Blessed Titus Brandsma: Carmelite Scholar, Priest, and Martyr

1881 - 1942

Memorial - July 27th

"We are here in a dark tunnel but we have to go on. At the end, the eternal light is shining for us."

Blessed Titus Brandsma, a professor and one time Rector of the Catholic University of Nijmegen, in Holland , died on July 26th, 1942 by lethal injection in Dachau, one of the Nazis' most brutal concentration camps. A fellow prisoner said of him, "He radiated with cheerful courage."

The guards at Dachua where proud of their reputation as merciless tormentors of the prisoners there. They were especially cruel to Titus, possibly because his gentle courageous manner infuriated them. They often beat him with clubs. His fellow prisoners described how they kicked him and tore his flesh, often leaving him bloody and "nearly unconscious in the mud" on the streets of the camp.

Without fail, however, Titus continually encouraged the prisoners: "Do not yield to hatred. Be patient. We are here in a dark tunnel but we have to go on. At the end, the eternal light is shining for us."

On one occasion, Titus was able to secretly receive a consecrated Host in a tobacco pouch from another inmate. A guard, who caught sight of him as he was returning to his barracks went into an insane rage, supposedly because Titus had been careless in mopping the kitchen floor. The guard seized Titus, beat him and when he fell, the guard stomped on him until Titus became semi-conscious. After prisoners helped the priest to his bunk, an inmate sought to comfort him. His response was, "Thank you, brother, but don't have pity on me, I have Jesus with me in the Eucharist."

The beautiful writings of Blessed Titus Brandsma on the value and sacredness of suffering are reflected most clearly in his own life and death. He died at the hands of Nazi doctors, an object of medical experimentation.

He was beatified by Pope John Paul II on November 3, 1985.

Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Community, OCDS - Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites, Hudson, NH