July 2018 Philadelphia Chapter of Pax Christi U.S.A.
75th Anniversary of
Franz Jägerstätter’s Martyrdom August 9, 1943
Franz (28) and Franziska (23) married on April 9, 1936.
In 1940 Franz was called up for the first period of military service. Franziska who only just had their third child was responsible for the management of the farm in Franz’s absence. Franz returned from that military service determined that he would not serve again, he and Franziska had two years of anxious anticipation that he would be called up again. …
On February 23, 1943, Franz was called to active duty. He maintained his position against fighting for the Third Reich and on March 1 declared his conscientious objection refusing the oath of induction for conscription into the Nazi military as “contrary to his Catholic faith”. His offer to serve as a paramedic was ignored. He was immediately imprisoned. He was sentenced to death on July 6th and executed by guillotine on August 9, 1943. Franz was 36 and his eldest daughter was 6.
October 26, 2007 Franz was declared Blessed of the Catholic Church. The honor of the beatification was an acknowledgment of Franz’s courage and conviction. It was also a celebration of Franziska’s faith and love …
The witness for which we honour Franz Jägerstätter was a joint witness … His was the dramatic action; hers to live out that act of resistance…
Bishop T. Gumbleton, 1987
Mass to Commemorate the 75th Anniversary of Martyrdom …
Sunday, August 12, 2018, 10:00
St. Malachy Church, 1429 N. 11th St., 19122 (No refreshments after)
Celebrant: Fr. Thomas Kletzel
Concelebrant and Reflection: Fr. John McNamee
Woodcut: Door to the Path Taken, Robert McGovern