for writing.
I am always profoundly moved by stories of the horror perpetrated during WW II and this story especially because it is also a story of miracles.
Evil still exists today and we hear devastating stories over and over again. We need to remember there is also good in the world and stories of survival and God’s mercy.
Loretta, Yes, we must never lose sight of the good, the true, the beautiful in our world–and in ourselves… At the same time, we must never lose sight of the power of evil, the persuasiveness of lies, the ugliness of immorality. And we must reach out to our God of strength and mercy for help. Melannie
Saw 60 Minutes and wondered if any of us would have the stamina to go through what people of the Holocaust did. And it reminds me if the terrible treatment of the migrants today Iin our own detention (concentration?) camps. Whether legal or illegal, Jewish or minority, no one should ever be treated that way. We apparently have learned nothing, or become any better people for being aware of history.
SD, A few weeks ago I wrote “Praying with Our DNA.” I was reminded of that reflection after I watched this story on “60 Minutes.” What does it take to get human beings to see and acknowledge our common humanity? How does deep hatred for one another begin–and how does it grow? What fans the flames of hatred–fear? greed? insecurity? … Thank you for your comment… Melannie
Detention centres are a little bit different than concentration camps don’t you think? Immigrants are fed, clothed, counselled, get free medical care and do not have to work themselves to death, or forced to have sex with a *Nazi*
Linda, You’re right about detention camps being “a little bit different” from concentration camps. At the same time, the death camps didn’t start out as death camps. Many began as prisons for those who had committed “treason,” that is, those who spoke out against Hitler. Only over time did they morph and multiply into labor camps and eventually death camps for Jews and “other undesirables.” Thank you for writing. Melannie
How many should we take in? Germany and the UK are in big trouble because they took in too many…at the expense of their own people.
Also, don’t forget the ship of Jewish people escaping from the Nazis, that was turned away from the US..and forced to return.
Linda, You raise some good questions here… the questions we should be asking one another and our elected officials–and ourselves… Melannie
This was an amazing story!!! I think it tops just about every 60 min. story I have seen. It is truly a modern day Miracle!!!! Thank you for sharing.
Toni, I share your enthusiasm… Let us hope we can learn from this story of a “modern day miracle.” Melannie
I watched the 60 Minutes Episode when I was too sick to attend evening Mass one Sunday. Any self pity about being sick and having to miss Mass was quickly wiped away. I also read the book, which was wrenching and difficult to read in parts, but I persevered to bear witness. Out of all that misery, three babies were born and had good lives. Their mothers were so brave and determined. What love!
Valorie, I’m sure God spoke to your heart in this short film–even though you were sick and had to miss Mass… “Eucharist” can take many forms… I was touched by your perseverance to read “the wrenching and difficult” book in order to “bear witness.” Yes, we “owe” some individuals the time it takes to hear their stories, so we may thank them for their witness of courage and love–and we may find the courage and love in our own hearts for our time and place. Melannie
I also saw this on 60 Minutes. Very hard to watch, but this had a good ending.
Sometimes there’s just no words.
I shake my head every day.
God help us.
Sue, Everything about the Holocaust is “hard to watch.” And I certainly agree with your “sometimes there’s just no words.” Even though my life has been devoted “to words,” I realize there are times when all words fall short… when something is too awful, or something is too beautiful. I felt this film had both… but the beautiful triumphed… Melannie
Thank you so much for sending this beautiful video. Our mission priest talked about Richard Foster and four things that we should zone in on…..Gratitude, Courage, Compassion and the Kingdom of God. This story certainly depicts all of these virtues. What courageous people.
Jane, I liked the priest’s suggestion about what we focus on: Gratitude, Courage, Compassion, and the Kingdom of God. Of all the words, I think right now we are being called especially to compassion first, followed by the courage that compassion will evoke in us. Melannie
A “WOW” story of how hope springs eternal. Thank you!
Susan, A beautiful and appropriate response to this film. Thank you! Melannie
What an amazing story! Thank you Sister for sharing. So happy for the 3 babies!
Shirley, “Amazing” is another apt response to this film. The three babies are so upbeat, positive, lively, and grateful to their dear mothers. They give me hope! Melannie
“The opposite of love is not hate, it’s indifference. The opposite of art is not ugliness, it’s indifference. The opposite of faith is not heresy, it’s indifference. And the opposite of life is not death, it’s indifference.” Elie Wiesel
In this moment of national and international angst and disruption, your comments and those of your readers about Three Holocaust Babies demonstrates that a wellspring of empathy and humanity exists.
This, as opposed to the indifference observed on the political landscape to the plight of others and the least among us.
Thank you Sister for bringing attention to this heartrending story.
May God’s good grace bless us all.
Mike
Mike, Thank you for giving us Elie Wiesel’s famous words. As many of our readers may know, Wiesel was a holocaust survivor of Auschwitz and Buchenwald. He was one prisoner who managed to “retain his soul” despite everything he saw and experienced in those death camps. He eventually even went on to win the Nobel Peace Prize! Amazing!… May that “wellspring of empathy and humanity” of which you speak make a difference in our world today. Thank you for your powerful reponse, Mike. Melannie
Good morning Sr Melannie.
This story of the three holocaust babies is one I wish I had known when my students and I were learning about the cruelty in the camps. It shows how one candle in the darkness can ignite hope in others so that they too can be brave enough to light their own candle. We need this in our world today. We also need God’s strength to not grow weary of speaking and spreading his message of love for all.
May our good God continue to bless us all!
Martha, Your words are beautiful! I too was so inspired by the three women, the American soldiers who liberated so many of the camps, and by the lives and spirit of the surviving “three babies.” I really believe that “one candle in the darkness can ignite hope in others so that they too can be brave enough to light their own candle.” May each one of us keep our candles burning–with Go’s help and strength. Thank you for responding… Melannie
Wow! This was moving. The hand of God was at play for sure. Never have I ever seen photos like that before; and to be able to put actual faces to those in the photos makes it so surreal. 60 Minutes did a great job. What town in Illinois was Pete Peterson from? Was he Catholic?
Brandon, Your “Wow!” echoes my “Wow!” when I saw this “moving” story for the first time. I agree that it’s powerful to see actual photos and hear the stories of real people… I’m writing to “60 Minutes” and Leslie Stahl. They need to know how this segment impacted so many of us… I don’t know which town Pete Peterson was from. It doesn’t say in this film. Maybe the book does. And I don’t know his faith either… Thanks for writing! Melannie
Dear Sr Melannie,
It was a very moving story from the beginning but the tears flowed after hearing what Mark’s mother told him.
Thank you for the story of these three miracle babies. God is great!
I recommend, Man’s Search for Meaning, a 1946 book by Viktor Frankl. He wrote: “After all, man is that being who invented the gas chambers of Auschwitz; however, he is also that being who entered those gas chambers upright, with the Lord’s Prayer or the Shema Yisrael on his lips.”
Stephanie, Mark’s mother’s words to him–for me–was one of the most powerful lines from the film. His desire (at age 12) to go to Germany and “kill as many Germans as I can,” were terrible to hear. But his mother’s response was beautiful, “They took so much from us… but if you do that, they will have taken your soul.”… And I too recommend Frankl’s book. Thank you for including that powerful quote in your response. Melannie
Your essay, the *60 Minutes* story and the many replies all resonate with me. Yes, bigotry didn’t end with the integration of our armed forces by president Truman. Another source tells the tragic tale of the great tenor sax player of the swing era and later, Lester Young. When he was drafted into the Army, he didn’t get moved into a good band. He suffered mean taunts and persecution, and as time passed he turned to drugs, soured on this nation and died a bitter man. For several years during WW II, Jews couldn’t get into this country. After the war discrimination continued and antisemitism is still a big stain on our society, as is bias against Blacks, Indigenous and other people of color and people who don’t conform to sexual standards. Jesse Jackson formed a “Rainbow Coalition,” but today people have to be very careful where they fly a rainbow flag. As the Quakers say, “Love thy neighbor–no exceptions.” (Jesus also said, “Love your enemies,” and the English word “enemy” comes from a Latin word *inimicus” meaning “not a friend.”) Which calls to my mind a sign I saw in a tavern: “A stranger is a friend you haven’t met.” This evokes a fine, short book,*Beautiful Souls* by Yuval Press, on how bigotry can be overcome when people who are different may be seen in a bad light as groups but respected and treasured when seen as equal persons.
George, Your response is filled with true tragic stories from our past (which we must never forget) but also with much wisdom for how we can proceed into the future. The Quaker quote is very fitting. Remember, Quakers called themselves “The Society of Friends.” The name “quaker” originally was a derogatory name given to them by outsiders. And the tavern sign is one I’ve often used in my retreats… Thank you, too, for another good book recommendation … Melannie
Tom Brokaw got it right: that generation was the greatest in modern times. My father, along with all his brothers, fought in WWII. The stories he could or would share were a mixture of great sadness, despair, & pride in the war effort in the U. S. as well as this fighting against an evil force never before seen to him.
I grew up in the Vietnam war era & the tone was significantly different both at home & abroad. The unrest, anger, & lack of support for my generation in the USA for those drafted for years went under appreciated & respected for their sacrifices.
My children & grandchildren have no real concept of such experiences if such magnitude because it was never their reality. Except for 9/11, my children’s generation got a glimpse of the evil of man’s inhumanity to mankind.
This is why history matters; these accounts must never be forgotten or sugarcoated so they aren’t repeated ever again.
Carol, Thank you for your “mini history lesson” based on your own experiences with your father, your remembrance of Vietnam and then 9/11. I couldn’t agree more with your words: “This is why history matters.” And real history matters and not the “sugarcoated” kind. When I’ve watched the documentaries by Ken Burns, I am always so impressed with the historians who speak. Their voices need to be heard. Thanks for writing! Melannie
I just read this posting and similar to most responses, it brought many tears to my eyes. Their stories are remarkable. God has a way of bringing miracles into our lives and those miracles bring joy when shared.
Both of my parents were in WW II. They met when my mother was an officer in the US Army Corps of Nurses. She was born and raised in a rural farming community in Iowa and had signed up to serve after both of her parents had died. She was recently graduated from St. Mary’s School of Nursing in Rochester, Minnesota where she trained and worked under the Mayo Brothers at their Clinic. Although she had 5 siblings, they were all settled in married lives with children. My mother saw an opportunity in the Army as a chance to work and serve her country and to travel.
My father, born and raised in a small town on eastern Long Island, NY was enlisted and had been injured in a battle and sent to the camp hospital in England where my mother was working. They became a love story that never ended.
When the war in Europe ended, my father returned home and continued his career as a plumber. My mother was sent to the Phillipines to finish her commitment of service and then moved to Long Island where she worked in a hospital while making their wedding arrangements. They wed in 1947 and eight children followed including two sets of twins. Their greatest gift to us was their Catholic faith and their devotion to our family. They spoke of their time during the war, but always as a duty to our country and the love they found in each other.
Charlotte, I’m glad you appreciate this remarkable story. And thank you so much for sharing your parents’ beautiful love story. What devoted parents you had–to each other, to their family, to their faith, to their country. You come from “good stock.” Your parents are an inspiration! Melannie