Diocese of Austin • Summer 2013
Newsletter of the Office of Pro-Life Activities and Chaste Living 2 • From the Director Searching Our Hearts
4 • Around the Diocese
THRiVE! Encourages Youth to Embrace Chastity
6 • National News
Bigger than Gosnell
7 • Mary, Pro-Life Inspiration 16 • Calendar of Events Briana Feiler Returns as Pastoral Care Coordinator
Léanos en español a partir de la página 9
Standing for Religious Freedom by Tom Grenchik
T
he recent death of Franziska Jägerstätter at the wonderful age of 100, and the various reflections on her life, reminded me of the loneliness she endured as the ostracized widow of a martyr. While many are now singing the praises of the Jägerstätter family, that was not always the case. In 1943, Franziska’s husband Franz was imprisoned and condemned to death for his refusal to serve in the German army. A military court rejected his claim that he could not be a Catholic and go to war to serve a Nazi regime. Franz realized quite clearly that he was not only putting his own life on the line, but also putting his family at great risk by standing up for his conscience rights and religious freedom, choosing to follow Christ rather than act against his Catholic faith. While he was in prison, many colleagues tried to persuade him to “see reason” and recant his position. Friends, family members, even clergy, Though his witness may not encouraged him to agree to serve in what he believed was an unjust and immoral war. They constantly have been appreciated in his reminded him of his obligations to his wife, children, own time and by his own people, family farm, and even his community. While Franz suffered greatly in prison, knowing Franz Jägerstätter was beatified that his stance would eventually lead to his execution, Franziska was agonizing back home, knowing that in 2007, with his family presshe would soon lose her loving husband and that ent. The beatification homily their three young daughters would soon lose their father. With little help, she had to work the family noted that Blessed Franz Jägerfarm while being shunned by neighbors and relatives stätter’s witness remains a chalfor “not doing enough” to convince her husband to change his mind. Many in the village were concerned lenge and an encouragement to that his personal stand for religious freedom could all the faithful who seek to live endanger their entire community. The contempt for the Jägerstätter family did not their faith with coherence and end with his beheading in August of 1943. Franziska radical commitment, even accontinued to be shunned by neighbors. When other widows who lost husbands in the war received some cepting extreme consequences government assistance, Franziska did not. Any sub- if necessary. sidies to struggling farms were only given to compliant farmers. The Jägerstätters did not qualify for any coupons for clothing or shoes. Fellow villagers were afraid to lend support, for fear that they would be seen as encouraging conscientious objection. The family continued to be disregarded for decades after the war. Though his witness may not have been appreciated in his own time and by his own people, Franz Jägerstätter was beatified in 2007, with his family present. The beatification homily noted that Blessed Franz Jägerstätter’s witness remains a challenge and an encouragement to all the faithful who seek to live their faith with coherence and radical commitment, even accepting extreme consequences if necessary. Franziska most certainly continued to embrace the cross, for many years after Franz’s martyrdom.
“
”
continued on page 8 . . .