By Katie Robey
Upon one of his last journal entries, Bl. Franz Jägerstätter wrote, “If I must write with my hands in chains, I find that much better than if my will were in chains.”
This journal entry was written before his execution on August 9, 1943, 82 years ago, the anniversary of which falls this weekend. Even while his witness was written more than eight decades ago, we can still find hope in this incredible saint’s words and message.
During our present era, we may feel anxiety over the news and events that seem to consume us. Through the example of Bl. Franz Jägerstätter though, we can find that there is hope in our greatest suffering, anxiety, and worries.
As an Austrian farmer, Bl. Franz was sent to prison for refusal to serve in the Nazi party during World War II. He was eventually executed due to his continued refusal, communicating to his family through written letters of his experiences and spiritual growth during imprisonment.
By his example, Bl. Franz teaches us that through quiet and patient suffering, we receive immense grace. Even at the moment of death, he was a witness to the Christian faith and he remained confident in the Lord’s plan, trusting in Him wholly and without doubt.
On the memorial of this saint’s martyrdom, let us remind ourselves of the great saints who teach us how we can take our fears, anxieties, and worries, and patiently bear them in our time of greatest struggle. For it is in these sufferings that we can find ourselves ever closer to Christ and his great love for us.