March 22 Blessed Clemens August von Galen.

Also known as

Lion of Münster

Memorial

22 March

Profile

Born to one of the oldest German noble families. Ordained on 28 May 1904 at Münster, Germany. Chosen bishop of Münster on 5 September 1933. Fiercely anti-Communist, and an outspoken opponent of the Stalinist regime. A strong nationalist who loved his homeland, his was known for his opposition to the Nazis, their programs and policies. He was a key opponent in the fight to end the Nazi program of “euthanasia“, the murder of the old, the crippled, the ill. Created Cardinal–Priest of San Bernardo alle Terme on 18 February 1946.

Born

16 March 1878 at Dinklage Castle, Lower Saxony, Germany

Died

22 March 1946 at Münster, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany of natural causes
interred in the cathedral of Münster

Venerated

20 December 2003 by Pope John Paul II (decree of heroic virtues)

Beatified

9 October 2005 by Pope Benedict XVI
recognition celebrated by Cardinal Saraiva Martins at Saint Peter’s Basilica, Rome, Italy
the beatification miracle involved Hendrikus Nahak, a 16-year old Indonesian whose life was threatened by a particularly dangerous form of appendicitis in 1995 who was healed after his nurse called on Cardinal von Galen to intercede on the boy‘s behalf
Four Sermons in Defiance of the Nazis
Hagiography Circle
Sermon Against Euthanasia, by Blessed Clemens, 3 August 1941
Sermon Against the Gestapo, by Blessed Clemens, 13 July 1941
nec laudibus, nec timore (neither praise nor fear) – Blessed Clemens’ motto for his ministry
catholicsaints.info/blessed-clemens…