Blessed Titus Brandsma

Titus Brandsma (1881-1942) was a Carmelite martyr who died at the hands of the Nazis. He was born in Bolsward in the Netherlands, became a Carmelite as a young man, and was ordained a priest in 1905.  Titus then taught in Dutch universities and lectured in many countries on Carmelite spirituality and mysticism. He also served as rector magnificus at the Catholic University of Nijmegen. In 1935 he became an ecclesiastical advisor to Catholic journalists. His academic and spiritual studies were also printed and widely read.

When the Nazis occupied the Netherlands, Titus was singled out as an enemy because he fought against the spread of Nazism in Europe. Arrested, Titus was sent to various concentration camps where he demonstrated charity and concern. In 1942, he was martyred in Dachau. Titus was beatified by Pope John Paul II on November 3, 1985. His Feast Day is July 27.