Abbey-Roads2

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

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I almost forgot!  (Charity compels me to post on my fast from the internet day!)

Today, Franz Jägerstätter’s beatification takes place in Linz, Austria.  Blessed Franz was a conscientious objector under the Nazis and put to death for his refusal to kill for the German military.  In a time when many people in the world question the legality of the war in Iraq, and now with talk of possible war with Iran, Blessed Franz Jägerstätter’s beatification, his witness to the Gospel, invites us to examine our consciences on the issues of war and peace, violence and murder, hatred and bigotry. 

“The life of Franz Jägerstätter was the ordinary life of an Austrian farmer in the village of St. Radegund. He was a devout Catholic, a daily communicant who prayed the rosary while doing farm chores. Sexton of his parish church, he was married and had three children. But, on August 9, 1943 Franz Jägerstätter’s life became other than ordinary, when he was legally killed by the German Military for refusing to kill for the German Military.

At the hour of his death few people knew him and no one who did know him supported him in his refusal to engage in homicide for the Führer. Legions of Christians of all ranks told him to do his duty and go to war like the other Christian men. His bishop, pastor and spiritual advisors endeavored to persuade him that his conscientious objection was a wrong and futile course, even possibly sinful and contrary to Church teaching. He was looked upon as the embarrassing, if not mentally unstable, polar opposite of the heroic Aryan warrior. However, with a courage that, even on an exclusively human plane, was noble, heart-rending and eminently inspiring, he gently stood firm and said, “No,” to joining the German military. So it can be said with certitude, that when the blade of the guillotine fell at Brandenburg Prison near Berlin at 4 p.m. on August 9, 1943, Franz Jägerstätter was totally alone, almost totally unknown and destined to be totally forgotten.” - Rev. Emmanuel Charles McCarthy 

War will exist until that distant day when the conscientious objector enjoys the same reputation and prestige that the warrior does today.

~ John F. Kennedy

[Thanks to my Bruderhoff brother for sending me this link earlier in the month.]

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