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Blessed Clemens August Count Von Galen-March 22-St. of the Day. Catholic Sermons Defying the Nazis 2 of 10 Button36 Jul 20, 2008 THREE SERMONS IN DEFIANCE OF THE NAZIS By Blessed Clemens August Count …More
Blessed Clemens August Count Von Galen-March 22-St. of the Day.
Catholic Sermons Defying the Nazis 2 of 10
Button36 Jul 20, 2008
THREE SERMONS IN DEFIANCE OF THE NAZIS
By
Blessed Clemens August Count Von Galen
Bishop of Munster, Germany
During the Third Reich (Nazi Germany) Portrayed by Cal Beisang. In these sermons, Bishop von Galen takes on the Nazis, exposing what they did to innocent German citizens, the Catholic orders, the mentally ill, the old and infirm and how the government was usurping the role of parents in raising children. There was swift retribution for these sermons. Reichsleiter Bormann advised to Hitler that the Bishop should be taken into custody and be hanged. But, they feared that they'd have to deal with the remainder of the Catholic population in the diocese of Munster. Instead, they attacked those close to the Bishop. Twenty-four secular priests and 13 members of the regular clergy were deported into concentration camps. Ten lost their lives. Even a so-called …More
Irapuato
DAILY GOSPEL
«LORD, TO WHOM SHALL WE GO? YOU HAVE THE WORDS OF ETERNAL LIFE.» JOHN
6,68
TUESDAY, 22 MARCH 2011
TUESDAY OF THE SECOND WEEK OF LENT
Saint(s) of the day : Bl. Cardinal august von Galen, Bishop
(1933-1946) [1]
See commentary below or click here
The Imitation of Christ: "Whoever humbles himself will be exalted"
[2]
HOLY GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST ACCORDING TO SAINT MATTHEW 23,1-12.
Jesus …More
DAILY GOSPEL
«LORD, TO WHOM SHALL WE GO? YOU HAVE THE WORDS OF ETERNAL LIFE.» JOHN
6,68
TUESDAY, 22 MARCH 2011
TUESDAY OF THE SECOND WEEK OF LENT
Saint(s) of the day : Bl. Cardinal august von Galen, Bishop
(1933-1946) [1]
See commentary below or click here
The Imitation of Christ: "Whoever humbles himself will be exalted"
[2]
HOLY GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST ACCORDING TO SAINT MATTHEW 23,1-12.
Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples,
saying, "The scribes and the Pharisees have taken their seat on the
chair of Moses.
Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do
not follow their example. For they preach but they do not practice.
They tie up heavy burdens (hard to carry) and lay them on people's
shoulders, but they will not lift a finger to move them.
All their works are performed to be seen. They widen their
phylacteries and lengthen their tassels.
They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues,
greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation 'Rabbi.'
As for you, do not be called 'Rabbi.' You have but one teacher, and
you are all brothers.
Call no one on earth your father; you have but one Father in heaven.
Do not be called 'Master'; you have but one master, the Messiah.
The greatest among you must be your servant.
Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself
will be exalted.
Copyright © Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, USCCB [3]
Commentary of the day :
The Imitation of Christ, spiritual treatise of the 15th century
II, 2 On submitting ourselves humbly to others (trans. Ronald Knox)
"WHOEVER HUMBLES HIMSELF WILL BE EXALTED"
Don't think it a matter of great importance whether So-and-so agrees
with you or disagrees with you; act in such a way as to make sure,
whatever you are doing, that God is on your side. As long as you have
a clear conscience, God will keep you clear of harm ... Not a doubt of
it, if you will make up your mind to suffer in silence, you will find
that he comes to your aid; he knows just when and how to bring you
deliverance; you have only to put yourself in his hands. How you are
to get out of this or that difficulty, this or that embarrassing
situation, is God's business, not yours.
After all, what harm can it do, other people knowing about your
weaknesses and taxing you with them? Often it's the best possible
thing for you; it helps to keep you humble.
If a man will only be humble about his own shortcomings, how little
it takes to disarm ill-feeling, how little it costs to put things
right!
It's humble people God protects and preserves, God loves and comforts;
he stoops down and gives his grace lavishly, raising the humble man to
heights of glory, as soon as neglect has done its work. Such a man he
chooses for his confidant, beckons to him gently and calls him apart.
Only a humble man takes it calmly when he is put to the blush; what
does it matter? It is God, not the world, that gives him countenance.
Never think that you have made any progress, till you have learned to
regard all men as your betters.
Irapuato
Catholic Sermons Defying the Nazis 2 of 10
THREE SERMONS IN DEFIANCE OF THE NAZIS
By
Blessed Clemens August Count Von Galen
Bishop of Munster, Germany
During the Third Reich (Nazi Germany)
Portrayed by Cal Beisang.
In these sermons, Bishop von Galen takes on the Nazis, exposing what they did to innocent German citizens, the Catholic orders, the mentally ill, the old and infirm and how the government …More
Catholic Sermons Defying the Nazis 2 of 10

THREE SERMONS IN DEFIANCE OF THE NAZIS
By
Blessed Clemens August Count Von Galen
Bishop of Munster, Germany
During the Third Reich (Nazi Germany)

Portrayed by Cal Beisang.

In these sermons, Bishop von Galen takes on the Nazis, exposing what they did to innocent German citizens, the Catholic orders, the mentally ill, the old and infirm and how the government was usurping the role of parents in raising children.

There was swift retribution for these sermons. Reichsleiter Bormann advised to Hitler that the Bishop should be taken into custody and be hanged. But, they feared that they'd have to deal with the remainder of the Catholic population in the diocese of Munster. Instead, they attacked those close to the Bishop. Twenty-four secular priests and 13 members of the regular clergy were deported into concentration camps. Ten lost their lives.

Even a so-called democracy can lose its way. Those in great positions of power should always be held accountable by their constituency through a stable system of checks and balances founded upon a constitution that upholds the Natural and Positive Divine Laws.
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March 22: Blessed Clemens August von Galen: The Lion of Munster
Feb 10, 2011 Theresa Doyle-Nelson
Clemens August von Galen
Clemens August von Galen was born in 1878 in the German region of Westphalia to a highly devout Catholic German family of nobility. Clemens was ordained a priest at the age of 26 and was made the Bishop of Munster in 1933 – just when the Nazi regime was gaining power in Germany. …More
March 22: Blessed Clemens August von Galen: The Lion of Munster

Feb 10, 2011 Theresa Doyle-Nelson
Clemens August von Galen
Clemens August von Galen was born in 1878 in the German region of Westphalia to a highly devout Catholic German family of nobility. Clemens was ordained a priest at the age of 26 and was made the Bishop of Munster in 1933 – just when the Nazi regime was gaining power in Germany.
Bishop von Galen had been quite wary of National Socialism. He read much literature on their ideas and frequently felt ill-at-ease with their developments. Von Galen began voicing concerns and writing pastorals, which in turn created tension between the good bishop and the National Socialists.

Read more at Suite101: Blessed Clemens August von Galen: The Lion of Munster www.suite101.com/content/blessed-clemens…
The Summer of 1941
It was during the summer of 1941 that the friction between von Galen and the Nazis peaked. After a week of stressful bombings coupled with the Gestapo exploiting nuns and priests, the 63-year-old bishop felt compelled to step up his protests in a big way. He went to his typewriter and using his one-finger system of typing, unknowingly began the process of producing his “Three Sermons” that would profoundly undermine the Nazi regime.
The First Sermon: A Denunciation of the Gestapo
On the morning of July 13, 1941, Bishop von Galen rose to the pulpit of Saint Lambert’s Church in Munster – knowing he was facing possible death over the sermon he was about to preach. Then, he fiercely pointed out a variety of malicious deeds performed by the Gestapo and sternly accused them of abusing their authority, causing undue distress to the people of Germany. Von Galen forcefully called for a true justice for all in Germany.

The Second Sermon: The Hammer and the Anvil
Read on
White Rose Student Group of WW II
Humani Generis Unitas and the Jews
Claus von Stauffenberg
One week later, on July 20, at Uberwasser Church (also in Munster), the wise Bishop compared the multitudes of God-fearing Germans to anvils being struck by the hammer of National Socialism. He said that the youth of Germany were the objects being shaped between the hammer and the anvil. Von Galen reminded the listeners that the anvil gives as much force to an object being shaped as the hammer, so parents and elders were implored to do everything possible to shape the youth of Germany into good people, despite the efforts of the Nazis. Von Galen reminded all that in the end, the hammer almost always breaks before the anvil.
The Third Sermon: Condemning Euthanasia Practices
Bishop von Galen had been told of some covert euthanasia practices taking place with those labeled by the Nazis as “unproductive” (mentally ill, etc.). On August 3, 1941, Bishop von Galen informed the parishioners at St. Lambert’s of these vicious practices, how multitudes of mentally ill/challenged patients were being deemed as useless, taken away under false pretenses, and then killed. The insightful bishop warned of future possibilities if these immoral actions were to become acceptable – many more people would become at risk: the aged, infirmed, and even soldiers injured while selflessly defending their country. The bishop strongly urged the people at the over-flowing church that Sunday morning to pray, do penance, and beg for God’s mercy upon Germany.
Hundreds of Thousands of Copies
Others who were opposed to the tyranny of Hitler had these three sermons secretly copied by the hundreds of thousands. They were spread throughout Germany and beyond. Hitler was infuriated. Those caught distributing copies of the sermons were killed and von Galen’s death was planned for having damaged the Third Reich so severely. Yet, the Fuhrer was forced to be cautious due to the bishop’s immense popularity.
Von Galen continued to work to ease the suffering of his countrymen through the remainder of the war. He endured more bombings, an uncomfortable relocation, and ever-increasing threats.
Cardinal Clemens August von Galen
By mid-December, 1945, the war had ended in Germany and to the surprise of all, it was announced that Bishop von Galen was to be appointed a Cardinal! The post-war distress seemed to disappear in much of Germany for a while as joyful elation spread over this news. Two months later, in February of 1946, the Cardinal-elect von Galen received a joyous welcome in Rome. During the public consistory (a ceremony to help mark the creation of new Cardinals), ALL assembled in St. Peter’s Basilica burst into a thunderous applause as the “Lion of Munster” (von Galen) processed down the aisle.
Before returning to Germany, this new Cardinal and caring shepherd made visits to all captive Germans in the POW camps in southern Italy. He brought to them expressions of kindness and encouragement, which greatly lifted their spirits.
The Sudden Death of Cardinal von Galen
On March 16, 1946 (his 68th birthday), the new Cardinal returned to Munster to a loving crowd of thousands; however, when the Cardinal went to his home that evening, he was feeling rather ill. Unfortunately, acute appendicitis along with intestinal paralysis had begun to set in. On March 22, the Cardinal spent his last few conscious hours praying for his much loved Germany and then passed away, leaving behind a stunned and deeply saddened flock. Due to his brave works in the face of Nazism, in 1956, canonization proceedings began and on October 9, 2005, Cardinal Clemens August von Galen was beatified.
Related to the Cardinal?
My mother and I never were able to make an official connection with this Cardinal. Eventually, we decided that it didn’t really matter, for we learned a great deal from Blessed Clemens August von Galen and feel like better people just for knowing about his life – whether we are related or not.
Canonization
Those with knowledge of any reason to promote the canonization of Blessed Clemens August von Galen, may contact:
Dr. Andrea Ambrosi
Bistum Munster
Domplatz 27
Munster, Germany


Read more at Suite101: Blessed Clemens August von Galen: The Lion of Munster www.suite101.com/content/blessed-clemens…