On June 1, 2007, Pope Benedict authorized the Congregation for the Causes of Saints to publish Decrees about Servants of God. Eleven Decrees were for persons who died in the 20th century of these, three Decrees were about Martyrs:
1. 104 Priests in 1936 during the Spanish Civil War.
2. 23 Religious Sisters in 1936 during the Spanish Civil War.
3. A layman, Franz Jagerstatter killed by Nazis in 1943.
The Decree about this layman states: "The martyrdom of the Servants of God, Francis Jagerstatter, layman, born May 20, 1907 in St. Rodegund, Austria and killed August 9, 1943 in Berlin – Brandenburg, Germany." In this Decree of June 1, 2007, Pope Benedict declared him to be an "authentic martyr." The rites of beatification declaring him BLESSED will occur on October 26, 2007 in Linz, Austria.
The heroic witness of this Catholic layman of our own time is extraordinary and truly inspiring. Franz was born in the farming village of St. Rodegund in Upper Austria on May 20, 1907. He was born out of wedlock to parents too poor to get married. His father was killed in World War I. Franz was raised by his maternal grandmother until 1917 when his mother married farmer Jagerstatter who adopted him. He completed school and labored on the farm.
He was a lively youth, drinking, fighting and having a good time with buddies. He was the first to own a motorcycle. In 1933, age 26, he fathered a daughter outside of marriage. Three years later he married a local girl, Franziska. She too was lively but also sensible and a devout Catholic. Through her genuine faith and attractive piety, he experienced conversion and became a convinced and devout Catholic. She was the perfect partner for this carefree and irresponsible young man.
In the middle and late 30's great efforts were on the way to spread Nazism in Austria. Franz was totally opposed to the Nazi regime. When Nazis saluted with "Heil Hitler," he responded "Pfui Hitler." [The German word "Pfui" means "Ugh! or Disgusting!" in English.] In March, 1938, the Nazi Army occupied Austria. On April 10th a plebiscite on yes or no to Austria's annexation to Germany was held. The vote was heavily in favor.
In 1940 Franz was drafted on June 17. He returned home after a few days because the Mayor said he was needed on the farm. He was again in the army form October 1940 to April 1941 but not at the Front.
In the military for this short time, he became more convinced of the evil of Nazism. He determined not to serve in the military. Again, because of agricultural needs, the Mayor succeeded in having Franz released from the army. The final crisis came in 1943 when Franz was summoned for induction.
On March 1, 1943 Franz wrote to his wife from the Induction Center about his decision. He would formally refuse to serve in the Nazi Army, a crime carrying the death penalty. "Today I am going to take the difficult step."
After moving words of love for her and his children and a personal identification with Christ in Gethsemane, he concludes: "Should it be God's will that I do not see you again in this world, let us then hope to meet soon again in heaven… To all my loved ones: I must send you all my sincerest greetings while I am still in freedom. Learn to become a family loving one another and forgiving whatever may come. Forgive all those who might cause you hardship and me, too. Goodbye until we meet again."
After his official refusal to serve in the Nazi Army, Franz was taken to the military prison in Linz. For two months before the trial, he devoted himself to prayer, writing and care for other prisoners. He was transferred to Berlin early May. He was tried before a court martial and sentenced to death for sedition.
His final prison letter was August 9, 1943, the day of his execution. At 5:30 that day, he was taken from the Berlin Tegel Prison to Brandenburg Prison where he was told of his execution at 4:00 p.m. These are excerpts:
"Greetings in God, my dearest, beloved wife and all my children. I wish to write you a few words of farewell. I beg you again to forgive me if I have hurt or offended you, just as I have forgiven everything. I beg you, too, that all others I have ever offended my forgive me. May God accept my life in reparation not only for my sins but for the sins of others as well. And now, all my dear ones, fare thee well, and do not forget me in your prayers. Thru God's grace we will soon meet again in heaven."
On August 9, 1943, Franz was beheaded at the Brandenburg Prison, the first of 16 executions. He was only 36.
Father Jochmann, the Catholic Chaplain at the Brandenburg Prison, visited the condemned Franz in his final hours. He later remarked how his eyes shone with a joy and confidence that he would never be able to forget. That evening he told some Austrian nuns working in Berlin of the calm manner in which Franz went to his death: "I can only congratulate you on this countryman of yours who lived as a saint and has now died a hero. I say with certainty that this simple man is the only saint I have ever met in my lifetime."
Franz will be declared BLESSED on October 26, 2007 in Linz, Austria.
