ROYAL MONK.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 218, 15 September 1939, Page 5

ROYAL MONK.

RETURNS INTO WORLD.

WORK FOR REFUGEES.

SECRET BRITISH GRANT.

(Special.-—By Air Mail.)

LONDON, August 20.

A recent secret grant of several thousands of pounds by the Lord Baldwin Refugee Fund to "Father Odo" enables the "Sunday Express" to reveal one of the most romantic stories about the rescue of Roman Catholics from Germany. Father Odo, a Benedictine monk, is a cousin of Queen Mary. He was born a duke and gave up his wealth and [titles to enter a monastery.

Now he has become the friend of hundreds of Catholic refugees from Germany and Austria. He has helped them to start life afresh in other countries.

Duke Charles Alexander of Wurttemburg, descendant of kings, became Father Odo, the monk, after the war, iin which he fought for the German [army as a lieutenant in the front line.

Only the suffering of his fellowCatholics brought him forth into the world again from the monastery of Beuron. *

Until such time as their suffering has been entirely relieved he has- devoted his life to the refugees.

This forty-three-vear-old giant—he is 6ft 2in tall and of great girth—is of commanding appearance even in the simple rough, hooded habit he wears. He is nearly bald.

Movements Kept Secret.

Father Odo travels from one European capital to another. Rome, the Vatican. Paris, Berne and London; all these and more he visits, with his movements kept secret by refugee officials with whom he contacts.

It wae to enable him to carry on his work that Father Odo was given the Ibig financial grant by the Lord Baldwin]

Fund. Father Odo was in London recently. He went to Marlborough House to see Queen Mary, who greeted him most affectionately. But, although he coukl visit Queen Mary, Father Odo could not stay to sleep in the soft beds, and comfortable apartments of Marlborough House. Because he is a monk, he had to travel every night to a email monasteiy on the outskirts of London to rest 011 a hard wooden bed.

Father Quin of the Catholic Refugee Committee told the "Sunday Express" that Father Odo was at present on the Continent, but was expected in London

Another associate said of him: "He is a lone worker who is not attached to 'any one committee. He travels extensively and, because of the nature of the work he is doing, his movements are kept secret."

Hie present headquarters are at * monastery in Switzerland.