Today we celebrate the memorial of Blessed Franz Jägerstätter.
Franz, a husband and the father of three girls named Rosalie, Marie, and Aloisia, was eventually called to serve his country as a Nazi soldier, which he refused, resulting in his execution.
Franz was raised in St. Radegund, Upper Austria, lost his father in World War I, and was given up for adoption after Heinrich Jaegerstaetter wed Rosalia Huber. He was the natural leader of a gang whose members got arrested in 1934 for fighting and enjoyed riding his motorcycle as a young man. He spent three years working in a mine in another city before coming back to St. Radegund to start a farm, get married, and live his faith with a quiet but fierce conviction.
He openly opposed the German Anschluss, or annexation, of Austria in 1938. He was enlisted in the Austrian army the next year and trained there for seven months before being deferred. In 1940, Franz was recalled once more but was permitted to go back home by the mayor. He was on active duty between October 1940 and April 1941 but got postponed again. He was advised not to decline the call to arms if written by his pastor, other priests, and the bishop of Linz.
Franz received another call-up in February 1943, and that he should report to the army authorities in Enns, Austria. When he refused to swear allegiance to Hitler, Franz got imprisoned in Linz. Later, he offered to join the medical corps, but his suggestion got denied.
During The Holy Week, Franz wrote to his wife that if God willed them that they could not celebrate this Easter together as a family, they could still look ahead to next Easter and hope they may all celebrate it together.
Franz said, “I can only act on my conscience,” when his lawyer questioned him about other Catholics serving in the military. I judge no one. He said, “I have thought about my family. I can only bestow judgment on myself. I’ve prayed and given God control over my family and me. I am confident God will provide for my family if I follow his lead.
Franz sent Fransizka the following letter on August 8, 1943: “Dear wife and mother, I thank you for everything you have done for me. I humbly ask that you forgive me for my transgressions towards you, just as I have forgiven everything. Give my sincere greetings to my beloved children. If I am permitted access to paradise soon, I will request my loving God to reserve a small space there for all of you.
The following day, Franz was executed and then cremated. In St. Radegund, he got buried in 1946 close to a plaque bearing his name and the names of over 60 village men who died in the line of duty. On October 26, 2007, he received the canonization in Linz. His “spiritual testament” is currently housed in Rome’s St. Bartholomew Church as part of a memorial to believers who died for their faith in the 20th century. The liturgical holiday honoring Blessed Franz takes place on August 9.
source: franciscanmedia.org