27 July Obligatory Memorial (Feast: Ger, Phil, Del Colombia)
Born in the Frisian city of Bolsward, Holland, in 1881, St. Titus Brandsma joined the Carmelites in 1898 at the age of 17. He made his first profession in 1899 and then he was ordained to the priesthood in 1905. He undertook further studies in Rome and was awarded a doctorate in philosophy at the Gregorian Pontifical University.
Returning to Holland, he taught in a number of schools before taking up a post as Professor of Philosophy and the History of Mysticism at the Catholic University of Nijmegen where he was later appointed Rector Magnificus. A noted writer and journalist, in 1935, he was appointed adviser to the bishops, for Catholic journalists. He was noted for being ready to receive anyone in difficulty and to help in whatever way he could. In the period leading up to and during the Nazi occupation in Holland, he argued passionately against the National Socialist ideology, basing his stand on the Gospels, and he defended the right to freedom in education and for the Catholic Press. As a result, he was imprisoned. So began his Calvary, involving great personal suffering and degradation whilst, at the same time, he himself brought solace and comfort to the other internees and begged God's blessing on his jailers. In the midst of such inhuman suffering, he possessed the precious ability to bring an awareness of goodness, love and peace. He passed from one prison or camp to another until he arrived in Dachau where he was killed on 26th July 1942. He was beatified as a martyr by Pope John Paul II on 3rd November 1985 and was canonized by Pope Francis on May 15, 2022, in St Peter’s Square.
Mass with the Carmelite Family - St. Paul Outside the Walls
May 14, 2022
Celebrant: Míċeál O’Neill, O. Carm. - Prior General of the Carmelite Order
Watch here
Mass of Canonization - St. Peter’s Square
May 15, 2022
Celebrant: Pope Francis
Papal Homily on May 15 (in various languages):
[Arabic - English - French - German - Italian - Polish - Portuguese - Spanish]
Mass of Thanksgiving - Altar of the Chair (St. Peter’s Basilica)
May 16, 2022
Celebrant: Willem Jacobus Cardinal Eijk, Archbishop of Utrecht
Watch here
The Highlights of the Canonization of St. Titus Brandsma
with Fr. Roderick Stories
Titus Brandsma documentary
