What a hero! Karl Leisner was born in Germany during WWI. While Hitler rose to power in the following years, he led secret Catholic studies and meetings, encouraging Catholics to follow Jesus and resist Hitler. He was arrested and taken to Dachau. He was secretly ordained a priest in Dachau, and was extremely joyful and encouraging to his fellow concentration campers. He survived! Didn't see that coming, did you? But he had tuberculosis, and his health kept him bedridden for the rest of his short life. Years later, Pope John Paul II beautified him as Blessed Karl Leisner in the Berlin Olympic Stadium, which Hitler had constructed to glorify the Nazi party, but which the church redeemed and used to honor the faith and life of Karl Leisner. You can read more about him here.
Even in a concentration camp, Karl Leisner was full of joy and encouraged his fellow followers of Jesus. How much more can we do the same in our lives?
God, thanks for the amazing example and life of this holy young German man. Blessed Karl Leisner, pray for us.
No comments:
Post a Comment