Blessed Titus Brandsma 1881-1942 FEAST JULY 27

Titus, a Model for Peace and Forgiveness



Titus Brandsma was born in Bolsward, Netherlands; he joined the Carmelites and in 1905 was ordained. He earned a doctorate in philosophy in Rome; Titus taught in Dutch universities and lectured on Carmelite spirituality and mysticism. He translated into Dutch the works of St. Teresa of Avila. He was rector at the Catholic University of Nijmegen. His work was widely printed and read. Brandsma's long-term fight against the spread of Nazi ideology and for educational and press freedom brought him to the attention of the Nazis. After Germany occupied the Netherlands, Titus was arrested as an enemy of Nazism. He was sent to several concentration camps, and was killed by lethal injection at Dachau in 1942.

Brandsma is honoured as a martyr within the Roman Catholic Church. He was beatified in November 1985 by Pope John Paul II. His feast day is observed within the Carmelite Order on 27 July.