July 2016 Philadelphia Chapter of Pax Christi U.S.A.

News from Franz and Franziska Jaegerstaetter !

Christian Marte, SJ, visited CPF in March 2014 after hearing from the family about our September 2013 memorial service for Franziska Jagerstätter, Franz’s wife, who died at age 100. Two of Jagerstätter’s daughters, Alosia and Maria, and Bishop Thomas Gumbleton, a close family friend, were present at the service. Bishop Gumbleton and others are calling for the Beatification of Franziska, eventually joining her husband in Sainthood.

All who know the family affirm that Franz could never have accepted a death sentence, for refusing to serve in Hitler’s army based on his Christian faith, without the support and love of Franziska.

The anniversary of Franz’s death is August 9th. Please join us in prayer to Blessed Franz for an end to the horrible wars in our world. He is with our Lord. J.B.

Dear CPF,

”I am happy that you still think of Franz and Franziska.

They are both really an inspiration and a gift of God, especially in these times of violence.” Christian Marte

Franz and Franziska Jaegerstaetter were living in tiny village in Austria, near the German border – in St Radegund. The small church there is very old. It was built and consecrated in 1422, seventy years before Christopher Columbus discovered America.

In this church Franz and Franziska went to Mass, there they prayed, there they married – and there they both served as sacristans. One of their daughters, Rosi, is still looking after the flowers in the church.

In recent months, the church was completely renovated – inside and outside. All was done under the strict supervision of the federal office for monument protection. Due to the old age of the building, a lot of steel had to be used to stabilise the whole construction. The outside walls were dehumidified.

In the inside, a new altar was built – and consecrated by Bishop Manfred Scheuer on 21 May 2016. The urn of Franz Jaegerstaetter was placed inside the altar, following the old tradition to celebrate Eucharist upon the relics of Martyrs. It is extraordinary, that we can see, through a thick glass, the ashes of Franz. The urn can also be seen, especially the lid which shows the name of Franz.

The ambo from where the word of God is proclaimed, was made new as well as the baptismal font. This is especially important as the memorial day of Franz Jaegerstaetter is the day of his baptism: 21 May (1907). Not many people know that his titular saint was Francis Caracciolo, the patron saint of Naples, a priest who cared especially for the prisoners and those who are sentenced to death.

Inside the church, on the floor and on the walls, sentences of Franz Jaegerstaetter – and also from his children – are on display – in the handwriting of Franziska.

The artistic design was done by two artists: Christoph Mayer and Petr Barth. The task was difficult, as there was neither an altar nor an ambo nor a baptismal font until now in this tiny church. They worked with great caution and could achieve, together with the people of the Parish, that this church is now preserved for many generations as a place of prayer, of strength and blessing.

One moment was very moving for me. For the first time I saw during the liturgy with Bishop Manfred the cross which Franz heated until it glowed and pressed it against his chest. This cross was initially at the top of a flagpole – flags are usually used until today for processions in the fields. Franz, in 1941, wanted to have the Holy Name of Jesus (IHS) imprinted always on his body – he branded himself with the heated cross. Franziska learned about it only when she washed his bloody shirt. Franz gave the cross to her – and she kept it for dozens of years. Now it is a relic, a cross for special blessings, which is kept together with the Holy Oils in the sanctuary.

Fr. Christian Marte, S.J.

Vienna, 15 Juni 2016

Go to the following link to see the photos:

https://www.dioezese-linz.at/site/jaegerstaetter/home/news/article/50131.html

St Radegund’s Church