Both Dr. Vincent and Father Luca took part in an agonizing drama of death and rebirth. In each case, it was made clear that the “reactionary spy” who entered the prison must perish, and that in his place must arise a “new man” resurrected in the Communist mold. Indeed, Dr. Vincent still used the phrase, “To die and be reborn”—words which he had heard more than once during his imprisonment.
