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Page 4 • Faith Today
CHILDREN'S STORY HOUR
World War II Martyr
Titus Brandsma
By Janaan Manternach
NC News Service
It was evening and the sun was
setting slowly over the monastery
in Holland. Father Titus heard a
loud banging on the monastery
door. He went to open it. He felt
a tremor of fear as he opened the
heavy door. Three Nazi Gestapo
officers stood there with guns.
This was at the time of the Se
cond World War.
“We have orders to arrest
Father Titus Brandsma,’’ the chief
officer said coldly.
“I am Father Titus,” the priest
answered. The officers allowed
him to say goodbye to his
superior. The superior blessed him
and Father Titus left the
monastery under heavy guard.
“Imagine my going to jail at the
age of 60,” he said with a smile
to the arresting officer.
“You should not have spoken
out against us,” the man answered
with a smile.
“I could have done nothing dif
ferently,” the priest said.
“You are a saboteur, an
enemy,” the officer charged.
Father Titus had spoken out, urg
ing Catholic papers to reject Nazi
propaganda. He defended Catholic
schools too, refusing to have
Jewish children dismissed from
them as the Nazis wanted.
Father Titus was taken to prison
and locked in a cell. The scholarly
priest, a member of the Carmelite
religious order, spent his time in
prayer and study. “I am happy,”
he wrote in a letter to his
superior.
But then he was moved to a
worse prison. He and the other
prisoners were forced to work all
day chopping down trees. They
had little to eat. Many became
sick and died. Others were shot.
Prisoners who were released
told their friends about Father
Titus. “He often gives some of his
little food to other starving
prisoners,” one remembered. “I
was touched by his special care
for Jews,” confessed another.
Father Titus quietly encouraged
his fellow prisoners. He secretly
heard their confessions and led
them in prayer. He asked them to
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l Word Game J
+ +
J Read this week’s children’s story. *
J Then work the puzzle based on the story. The clues +
+ will help you fill in the blanks.
1. Country where Father
Titus lived.
2. Father Titus belonged
to what religious order?
3. Titus was taken to a
4. Concentration camp
where Titus was sent.
5. In prison, Titus was
especially kind to
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HOW ABOUT YOU?
□ Think of one word that you would use to describe Father Titus
Brandsma. The word “courageous” is one example. What is the word
you chose? Does your word refer to a quality that is valuable in Chris
tian life? Why?
Children's Reading Corner
In “Tread Softly,” a story by Corrine Gerson, Carol Ann Yates’
parents are killed in a car accident. She gets a job as a mothers’ helper
with a 3-year-old boy, Tommy. But when Carol tells Tommy’s mother
about her family, some of the information isn’t true and before she
knows it Carol Ann is caught in a web of untruths. When her grand
parents find out they approach the situation very wisely. This is a
compassionate story of a child who hasn’t fully accepted the loss
of her parents. (The Dial Press, 1 Dag Hammarskjold Plaza, New York,
N Y. 10017. 1979. Hardback, $7.95.)
forgive those who were
beating and starving them.
Finally the Gestapo decid
ed to punish Father Titus
even more severely. “We
have decided to move you
to Dachau,” the captain
told him. “You will stay
there until the end of the
war.”
Dachau was a horrible
concentration camp. Few
who went there ever came
back alive.
Forced to work hard long
hours each day, Father
Titus became very sick. But
he continued to think of
others. He shared whatever
he had with others and
continued to encourage
them not to lose faith. “Do
not give in to hatred,” he
whispered to them.
But, finally, the
courageous priest who
brought life and love to so
many was executed.
Not long ago he was declared a
martyr by the church and selected
A
“'V.
for beatification in November
1985.
(Ms. Manternach is the author
of catechetical works, scripture
stories and original stories for
children.)
Father
Viscaino —
A Leader In
Search
Of Leaders
Father Mario Viscaino directs the
Mobile Hispanic Ministry Team
throughout 21 dioceses in our
Southeastern states. He labors vi
gorously for the Church among His
panic Catholics. Because of the
shortage of Hispanic priests. Father
Mario tirelessly seeks potential lay
leaders in the community to encour
age religious instruction and devo
tion among unchurched and mi
grant Hispanics.
His leadership and zeal are bear
ing fruit because more people have
joined his growing ministerial
team. Many Hispanics who had left
the Catholic Church have begun to
return to it as a refuge where they
can find love and understanding.
Father Mario is one of several
Hispanic clergy and laity reaching
out to help their struggling people,
who are featured in the July issue
of EXTENSION Magazine. The
magazine regularly publishes in
spiring stories of people, who, as
true followers of Christ, devote and
fulfill their lives in His service.
Complete the coupon to receive a
t-ial subscription to EXTENSION
Magazine, at no charge. You can
also request quantity* copies of
“Catholic Hispanics in Special Fo
cus” for religious education and dis
cussion groups.
□ Please send me a Free Trial Subscription to EXTENSION Magazine.
□ Send copies of “Catholic Hispanics In Special Focus” quantity.
Name
State
The Catholic Church
EXTENSION Society
35 E. Wacker Drive, Room 400 • Chicago, Illinois 60601
FT 6658
* ‘ < V. r ;.
I t.'j V i I