Redisplacement of Memorial Stone Honorifying Josef Ruf near St. Joseph's Church in Malstatt
In the heart of Saarbrücken, a solemn ceremony took place on June 27, as a new Stolperstein was inaugurated in front of the Catholic Church of St. Josef in Malstatt. The Stolperstein, a small brass memorial plaque, serves as a poignant reminder of those who suffered during the Holocaust and the resistance movement.
This particular Stolperstein honours Josef Ruf, a conscientious objector who refused to swear allegiance to Adolf Hitler and was executed in Brandenburg-Görden on October 10, 1940.
Josef Ruf's journey began in Hochberg near Bad Saulgau, where he was born on December 15, 1905. After initially training as a tailor, he joined the Franciscan order in Gorheim/Sigmaringen and passed his exam in the monastery of Frauenberg near Fulda in 1926.
Ruf later became involved in the Catholic renewal movement and, in 1933, he was stationed in Saarbrücken as a missionary helper at the parish church of St. Josef. However, in May of the same year, he left the monastery just before his final vows.
Ruf's decision to become a conscientious objector led to his conscription for military service in 1940. Despite his refusal to swear allegiance to Hitler, he was executed for his beliefs.
The first Stolperstein for Ruf, laid on June 4, was mysteriously removed, marking a first in the history of the Stolperstein initiative in Saarbrücken. A replacement Stolperstein was swiftly created and presented to the St. Josef parish by an employee of Gunter Demnig, the initiator of the Europe-wide Stolperstein action.
Thomas Emser, Saarbrücken's district mayor, expressed his satisfaction with the quick replacement of the Stolperstein for Josef Ruf. In his contribution, Emser outlined the life of the honoured Ruf.
Community representatives Marion Bexten and Annette Fleming from the pastoral team welcomed the attendees at the inauguration. Special greetings were extended to Saarbrücken's district mayor Thomas Emser, representatives of the parish, and the Malstatt citizenry.
The new Stolperstein was solemnly inaugurated on the church steps in the presence of many citizens, church representatives, and the district mayor. The ceremony served as a poignant reminder of Ruf's courage and the importance of remembering those who stood up against oppression during a dark period in history.
General-news: Thomas Emser, the district mayor of Saarbrücken, has expressed his satisfaction with the quick replacement of the Stolperstein for Josef Ruf, a conscientious objector who was executed for his beliefs.
Sports: In a different sphere, it's been reported that the local sports club, St. Josef of Saarbrücken, has announced a new initiative to promote physical fitness and unity amongst the community, coinciding with the inauguration of the Stolperstein honoring Josef Ruf.
