Franz Jägerstätter was an Austrian Christian executed for his refusal to serve in the armies of the Third Reich. He was born out of wedlock in 1907 in the small town of St. Radegund (47:11 N 15:29 E), about 13 kilometers north of Graz. His natural father was killed in World War I. His mother married Herr Jägerstätter, a small farmer, who adopted Franz. After gaining a reputation as a rather wild young man, perhaps fathering an illegitimate child, Franz married and settled down to a typical peasant life.
In addition to his farm and household duties, Jägerstätter became sexton of the parish church, and was known for his diligent and devout service, particularly in refusing donations for conducting bereavement services, and for joining the bereaved as a fellow mourner. After taking up this work, he began to receive Holy Communion daily.
He also became known for his opposition to the Nazi regime, casting the only local vote against the Anschluss (the annexation of Austria by Germany in March 1938), eschewing the local taverns and political argument, but typically responding "Pfui Hitler" when greeted by a "Heil." He also engaged in long discussions with his cousin, a J--'s Witness, having strong theological disagreements, but gaining great respect for the J--'s Witnesses' stand against service to Hitler.
When Jägerstätter was called to active duty in the military, he sought counsel from at least three priests and his bishop. Each tried to counter his conscience and assure him that this military service was compatible with his Christianity. His earlier experiences left him with a great horror of lies and double-dealing, and Jägerstätter reconciled his church's advice of subservience to the governing authorities with his conscience by reporting to the induction center but refusing to serve. Imprisoned in Linz (48:19 N 14:18 E) and Berlin (53:32 N 13:25 E), he was convicted in a military trial and beheaded on August 9th, 1943. He was survived by his wife and three daughters, the eldest of whom was six. He also left behind a small and moving set of essays and letters from prison.
His sacrifice was uniformly regarded as foolish by his neighbors, and his story almost forgotten, but for a book written by an American, Gordon Zahn, who heard of Jägerstätter when researching the subject of German Roman Catholics' response to Hitler. This book, In Solitary Witness, influenced Daniel Ellsberg's decision to stand against the Vietnam War by bringing the Pentagon Papers to public attention. It is also the source for this report, and of the following quote, taken from one of Jägerstätter's last letters.
"Just as the man who thinks only of this world does everything possible to make life here easier and better, so must we, too, who believe in the eternal Kingdom, risk everything in order to receive a great reward there. Just as those who believe in National Socialism tell themselves that their struggle is for survival, so must we, too, convince ourselves that our struggle is for the eternal Kingdom. But with this difference: we need no rifles or pistols for our battle, but instead, spiritual weapons--and the foremost among these is prayer.... Through prayer, we continually implore new grace from God, since without God's help and grace it would be impossible for us to preserve the Faith and be true to His commandments...."Let us love our enemies, bless those who curse us, pray for those who persecute us. For love will conquer and will endure for all eternity. And happy are they who live and die in God's love."
