Feast of Blessed Titus Brandsma

Tuesday, July 27, 2021 - 09:15

Today, we remember the Carmelite martyr Blessed Titus Brandsma on his Feast.

He was born as Anno Sjoerd Brandsma in Bolsward (The Netherlands) in 1881, and joined the Carmelite Order in 1898 taking the name ‘Titus’, eventually being ordained a priest in 1905. In time he became a professor and then Rector Magnificus at the Catholic University of Nijmegen. He was also a journalist.

During the 1930s he gave a famous series of lectures in the United States on Carmelite mysticism. Throughout the 1930s Nazi propaganda was on the rise but Fr Titus refused to support or print anything in support of the Nazi regime.

Fr Titus was arrested by the Gestapo on January 19, 1942, and imprisoned in his native country before being sent to the concentration camp at Dachau where he brought comfort and peace to his fellow prisoners. In Dachau he was experimented on in the medical wing and was finally put to death by lethal injection on July 26, 1942.

He was beatified in 1985 and the cause for his canonisation continues..

The prayer for his canonisation reads:

“Loving God, your servant Titus Brandsma, laboured zealously in your vineyard and gave his life freely because of his faith in you. Through his intercession I ask for your mercy and help. Father, Titus never refused when he was asked for help by your people. In his name, I come to you with my needs [Mention requests]. Lord, help me always to imitate the great faith, generous love, and burning zeal of Titus Brandsma. Glorify your servant as he wished to glorify you. Amen. Mary, Mother of Carmel, pray for us. Titus Brandsma, Carmelite and Martyr, pray for us. Amen.”

Blessed Titus is now on the road to canonisation, please see the letter below.

Blessed Titus Brandsma, pray for us. Saint Jude, pray for us.

Resources:

Our photo shows the icon of Titus at the National Shrine of Saint Jude.