Franz and Franziska are another example of well married saints and holy people. Franz is a martyr who refused to participate in evil. He was a conscientious objector in Austria, when Hitler ruled. He is an example of Christian resistance. When Hitler conquered Austria, Franz and Franziska hoped the was would end before he was conscripted into duty. Franz was the father of three daughters, at that time. His wife, Franziska was very loving and maybe while not agreeing wholeheartedly, did understand and support him. Both knew the consequences of resisting the Third Reich.
There is a good biography written by Dr. Erna Putz. Franz is a martyr, of that there is no doubt. But I also think Franziska should be considered a saint, also. Would Franz be what he was, without her? Her life after his death was hard, due to people. Yes, she was shunned and even ridiculed. You would expect disapproval from the government, but her neighbors turned their backs on her. Some blamed her for husband death because she was perceived as encouraging him in his "nonsense." She could receive no privileges from the government because of the way Franz died. No one helped her. Even after the war, officials penalized many of those who opposed Hitler. During rationing, Franziska received no coupons for even her children. For many years she was denied the pension allocated to veterans' widows. In many ways, she was a pariah.
After the war Franz' ashes were brought home and buried beneath a crucifix by the church. Eventually, his grave became a place of pilgrimage. He was beatified Oct. 26, 2007.
h/t Fr. Thomas Kevin Kraft, O.P. research on married saints
There is a good biography written by Dr. Erna Putz. Franz is a martyr, of that there is no doubt. But I also think Franziska should be considered a saint, also. Would Franz be what he was, without her? Her life after his death was hard, due to people. Yes, she was shunned and even ridiculed. You would expect disapproval from the government, but her neighbors turned their backs on her. Some blamed her for husband death because she was perceived as encouraging him in his "nonsense." She could receive no privileges from the government because of the way Franz died. No one helped her. Even after the war, officials penalized many of those who opposed Hitler. During rationing, Franziska received no coupons for even her children. For many years she was denied the pension allocated to veterans' widows. In many ways, she was a pariah.After the war Franz' ashes were brought home and buried beneath a crucifix by the church. Eventually, his grave became a place of pilgrimage. He was beatified Oct. 26, 2007.
h/t Fr. Thomas Kevin Kraft, O.P. research on married saints
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