“The very stones would cry out!” - Luke 19:40
Blessed Franz Jagerstatter
I am profoundly moved by this man’s life and martyrdom, and I can’t remain silent about him. I noticed very few Catholic bloggers have taken note of him, and many more Catholics do not even know who this man is. In our age of moral decadence, war and rumors of war, and blatant compromise of Christian values and teaching, I shouldn’t be surprised that the beatification of Franz Jagerstatter is more or less ignored. I want to cry out: ”Look at him!” “Listen to the man of God!”
Leaving behind a wife and three small daughters, Blessed Franz was beheaded for refusing to kill for the Nazis in WWII. He offered to serve as a non-combative medic, but the Nazi Regime refused this offer, and he was beheaded for treason. Bishops, priests, and lay faithful alike, all pleaded with him to submit to authority, yet this heroic Third Order Franciscan chose the narrow way that leads to eternal life. What follows are some thoughts from Blessed Franz’ writings and life.
“Just as the man who thinks only of this world does everything possible to make life here easier and better, so must we, too, who believe in the eternal kingdom, risk everything in order to receive a great reward there. Just as those who believe in National Socialism tell themselves that their struggle is for survival, so must we, too, convince ourselves that our struggle is for the eternal kingdom. But with this difference: We need no rifles or pistols for our battle, but instead, spiritual weapons—and the foremost among these is prayer. . . . Through prayer, we constantly implore new grace from God, since without God’s help and grace it would be impossible for us to preserve the Faith and be true to His commandments. . . . Let us love our enemies, bless those who curse us, pray for those who persecute us. For love will conquer and will endure for all eternity. And happy are they who live and die in God’s love.” - Blessed Franz Jagerstatter
“I believe there could scarcely be a sadder hour for the true Christian faith in our country,” he wrote, “than this hour when one watches in silence while this error spreads its ever-widening influence.” Commenting on the Austrian plebiscite, which gave approval to the Anschluss, he lamented: “I believe that what took place in the spring of 1938 was not much different from what happened that Holy Thursday 1,900 years ago when the crowd was given a free choice between the innocent Savior and the criminal Barabbas.” - First Things
“In Germany, before Hitler came to power, it was once a matter of policy to refuse Holy Communion to Nazis. And what is the situation today in this Greater German Reich? Many approach the Communion rail with apparently no spiritual misgivings even though they are members of the Nazi Party and, in addition, permit their children to join the Party or even turn them over to Nazi educators for formation. . . . If one gives a little thought to this, there are times when he will want to cry out.” - Blessed Franz Jagerstatter
“If (my disciples) were to keep silence, I tell you the very stones would cry out!” - Luke 19:40
Sources: Franz Jagerstatter: Martyr and Model; Catholic News Agency
October 26th, 2007 at 7:37 pm
” ..If one gives a little thought to this, there are times when he will want to cry out.” - Jagerstatter
No truer words can be spoken … tears should flow over many serious issues today.
I also noted that on the Old Calendar another martyr had once been remembered … born of a Jew from Bethlehem … 3rd (?) Pope, he too was decapitated — Pope Evaristus
Thank you for bringing this Catholic to our attention and his beatification.
It brings to mind one of Archb. Chaput’s recent statements:
“He [Fr. Jean Baptiste Henri Lacordaire] said once: “The priestly word has been entrusted to me, and I was told to carry it to the ends of the earth, no one having the right to silence me on a single day of my life.” The priestly word, the Word of God, has been entrusted to us too, brothers. And no one, not even a member of Congress or Parliament or even an Attorney General, has the right to silence that Word. …”
Amen
October 26th, 2007 at 9:09 pm
Paula,
“No truer words can be spoken … tears should flow over many serious issues today.”
Yes. Very many. And this may explain why so many stone statues are found weeping throughout the world… “The very stones would cry out!”
(See how I write?)
October 27th, 2007 at 12:51 pm
Thanks for bringing Bl. Franz to our attention. I had heard about him before, but didn’t know the details. He does indeed deserve to be better known, for his Christian witness in life and death.
October 28th, 2007 at 6:43 pm
[...] Terry Nelson added an interesting post on âThe very stones would cry out!â - Luke 19:40.Here’s a small excerpt:Blessed Franz Jagerstatter. “If (my disciples) were to keep silence, I tell you the very stones would cry out!” - Luke 19:40. Sources: Franz Jagerstatter: Martyr and Model; Catholic News Agency. Share This. [...]