Blessed Franz Jägerstätter

Franz Jägerstätter did not think World War II was a just war and he was a conscientious objector. In the United States, drafted conscientious objectors were put into the Civilian Public Service (CPS) where they served through the war and until every service man was returned. But Franz lived in Austria.

Franz met with priests and his Bishop explaining why he felt the war was not just and how he didn't feel he ought to serve. While each of the clergy suggested that he serve, (some saying that he was the type of Catholic they would need after the war to rebuild the country) each said he ought to follow his conscience.

In February, 1943 Franz was called into service. On March 1st he presented himself at the induction center, announced his refusal to fight, and offered to carry out non-violent services. The German board pleaded with him to serve rather than be executed. He was put in jail partially with the hope that he would change his mind. During that time, at Easter, his wife sent him a picture of their daughters hold a sign which said (in German) "Father please come home!"

In July a court sentenced him to death. On August 9th, Franz wrote, "If I must write... with my hands in chains, I find that much better than if my will were in chains. Neither prison nor chains nor sentence of death can rob a man of the Faith and his free will. God gives so much strength that it is possible to bear any suffering.... People worry about the obligations of conscience as they concern my wife and children. But I cannot believe that, just because one has a wife and children, a man is free to offend God."

Father Jochmann was the prison chaplain in Berlin and spent some time with Jägerstätter that day. He reports that the prisoner was calm and uncomplaining. He refused any religious material, even a New Testament, because, he said, "I am completely bound in inner union with the Lord, and any reading would only interrupt my communication with my God." Very few men could have made such a statement without seeming to be in denial or utterly mad.

Franz was beheaded that day, August 9, 1943 at the age of 36.

Father Jochmann later said of him: "I can say with certainty that this simple man is the only saint I have ever met in my lifetime."

Franz's ashes were buried and removed after the war. For some time the ashes were held in a convent and the religious sisters reported a number of miracles taking place during that time. The ashes were returned to the family and he was buried beside his church.
 

In 1997 a German Court overturned his death sentence.
 
In June 2007, Pope Benedict XVI issued an apostolic exhortation declaring Jägerstätter a martyr. In October he was beatified. His feast day, the day of his baptism, is May 21.