London: Annual Pax Christi Memorial Service for Franz Jägerstätter

Franz Jägerstätter

This year marks the 70th anniversary of the execution of Franz Jägerstätter in Berlin, for his refusal to serve in Hitler's army. Where: Crypt Chapel, Westminster Cathedral. Entrance via school car park, Ambrosden Avenue. The service begins at 6.30 pm on 9 August. Patrick Riordan SJ lecturer at Heythrop University, London will be speaking.

Events will be also taking place in Austria, his home country, to commemorate Franz and his wife Franziska. On 9 August 2013 a memorial service at the hour of death of Franz Jägerstätter at 4 pm will be held in the prison of Brandenburg/Havel near the former execution room. Dr Erna Putz gives a lecture on 'Franz and Franziska Jägerstätter - The growth and development of a decision.'

The parish of St Radegund and Pax Christi organize the International Jägerstätter Commemoration on 8 - 9 August. After a lecture in the parish hall Tarsdorf about 'Franz Jägerstätter and the Bible' by Prof Dr Otto Schwankl, University of Passau, Germany, the participants will make a pilgrimage to St Radegund.

During the worship at the hour of death, led by Pax Christi, the names of the other 16 victims who have been beheaded on the same day in Brandenburg/Havel will be read out, accompanied by lighting a candle and incense. In the evening the Eucharistic celebration with Bishop emeritus Maximilian Aichern OSB ends with a Candle-lit vigil at the grave of Franz and Franziska Jägerstätter.

Find out more about Franz here: www.paxchristi.org.uk/peace_people1.php