One century ago, an unspeakable evil was conceived in one of Europe’s most cultured and religious nations. In January 1919, the German Workers Party was founded after that country’s defeat in the First World War. It was a far-right, anti-Semitic, and nationalist political party that fervently believed in Germany’s cultural and ethnic superiority over its adversaries and neighbors. Among its first members was Adolph Hitler. Within a year, Hitler seized control of the party and changed its name to what history remembers as the Nazi Party.

While Hitler was building a power structure based on bigotry, hatred, and violence, Franz Jägerstätter was working on a farm owned by his adopted parents in a small Austrian village. Franz was a typical adolescent. He was full of energy and mischief. He was the first person intown to own a motorcycle. He was known as something of a lady’s man. But Franz was also known for his diligence and kindness toward others.

In 1933, the same year during which Adolph Hitler rose to power in German politics, FranzJägerstätter inherited his family’s farm. In 1936, as Hitler conspired with Mussolini, violated international law, and mandated universal military service, Franz fell in love, got married, and made a honeymoon pilgrimage to Rome. His wife was a deeply religious woman who encouraged her husband to read the scriptures and study the lives of the saints. Together, they had three daughters. After a long, but fruitful conversion, Franz became sacristan at his parish church and joined the Third Order of Saint Francis.

As a sign of his deepening faith, Franz Jägerstätter was the only person in his village to vote against the German takeover of Austria in 1938. Two years later, Franz was drafted into military service. Following an intervention by his hometown mayor, Franz was temporarily exempted from active service because he was a farmer. Although never part of any organized resistance, Franz was convinced that Hitler and the Nazis were an evil force that must be confronted by all people of good conscience. So, when called again to active duty in 1943, Franz offered to serve as a corpsman, but refused to fight for the Nazis or pledge allegiance to Hitler.

Later that year, Franz was arrested, convicted of treason, and brutally executed. Before his death, he wrote: “God gives so much strength to those who love him and who give priority to eternity, rather than to the world. Neither prison, nor chains, nor sentence of death, can separate me from the love of God; or take away my faith and free will. The power of God cannot be overcome.” After the war, Franz Jägerstätter’s sacrifice almost faded from memory. But in 1964, a biography was published. Thomas Merton then wrote about him. A television movie was produced. In 1997, his death sentence was dismissed by a German court. And in 2007, Pope Benedict XVI beatified him and declared him a martyr.

According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, all Christians are obligated to give witness to the Gospel of Christ by both word and deed. “Martyrdom is the supreme witness given to the truth of the faith: it means bearing witness even unto death (CCC 2473).” Not all of us will be called to this supreme witness. But just like Franz Jägerstätter, an ordinary farmer and family man, we can shine the bright light of conscience even during the darkest times. And we can pray for the courage to live the Gospel without counting the cost — even unto death.

Cliff Garvey
Associate Minister
Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport
Contact: cgarvey@ccgronline.com

CCGR Weekly Newsletter (6-2-19) 
Bringing Home the Word (6-2-19)
Video: The Story of Franz Jägerstätter

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Crowning Feast of the Holy Spirit
In Memory of Father Eugene Alves
June 3rd through June 9th