Martyr chose God's Kingdom over Hitler

Austrian who opposed the Third Reich is to be beatified next month.

 

Franz Jägerstätter to Be Beatified Next Month

LINZ, Austria, SEPT. 3, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Franz Jägerstätter wrote that he would gladly renounce the rights that came from belonging to the Third Reich in favor of deserving the rights granted by the kingdom of God.
He was killed in 1943 and will be beatified next month.
A husband and father who lived in St. Radegund, Austria, Jägerstätter (1907-1943) voted against the annexation of Austria to Germany in 1938 after many citizens were arrested, tortured and killed.
At the time, he said: "I believe that what took place in the spring of 1938 was not much different from what happened that Holy Thursday 1,900 years ago when the crowd was given a free choice between the innocent Savior and the criminal Barabbas."
In 1943, Jägerstätter, a Third Order Franciscan, refused to join the army, and was thrown into prison after claiming conscientious objection.
While in prison, he kept a journal, writing: "I can easily see that anyone who refuses to acknowledge the Nazi Folk Community and is also unwilling to comply with all the demands of its leaders will thereby forfeit the rights and privileges offered by that nation.
"But it is not much different with God: He who does not obey all the commandments set forth by him and his Church and who is not ready to undergo sacrifices and to fight for his kingdom either -- such one loses every claim and every right under that kingdom.
"Now any one who is able to fight for both kingdoms and stay in good standing in both communities and who is able to obey every command of the Third Reich -- such a man, in my opinion, would be a great magician.
"I, for one, cannot do so. And I definitely prefer to relinquish my rights under the Third Reich and thus make sure of deserving the rights granted under the kingdom of God."
On Aug. 9, 1943, Jägerstätter was taken to Brandenburg where he was executed on the guillotine.
His beatification will take place Oct. 26 in Linz, Austria.

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Benedict XVI says music leads to God

Technorati Tags: Benedict XVI, music, Vatican

Pope Benedict says that music has the power to lead us to the Creator of all harmony.

The Pope said this Tuesday, following a concert he attended in the inner courtyard of the apostolic palace at Castel Gandolfo, south of Rome.
According to the Vatican press office, the event was organized by the Bamberg Symphony Orchestra as part of the celebrations marking the 100th anniversary of the archdiocese of that German city.
The Pontiff said that music "has the power to lead us back ... to the Creator of all harmony, creating a resonance within us which is like being in tune with the beauty and truth of God, with the reality which no human knowledge or philosophy can ever express."
Benedict XVI thanked the conductor and members of the orchestra, as well as the event's organizers and promoters. He said the concert was a "gift which I interpret as being the sign of a special bond of affection between the Archdiocese of Bamberg and Peter's successor."
He added: "May your jubilee pilgrimage to the tombs of the apostles […] strengthen your faith and joy in God, that you may become his witnesses in daily life."

Shun disposable love, Pope tells eco-rally - World - smh.com.au

Shun disposable love, Pope tells eco-rally - World - smh.com.au Pope Benedict used an eco-rally to get across a very good point: The beauty of Creation is proof of the existence of God.

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