Franz Jägerstätter: Letters and Writings from Prison

by Franz Jägerstätter, Erna Putz (Editor), Robert A. Krieg (Translator)

Franz Jägerstätter, an Austrian farmer, a devoted husband and father, and a devout Catholic, was executed in 1943 as a result of his refusal to serve in the Nazi army. Before taking this stand Jägerstätter consulted both his pastor and his local bishop, who instructed him to do his duty to the fatherland and to obey the law, an instruction that violated his conscience. For many years Jägerstätter's solitary witness was honored by the Catholic peace movement, while viewed with discomfort by many of his fellow Austrians. Now, with his beatification in 2007, his witness has been embraced by the universal church. He stands as one of the great witnesses and martyrs of our time.
These writings, including correspondence between Franz and his wife Franziska and a series of reflections written in prison, represent the first English translation of Jägerstätter's writings. An introduction by Jim Forest and notes by the translator, Robert Krieg, set these writings in the context of Franz's life and times. His moving expression of faith and his unswerving obedience to conscience carry an urgent message for today: "Although people have accused me of criminal behavior and condemned me to death, be consoled knowing that in God's eyes not everything is criminal which the world perceives to be criminal."

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Religion, Biography, Spirituality, Theology, Catholic

280 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2009

Reviews

[Ryan Palczynski · Rating 5 out of 5]

"It is hard to see someone suffer, especially when one cannot help. And more especially when it is one's dearest wife. I ask you, dear Fani, if it is possible, write me often. Spiritual hardships are frequently harder than physical ones, and if one can speak or write a little about everything, then things can become easier for one's heart. We have shared many joys, and so we want also to do the same with suffering."

"Dear Fani, do not get discouraged even if it often seems that the Lord God has also forgotten us. It is not so. God wants only to test whether we constantly confess our belief even in suffering. It is indeed true that a person's character shows itself in suffering. God did not spare his beloved Son from this experience of abandonment. How much less it will be spared us! We must go courageously on the way of suffering whether we begin sooner or later. They may build many beautiful streets today, but they cannot change the way to heaven. This way will always remain rugged and rocky."

"True love does not ask about the boundaries of the obligation to love, but pardons others as often as it has the opportunity. Such opportunities occur every day in a family."

"Now I'll write down a few words as they come to me from my heart. Although I am writing them with my hands in chains, this is still much better than if my will were in chains."

"Now my dear children, when your mother reads you this letter, your father will already be dead. I would have gladly come to you, but the heavenly Father wanted it otherwise. Be well-behaved and obedient children. Pray for your father so that we shall see each other soon in heaven!"

[Corinne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has to be one of the most profound books I have ever read. I am tempted to stop there. But I won’t! Franz Jagerstatter was an uneducated, Austrian farmer in the Alps, eking out a living on a small farm with a wife and 3 children under age 5 when he was drafted into WWII to serve under Hitler. He refused to give his allegiance to Hitler and was ultimately beheaded in 1943, because of this act and his faith in Christ and the Catholic Church. The book is divided into 3 sections. His life story written by Jim Forest, an Orthodox Christian, his and his wife’s letters while he was in captivity and a series of thoughts he wrote while in prison. The first 2 sections were incredibly moving to me as you watch the inevitable looming death and the words spoken over his defiance which leaves the wife with a mother in law, 3 small children and the responsibilities of running a farm singlehanded. But she stood by her husband and when the Catholic Church granted beatification to him, many years later, she at age 94 was able to attend.
This courageous story of a couple and the hardships they endured after only 7 years of marriage, is profound. The movie made about their life is great. A Hidden Life. But the book was even better, at least for me. Thank you Joan Moulton for introducing me to this!

[Eric Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first learned of Franz Jagerstatter through the heartbreaking, gorgeous, and thought-provoking movie, "A Hidden Life." These letters and writings are so poignant, such an intimate look at the life of one person who refuses to be moved by a system he knows is evil--no matter what the church, the town, or the citizens say. There are so many parallels for our own times, but these writings stand on their own as a testament to integrity under fire.

[Josh Nisley · Rating 4 out of 5]

“The watchword of Christians amid conflict is not ‘Resist power with power’ but ‘Resist power with patience and perseverance in faith.’”

I first heard about Franz Jägerstätter through Terrence Malick’s magnificent film “A Hidden Life.” This book collects his correspondence and essays, most of which he wrote from prison as he awaited trial and (later) execution. I didn’t connect with some aspects of his spiritual temperament, but his quiet witness against the beast of National Socialism is profound and deeply moving.

[Caroline Weiss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every Catholic should read this, especially if you realize that being Catholic is to pursue sainthood at all costs. This is very encouraging for lay people and parents, and also very convicting. His love for the Bible is amazing, it will make you want to love Scripture and pour over it. What he gets from verses by simply reading them and meditating on them is beautiful. Also, he is SO NORMAL. He’s AVERAGE. And yet, through love of God, he is a saint. No lay saint has given me hope (that I can be a saint) like him. Blessed Franz Jägerstätter, ora pro nobis.

[Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

An intimate and humbling look at the short life of a “simple” man who died for his faith. I am glad to have watched the film that was inspired by these writings before reading the book, as it enabled me to appreciate the beauty of the film without regret about the details left out. It was enjoyable to discover the true depth of and study behind Blessed Franz’ faith in his own words, which I found accessible and moving. One I’ll likely return to in the future.

[Jon Coutts · Rating 4 out of 5]

Franz Jägerstätter was surprisingly articulate in his refusal of the oath to Hitler. Aside from his argument that duty does not override conscience - which later impacted VatIcan II - he was also incredibly sure in his hope of eternal life and justice.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most spiritually enriching book I have read in a long time. The writings of Bl. Franz Jägerstätter portray a man who was a model husband, loving father, and devoted son of the Church, who won the crown of martyrdom.

Bl. Franz Jägerstätter, ora pro nobis

"We must keep in mind, of course, that suffering during our earthly lives is not the worst thing. Even the saints had to suffer frightfully until God took them into eternal life. The Lord did not spare even his apostles from suffering, and most of them lost their lives through martyrdom. And the prospect of martyrdom did not deter them from working so much for Christ.

Amid our sinful lives, we want to live without suffering and struggles, to have a gentle death, and to attain eternal well-being beyond all of this. Christ himself, the most blameless individual, suffered the most among all human beings and purchased heaven for us by means of his suffering and death. Yet we do not want to suffer for Him! If we study history and look into the last centuries, we are not surprised that we are in this situation today. Over the years a deep and devout faith has receded and a new paganism has increasingly pushed ahead. Centuries ago, the good writers of religious history said - indeed some predicted - that great misery would come upon human beings if they did not improve themselves."

[Garret Macko]

Watched the new (2019) Terrance Malick film “A Hidden Life” based on Franz Jägerstätter’s life. Remarkable.

[Alix · Rating 4 out of 5]

I first learned about Franz Jagerstratter when watching the movie based on his life, A Hidden Life. It was a film of courage, beauty, and unwavering faith, so I was eager to learn more about the man who inspired it. This book, containing writings of Franz, was filled with the same things.

Franz was a humble Austrian farmer, devout to his wife and children and deep faith, who resisted the Nazi reign by refusing to pledge an oath of loyalty to Hitler. His writings wrestle with the duty to God, country, and family, and his resulting chains when choosing obedience to God over all else.

His Catholic theology explored in this book was not without flaw (in the opinion of this Protestant reader), but I was continually moved by his unwavering devotion to the word of God.

“Now I’ll write down a few words as they come to me from my heart. Although I am writing them with my hands in chains, this is still much better than if my will were in chains.”

I could quote so many things from this book, but these lines from one of the last writings of Franz sum up much of his thoughts: Choosing obedience to God’s will produces a freedom of the soul so strong and satisfactory, that it defies even physical chains that may result because of the same obedience.

People who read this book are likely to walk away with a stirred mind, testing the strength of their own convictions and love of God’s ways over the world’s. I certainly am.

“What are the short moments of joy in this world in relation to that which Jesus has promised us in his kingdom?”

(And it’s best enjoyed with A Hidden Life’s incredible soundtrack playing in the background.)

[Gabe Bruner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really ate up the first half of this book where you read Franz’ correspondence between him and his wife. In these letters I was shocked to find lessons not just on withstanding persecution with love, but also welcome ponderings on faithfulness in marriage, parenting, and work. Franz’ journals in the second half are a bit more of a slog to get through, hence the time it took to work through. Nonetheless this Protestant reader was very blessed by reading his Catholic brother elaborate on his consciousness during a time of great suffering and an untimely end.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thoughtful, provoking and inspiring read by Blessed Franz. Will read parts again. His trial may be similar to one many Christians will endure in the near future. May we be as strong, faithful and courageous as him.

[Peter Bradley · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Amazon review -

http://www.amazon.com/review/R2U02WP0...

[Joan D · Rating 3 out of 5]

I bought this book because we saw the movie, A Hidden Life, and were so impressed by the movie. The letters were all written while Franz was away from home, conscripted into Hitler's army in Austria. Franz was an Austrian farmer with a wife and three very young children. He and his wife wrote to each other regularly, and these are most of those letters. For the most part these are love letters and news from home letters. Neither of the couple is a very talented writer or thinker of deep thoughts. And that is OK. I am not either. But I did not finish reading the book. It's difficult to say why. The ending I already knew, and it was so tragic that it was hard to face. The faith in God of this couple is what sustained them and me as I read their letters. If not for that faith, I don't think it would have been worthwhile to contemplate.

[Travis Wesenberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book to be at times deeply inspiring. A man who no matter the pressure would not fold on his convictions of what he thought was right and wrong in the eyes of the Lord. The man who famously wrote “Now I’ll write down a few words as they come to me from my heart. Although I am writing them with my hands in chains, this is still much better than if my will were in chains” was quite the remarkable man. You'll be inspired by this read, but you will also have to suffer through a good deal of letters to his wife about life on the farm, but maybe that's your thing! I also highly recommend watching Terrence Malick's film "A Hidden Life" before tackling this.

[Lini · Rating 5 out of 5]

I must admit that I did not expect much of this book, but I really enjoyed it. I never heard of Franz before, and he is a hidden gem.
I like reading about how holy people lived their ordinary lives.
I guess I like reading letters and diaries written by more recent saints, like The Writings of St. Maximilian Maria Kolbe: Volume 1 Letters and Diary. So now I just have to find other similar books.

[Fr. Zachary Galante · Rating 5 out of 5]

A powerful book of letters and essays by Bl. Franz. He offers a profound witness of holiness in the face of strong political ideology that is foreign to the Gospel of Christ and the truth of the human person. This read can take a while due to the letter format, but it is beautiful.

[John Bleasdale · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good

[Abbey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book - beautiful writings by an inspiring man! We could all learn greatly from the courage of Blessed Franz Jagerstatter!

[Samuel Cheung · Rating 5 out of 5]

Franz’s life is proof that all it takes to be a saint is to believe the Gospel. It makes me wonder if I actually do.

[Željko Filipin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Incredible book. Especially considering it was written by a Austrian farmer, not a highly educated intellectual.

[Philip Fernandez · Rating 5 out of 5]

For all 'conscientious objectors' this martyr is an inspiration. But we must retell of his wife, Franziska Schwaninger married at age 23 and together they had three daughters, After his execution Franziska helped her young daughters be nurtured while taking care of everything else by herself.