Displaying items by tag: Titus Brandsma

A conference on Titus Brandsma will take place at Radboud University in Nijmegen, Netherlands on October 3-6, 2023. The program brings together scholars from various parts of the world who will present on the multi-faceted life and work of Brandsma. The number of participants is limited to 30, providing an opportunity for all to become involved in the discussions.

The cost of the conference is free. Travel to the Titus Brandsma Memorial and to the Titus Brandsma Archives in Boxmeer will be Included at no cost. Participants are responsible for their individual travel, accommodations, and all meals. Conference organizers can make hotel recommendations. There is a celebratory dinner on October 6 for those who wish to participate. The cost is 60,00 euro.

Those interested in more information or those wanting to register should contact Dr. Elisabeth Hense, the conference coordinator: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

On February 15, Fernando Millán Romeral, O. Carm., spoke on “Titus Brandsma: Ethical Resistance in Turbulent Time” at the Loyola Institute of Trinity College in Dublin. The conference was cohosted by the Irish Province of the Carmelite Order.

Fr. Fernando is a noted expert on Titus Brandsma and has written a number of articles and one book on the new saint. He has also given conferences to groups in various parts of the world. The Dublin conference drew an audience of 150 people.

St Titus, a Carmelite of the Dutch Province, was noted for his resistance to the Nazis. He was arrested and transported to Dachau concentration camp, where he died in 1942. He was canonized in May 2022.

During his talk, Fr. Fernando’s drew attention to different aspects of the saint's life: as an academic administrator, helping to found a university; as a commentator on Carmelite mysticism, as a journalist; and as someone with passionate interest in drawing people together. His own physical frailty contrasted with the steadfast courage which he showed in the face of evil.

Fr. Fernando is a professor of theology at Comillas Pontifical University in Madrid. He is also the director of the Institute of Spirituality at the University.

The presentation is available online on YouTube here.

Father Adriaan Staring, O. Carm., as postulator general of the Carmelite Order, was responsible for obtaining reliable and relevant documents to be used in the process of canonization of Titus Brandsma. These historically reliable documents were to be used to prove Fr. Titus’ martyrdom. Better than all testimonies, these documents offer us insight into the Nazi persecutor's and Titus Brandsma's own views on matters of faith and Titus Brandsma's acceptance of martyrdom. Fr. Staring was particularly struck by the 'happy coincidence or providence,' that many important documents survived the war and its aftermath. Here is a summary from his account of the miraculous journey of these documents. It concerns three different files.

1. The File of the Sicherheitspolizei

The file, Kirchliche Presse, contains documents outlining the activities of Titus Brandsma: the letters from Archbishop De Jong and his secretary Mr. Giese to Father Titus; the interrogation of Fr. Titus on January 21, 1942; the verdict of the “judge” of instruction of Hardegen and two reports on the matter. By the end of 1944, the Sicherheitsdienst had built an oven in Glanerbrug in which all documents from their archives in The Hague and other places were burned.

Carmelite Brocardus Meijer testified in the trial: “The deeds of his condemnation were confiscated by the partisans and sent to me and to the archbishop, who kept the originals, while copies were sent by me to the various newspapers.” But how did these documents reach Brocardus Meijer?

The Rev. Lambertus Smeets, rector of the Zenderen Grammar School, wrote to his provincial on June 19, 1945: “Mr Hilbrink in Zenderen, a member of the Dutch Internal Defense Forces, whose house the Krauts blew up, killing his father and brother, is in possession of the file of the S.S. concerning the accusations, etc., against Titus Brandsma. The Krauts left these papers behind when they left.”

Later, another official copy of the same file (however not a complete copy), was obtained from the office of the Sicherheitsdienst in Amsterdam. At the request of the Underground, this office was bombed and destroyed by the English on November 26, 1944, while the Underground themselves, acting as “firemen,” brought the documents out, saving them.

2. Documents about Fr. Titus’ Imprisonment

This file contains the letters of Titus Brandsma, his diary of the first days, his statement of his defense entitled “Why the Dutch People, Especially the Catholic Population, Resist the N.S.B. (the Dutch Nazi party), a meditation on the Stations of the Cross, a life of Saint Teresa, his lecture from Good Friday in Amersfoort, his poem written in Scheveningen, a report on the state of his health, some letters from Archbishop De Jong and from his cousin, the lawyer Brandsma, a doctor's certificate, condolences and witness statements about his imprisonment. These documents shed light on the feelings with which Father Titus accepted his imprisonment.

After the death of Father Titus, his cousin, Mr. Assuerus Brandsma, wrote to the Dachau concentration campe, requesting that Fr. Titus' personal belongings be returned. In fact, they were actually sent back, including the writings from his imprisonment. This happened just in time. A short time later, during a bombing of the S.S. barracks on the night of October 3-4, 1942, a firebomb fell on the prison camp's clothing warehouse. The possessions of 30,000 prisoners stored there were destroyed. The prior of Nijmegen, Father Verhallen, kept this file in his room together with the letters of Father Titus and the witness statements.

3. Saved by the Gestapo

On February 22, 1944 Nijmegen was bombed. The Carmelite house, where Titus had lived, was hit but did not burn down. On July 13, 1944, during a search of the house for something totally unrelated, the Nazi police discovered these documents of Father Titus in the prior’s room. This aroused their interest. Although Father Verhallen told them that these had been sent back tot he Carmelites by the Gestapo, they took everything with them.

On September 17, 1944 the battle for Arnhem started. The City of Nijmegen was deeply involved in this battle. The Germans retreated into Nijmegen and on September 18,  the Carmelites were given 20 minutes to evacuate the monastery. It was then set on fire by the Germans and totally destroyed. But the documents of Titus Brandsma had already been confiscated by the police.

A Spirit So Pious, So Holy

A few days after May 5, 1945, the prior in Nijmegen, Fr. Verhallen, heard that a well-known lawyer, Mr. van Velzen, connected to the court of appeal in Den Bosch, was in possession of this file. Van Velzen, by request of the Diocese of Roermond, had worked to aid some of the clergymen who had been arrested. This is how he knew Professoor Nelis, the sucessor to the Nazi intergator, Hardegen. In the critical days of September 1944, van Velzen visited him in his villa at Zeist. During that meeting, Professor Nelis was called to the telephone. He returned a little later, pale and shocked. “We have to leave,” he said. “We now have strict instructions to burn everything.” He brought out a pile of files. “I can burn all this because it is all rubbish, but there is one that is something special. It expresses a spirit so pious, so holy, that I shy away from burning it. I gather from the file that they are trying to have him canonized. I don't know what to do with it, I can't keep it and I'm afraid to destroy it.” Mr. van Velzen offered to take it with him and hid it at his home under the carpet, where it remained until the south was liberated. He handed everything over to Fr. Verhallen.

Although these do not relate to the resistance and martyrdom of Titus Brandsma, they are of great value to our knowledge of who he was, his activities, and his commitment to Dutch mysticism. In the process of canonization, they comprise 136 volumes. They were located in Father Titus' study, which was sealed by the Siecherheitspolizei on January 19, 1942. After the house search on June 13, 1944, these writings were taken to safety. The seals of the room were broken and everything was taken to Boxmeer, where an industrialist, Mr. Hendriks, stored them in the refrigerators of his factory. For most of the winter of 1944-1945, Boxmeer lay on the war front like a “no man’s land:” under the Americans by day, under the Germans by night. The residents were evacuated, their property looted, but the writings of Titus Brandsma remained unharmed and were returned after the war.

All these documents are now in the Dutch Carmelite Institute. Through miraculous ways they have been preserved: happy coincidence or providence?

Father Adriaan Staring, O. Carm., as postulator general of the Carmelite Order, was responsible for obtaining reliable and relevant documents to be used in the process of canonization of Titus Brandsma.

Is for me a sign that monastic life and work can reach far beyond its walls and that mysticism and knowledge (science) do not contradict each other but can cross-fertilize each other. Both are for me the basis for acting sincerely according to my conscience, following the example of Titus Brandsma.

Titus Brandsma had been active far and wide as a Carmelite, scientist, writer and journalist in the Netherlands. I see in his work a lived mysticism until his death in Dachau. We Carmelites strive to live the rich tradition and spirituality of our religious saints. The union with God and the proclamation of peace and love was realized by Fr. Titus in his life. We too can proclaim the Kingdom of God, especially through our presence here at the concentration camp memorial. We want to be open to the needs in the world and the concerns of the people. Titus Brandsma encourages us to do so.

Titus Brandsma ended his last report on the responsibility of his resistance against National Socialism with the wish for peace: "God bless the Netherlands, God bless Germany. God grant that both peoples may soon again stand side by side in full peace and freedom, in the recognition of God and for His glory, for the salvation and welfare of both so closely related peoples." That's all it takes to see how relevant Titus Brandsma is to my praying and working in this place, as brother nations are once again at war with each other.

For me, in this time of crisis, Titus Brandsma has become a patron of independent and honest journalists in Russia. Despite persecution and death threats, he stood up for the freedom of expression of the press and gave his life for it. He is a sign of hope and a role model. We will call on him for guidance for all journalists who act according to their conscience despite repression.

His courage is a question to me whether I also follow my conscience.

I see Titus Brandsma as a role model. He encourages me to speak out my requests before God and to include in my prayers precisely those people whom I most desire God's closeness and help. To accept everything unpleasant in everyday life, to deal sincerely with myself and others, to live consciously in this place of Dachau, to remember the innocently maltreated. That is important to me.

What had a lasting influence on my encounter with Titus Brandsma was his beatification in Rome on November 3, 1985. On Nov. 5, we experienced a large group of pilgrims from Holland who, on their way back, prayed and celebrated the Eucharist in Dachau at the place of his suffering and death. Among the pilgrims was also his niece, with whom I was able to speak for a longer time. Suddenly Blessed Titus was one of us, it was felt very clearly. Friendships were formed between our brothers and sisters OCarm. Since then I have read to know him more.

The friendship with and through Fr. Titus, which unites us with our sisters and brothers worldwide, makes me happy and grateful.

For all of us, the annual meetings with the Dutch Carmel Family remain in vivid memory. Besides the meetings, it was standing together in front of Block 26 that became a place of remembrance of Titus, where he was so close to us.  We heard the prayers and songs in his language, we were one in thanksgiving and in remembering him as sisters and brothers in his spirit.  Whenever there is an occasion for us to gather in front of Block 26, Titus is there.

When I re-meditate the life of Fr.Titus Brandsma, it always gathers me in my daily prayer and work.

He has united the spirituality of the Carmelite parent order with the Teresian, the confessions of the different Christian churches in ecumenism and God with the world.He has pointed out that mysticism is a viable path for all people in all places in everyday life because "the presence of God is always present within. "He has been able to respond to the hatred of his tormentors with love because he said, "They, too, are children of the kind God, and who knows if something won't stick to them?" (Sources: Titus Brandsma, O. Carm, Martyrs at Dachau, Georg Geisbauer.  Fiery Arrow, Encountering God in the Abyss).

The Discalced Carmelite Nuns of the Monastery of Helig Blut

Dachau, Germany

Is for me a sign that monastic life and work can reach far beyond its walls and that mysticism and knowledge (science) do not contradict each other but can cross-fertilize each other.

Marija Belošević is the current president of the Internazionale Union of Cattolica Esperantists (IKUE) which counted Fr. Titus Brandsma of Oss, Netherlands, among its early members.

Marija Belošević is the current president of the Internazionale Union of Cattolica Esperantists (IKUE) which counted Fr. Titus Brandsma of Oss, Netherlands, among its early members. Aware of Fr. Titus’ upcoming canonization, Mrs. Belošević has been using digitized records and magazines from IKUE to research Fr. Titus’ connection to the language of Esperanto and to her Catholic organization which promotes it. Her research indicates that the Dutch professor was very involved with Esperanto earlier than previously thought.

Today’s very international city of Aia in the Netherlands hosted the Second Congress of the International Association of Catholic Esperantists on August 14-18, 1911. During that congress, a work group was formed to draw up an ecclesiastical (theological) dictionary in the Esperanto language. In the list of the 12 members of the work group is the name of Titus Brandsma.^[1]

Naturally, the largest number of the members of this work group were professors and pastors in the Catholic Church. It is worth noting that the work group for the dictionary contains names of a number of experts in the Esperanto language. Most of these were active before the First Congress of the organization. That Congress was held in Paris in 1910 with some of the pioneers of the Esperanto movement attending.

It was already known that Fr. Titus celebrated a Mass in Esperanto in 1913. It was long thought that this liturgical celebration was his first activity in the Catholic Esperanto movement. However, this recent research by Mrs. Belošević proves that he started at least two years earlier, in the first half of 1911 or perhaps even before.

Studying old copies of the magazines Espero Katolika and Nederlanda katoliko, which are now digitized, Marija Belošević found a list of new members up to July 15, 1911 [Nederlanda Katoliko (n. 8/1911)]. In the section “Ordinary New Members” there is the listing for “Pro. Dr. Titus Brandsma, Klooster der Karmelieten, Oss.”

The name of the Carmelite saint is also found in the 1926 annual, the first of the group’s annual publications, as well as in those of 1928, and 1931/1932. His name is also listed in the annuals of the organization for 1937 and 1938.

The 1911 listing is the first known mention of Fr. Titus in connection to the Association of Catholic Esperantists. When one became a member of the Dutch Association one automatically became a member of the International Association of Catholic Esperantists.

The Internazionale Union of Cattolica Esperantists (Internacia Katolika Unuigo Esperantista in Esperanto) is a lay organization of the Catholic Church with an office in Rome. It strives to apply Christian ideals to everyday life and the spread the Gospel by means of Esperanto. The organization takes as its charge the command given in the Gospel of Mark: “Go out to the whole world; proclaim the Gospel to all creation.” (Mk 16:15)

There is a similar organization for Protestant Christians, Kristana Esperantista Ligo Internacia (KELI). The language Esperanto has many ties with the Christian Churches. The first book translated into Esperanto was the Old Testament. The magazine Espero Katolika (Catholic Hope) first appeared in 1903.

The Catholic Church continues to be closely networked with the movement as well. Pope John Paul II used Esperanto as one of the languages in his annual Urbi et Orbi blessing. Vatican Radio continues broadcasting programs in Esperanto regularly. Catholic or Ecumenical International Congresses are held almost every year. Because it is an officially recognized liturgical language, Catholic religious services continue to be held in Esperanto.

The first issue in 2018 of the Carmelite journal The Sword, Fr. Fernando Millán Romeral, O. Carm., the co-vice postulator for Fr. Titus Brandsma’s cause for canonization, published an article on Blessed Titus and the Esperanto language. The article explores the origins of the language as well as Fr. Titus’ promotion of its use and its value to him.

In recognition of the canonization of its famous member, the IKUE is preparing a prayer card with the official prayer for the canonization in Esperanto.

 ^[1] Questa informazione l’ho trovata  nella rivista "Espero Katolika" n. 78/1911.

Sankta Titus Brandsma Carmelite  Preĝo

 Dio de paco kaj justeco,
malfermu niajn korojn al amo
kaj al la ĝojo de la Evangelio
eĉ meze de sennombraj formoj de perforto
kiuj subpremas la dignon de niaj fratoj kaj fratinoj,
plenigu nin per Via graco,
por ke, samkiel sankta Titus Brandsma,
tenere, povu ni vidi preter la hororoj de malhomeco
kaj  kontempli vian gloron
kiu brilas en la martiroj de ĉiu epoko,
kaj tiel iĝi viaj aŭtentaj atestantoj en la nuna mondo.

Amen 

(traduzione: Marija Belošević)

Download the Prayer in Esperanto here

Writings of St. Titus Brandsma during his imprisonment have been translated into English and gathered together in the third volume of the multi-volume series The Collected Works of Titus Brandsma. (Eight letter written to family, confrères, colleagues, and collaborators were already published in vol 2 of the series.) This attractively printed volume is now available for purchase at Edizioni Carmelitane and other webstores on the internet.

Included in this volume:

            A reply to an official question posed to St. Titus by his captors;

            Consolatory sayings he remembered in this dark time;

            A timetable that he gave himself in order to cope with the lonely days;

            Reviews on two books that he had taken with him;

            The biography of Teresa of Avila which he had wanted to write for many years;

            A Way of the Cross for the new Stations of the Cross in Dokkum;

            Two poems;

            Notes for lectures on Geert Grote and John Brugman;

            A petition to the German Sicherheitsdienst (Nazi Security Service);

Also included are short biographies of other Carmelites who were in Dachau with Titus and information about other religious or diocesans who were martyrs. There is also an exposition of how World War II affected Carmelite life around the world.

Finally there are various articles on aspects of St. Teresa of Avila’s life, a woman who greatly influenced Fr. Titus.

This 485 page book is available for 47.00 euro from Edizioni Carmelitane. It will be available as an ebook soon.

According to the latest issue of America, a monthly magazine published by the American Jesuits, Pope Francis has expressed “full support” for naming St. Titus Brandsma “a patron of journalists.” The pope’s statement came in response to a request by Mr. Van Lierde and three Dutch journalists during an interview. On May 15, 2023^, the Church will be celebrating the 1st anniversary of Titus’ canonization by Pope Francis at St. Peter’s Square in Rome.

During a press conference organized by the Order’s Communications Office and held days prior to the canonization of St. Titus, a Dutch journalist asked Míceál O’Neill, the prior general, for his support in the efforts to have Brandsma named patron of journalists. He presented the prior general with a letter to Pope Francis from Catholic journalists accredited to the Vatican.

The letter outlined reasons why the newly canonized St. Titus should be designated as patron of journalists. Part of the letter says “you will canonize a man who embodied these crucial journalistic values until his dying day ...” The journalists recall the 2018 admonition of Pope Francis for journalists “to promote a journalism of peace,” a “journalism that is truthful and opposed to falsehoods, rhetorical slogans, and sensational headlines. A journalism created by people for people, one that is at the service of all, (…) a journalism committed to pointing out alternatives to the escalation of shouting matches and verbal violence.”

Later in the letter the journalists write that they see St. Titus as a friend and advocate for the entire profession, indeed a patron saint of journalism.

Emmanuel Van Lierde is the former editor in chief of Tertio, a Belgian Christian weekly. The pope gave the interview on Dec. 19, 2022, two days after he celebrated his 86th birthday and a day after Argentina won the World Cup. The text of the interview now appears in Dutch in a book reviewing the 10-year pontificate of the pope written by Mr. Van Lierde. The book is entitled Paus Franciscus: De conservatieve revolutionair (Pope Francis: The conservative revolutionary) as well as in the weekly Tertio.