We rejoice, and we give thanks to God for the life of Franz Jagerstatter, a martyr for the faith, a conscientious objector, a husband and father of three who was executed for refusing any collaboration with the Nazis.

We give thanks also for Jagerstatter's family, especially his wife Franziska who keeps Franz's witness alive for the world. We give thanks for the community members of Sant'Egidio, who have so fervently supported Franz's cause for canonization. We give thanks for Gordon Zahn, whose book In Solitary Witness revealed Jagerstatter's story to the English speaking world.

Most of all, we rejoice for the Church! This great man, husband, father, peacemaker, and saint will now be invoked worlwide as a friend of God and as one whose life merits imitation. The story of how he followed Christ to his death by refusing to fight for the Third Reich will be known ever more widely in the world. Deo Gratias!

Over the past weeks, some have noted that so many of us had already been so certain of Jagerstatter's sainthood, and have questioned this need for "official" recognition by the Church. While we can understand some of the critiques directed at the canonization process, we are nonetheless overwhelmingly grateful that Jagerstatter will now be venerated by the universal Church, rather than just a select group of followers. The process is not for Franz - who is alive with God and has no need for our recognition - it is for us. We need him. And the occasion of his beatification has tremendous significance: one more peacemaker, one more conscientious objector, is being recognized precisely for his refusal to go to war. This is one more indication that peacemaking is no marginal vocation in the Catholic Church: it is at our core, part of our ecclesial mission to help God make us saints.

CPF is producing holy cards of Franz Jagerstatter in order to share his witness and encourage prayer and devotion through his intercession. We also are pondering a pilgrimage to Linz for the beatification. If you have any interest in these projects, please let us know (staff@catholicpeacefellowship.org.)

And now, let us pray:

Lord Jesus Christ, You filled your servant Franz Jagerstatter with a deep love for you, his family and all people. During a time of contempt for God and humankind you bestowed on him unerring discernment and integrity. In faith, he followed his conscience, and said a decisive NO to national socialism and unjust war. Thus he sacrificed his life. We pray that you may glorify your servant Franz, so that many people may be encouraged by him and grow in love for you and all people. May his example shine out in our time, and may you grant all people the strength to stand up for justice, peace and human dignity. For yours is the glory and honour with the Father and the Holy Spirit now and forever. Amen. (Diocese of Linz, Austria).

To read more about the life and witness of Franz Jagerstatter, click here.