I’ve written about Corrie ten Boom before, but today marks the 80th anniversary of her release from Ravensbrück Concentration Camp—a perfect moment to reflect on this remarkable woman’s extraordinary courage and resilience.
Corrie ten Boom is a name synonymous with resilience, faith, and forgiveness. As a Dutch Christian who harbored Jews during World War II, she lived out her deeply held religious convictions in the face of unimaginable adversity. Arrested and sent to Ravensbrück concentration camp, her journey through suffering and ultimate release is a powerful testament to the enduring strength of the human spirit and faith in the midst of horror.
Early Life and Commitment to Faith
Born on April 15, 1892, in Haarlem, Netherlands, Corrie ten Boom grew up in a devoutly Christian household. Her family operated a watchmaking business and actively lived out their faith through acts of charity.
The Nazi occupation of the Netherlands during World War II brought immense challenges. Still the ten Boom family responded by opening their home as a refuge for Jews and members of the Dutch resistance. This “Hiding Place” eventually became the title of Corrie’s famous memoir, which chronicles these events.
In 1944, the Gestapo raided their home, leading to the arrest of Corrie, her sister Betsie, and their father, along with other family members. The ten Boom family was sent to various prisons and camps, and only Corrie survived the war. Her father and sister, who were central figures in her life, died in captivity.
Life in Ravensbrück Concentration Camp
The Gestapo transported Corrie and Betsie to Ravensbrück, a notorious Nazi concentration camp for women in Germany. Life in the camp was a descent into brutality and deprivation. The sisters endured backbreaking labor, malnutrition, and the constant threat of violence. Yet, amid the darkness, they clung to their faith. Using a smuggled Bible, they conducted secret prayer meetings with fellow prisoners, offering solace and hope in the bleakest circumstances.
Betsie’s unshakeable belief in love and forgiveness left a profound impact on Corrie. Betsie often spoke of the need to forgive even their Nazi captors and envisioned a future where they could bring healing to others. Tragically, Betsie succumbed to the harsh conditions in the camp in December 1944.
Just before Betsie passed away, she spoke to Corrie: “When we are set free from this dreadful place—and we will be free, Corrie, before the new year—we must travel the world and share with everyone willing to listen what we have come to know in this dark place: that the love of God is stronger than the deepest darkness. They will believe us because we have been here.”
Miraculous Release
Corrie’s release from Ravensbrück on December 28, 1944, was nothing short of miraculous. Shortly after Betsie’s death, Corrie was informed that she was to be released due to a “clerical error.” Later, it was discovered that all the women in her age group were sent to the gas chambers shortly after her departure. This act of providence underscored Corrie’s belief that her survival was part of a divine plan.
Her release allowed her to carry on Betsie’s vision of spreading forgiveness and reconciliation. Although her physical health had been ravaged by her time in the camp, Corrie ten Boom emerged with an unshakable determination to share her story and the lessons she learned.
Post-War Ministry and Legacy
After the war, Corrie returned to the Netherlands and began a global ministry. She traveled extensively, sharing her experiences and the transformative power of forgiveness. In one of her most famous moments, she encountered a former Ravensbrück guard at a speaking engagement in Germany. When the man asked for her forgiveness, she wrestled with her emotions but ultimately extended her hand in forgiveness, embodying the Christian love she had preached.
Corrie’s memoir, The Hiding Place, published in 1971, brought her story to an international audience. Her message of faith, forgiveness, and resilience has inspired millions. She passed away on her 91st birthday, April 15, 1983, leaving behind a legacy that continues to resonate.
Corrie ten Boom’s release from Ravensbrück was not just a moment of physical freedom but also the beginning of a mission to heal a broken world. Her ability to find meaning and purpose in her suffering is a powerful example of how faith and forgiveness can transcend even the darkest chapters of history. Her story serves as a timeless reminder of the strength of the human spirit and the power of love to overcome hate.
For her efforts to hide Jews from arrest and deportation during the German occupation of the Netherlands, Corrie ten Boom received recognition from the Yad Vashem Remembrance Authority as one of the “Righteous Among the Nations” on December 12, 1967.
Sources
https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/corrie-ten-boom
https://www.biography.com/activists/corrie-ten-boom
https://www.oorlogsbronnen.nl/tijdlijn/90c8103e-82e7-487b-b87f-ba0f3144b04e
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