History of Sorts

This is a first; this will be the first time I do a blog in two languages, English and Frisian. The reason why? Firstly it is to acknowledge my heritage from my mother’s side, she was Frisian. Secondly, and more importantly to honor a hero of mine. Father Titus Brandma who was also Frisian, Now I do know that there will be errors in the Frisian part, for that I apologize, because my Frisian is a bit rusty.

Titus Brandsma was a Carmelite priest, philosopher, and educator whose unwavering faith and intellectual brilliance made him one of the most inspiring figures of the Dutch resistance during World War II. His courageous stand against Nazi oppression, combined with his deep spirituality, led him to become a martyr in the fight for human dignity and freedom. This essay explores the life of Titus Brandsma, his resistance efforts, and the enduring legacy of his courage and sacrifice.

Early Life and Spiritual Calling

Titus Brandsma was born as Anno Sjoerd Brandsma on February 23, 1881, in the small village of Oegeklooster in Friesland, the Netherlands. He grew up in a devout Catholic family, which was unusual in the predominantly Protestant region of Friesland. His family instilled in him a strong sense of faith, social justice, and the importance of education. From an early age, Brandsma was drawn to religious life and intellectual pursuits.

At the age of 17, he joined the Carmelite order and took the name “Titus,” after his father. He was ordained as a priest in 1905 and quickly established himself as a gifted scholar and educator. Brandsma pursued advanced studies in philosophy and mysticism in Rome, where he earned a doctorate in philosophy. Upon returning to the Netherlands, he became a professor at the Catholic University of Nijmegen (now Radboud University), where he taught philosophy, mysticism, and the history of spirituality.

Brandsma was not only an intellectual but also a man deeply committed to social justice and the defense of human rights. He was an advocate for Catholic education, a journalist, and an outspoken critic of totalitarian ideologies. These qualities would later bring him into direct conflict with the Nazis during their occupation of the Netherlands.

Opposition to Nazi Ideology

When Nazi Germany invaded the Netherlands in May 1940, Brandsma became an outspoken critic of the regime. He viewed Nazi ideology as fundamentally incompatible with Christian values, particularly its emphasis on racial superiority, anti-Semitism, and the suppression of human dignity. As a scholar of philosophy and mysticism, Brandsma believed deeply in the inherent worth of every human being, a belief that directly contradicted the dehumanizing policies of the Nazis.

One of Brandsma’s key areas of resistance was his opposition to Nazi propaganda in the Dutch Catholic press. He believed that the Catholic Church had a moral obligation to reject the dissemination of Nazi ideology and that Catholic newspapers should not be used to support the regime’s goals. In 1941, when the Nazi authorities ordered all Dutch newspapers to publish pro-Nazi materials, Brandsma actively organized Catholic editors and publishers to resist this directive. He traveled across the Netherlands, meeting with newspaper editors to persuade them not to cooperate with the Nazis. He emphasized that participating in Nazi propaganda was a violation of Catholic principles and that the Church should stand firm in its opposition to evil.

Arrest and Imprisonment

Titus Brandsma’s resistance activities eventually drew the attention of the Nazi authorities. On January 19, 1942, he was arrested by the Gestapo for his outspoken opposition to the Nazi regime and his efforts to prevent Catholic newspapers from collaborating with the occupiers. Brandsma was taken to Scheveningen prison, where he was subjected to harsh interrogation and solitary confinement.

Despite the physical and psychological torture he endured, Brandsma remained steadfast in his faith and resistance. His deep spirituality provided him with the strength to face his suffering with dignity and grace. In prison, he continued to offer spiritual support to his fellow inmates and even to his captors, demonstrating his belief in the power of love and forgiveness in the face of hatred.

After several months in various prisons, Brandsma was transferred to the notorious Dachau concentration camp in Germany in June 1942. Dachau was the first Nazi concentration camp and became a symbol of the regime’s cruelty and inhumanity. It housed thousands of political prisoners, religious figures, and Jews, many of whom were subjected to brutal forced labor and medical experiments.

At Dachau, Brandsma’s health quickly deteriorated due to the harsh conditions, malnutrition, and physical abuse. Despite his suffering, he continued to minister to his fellow prisoners, offering comfort and spiritual guidance. He became a source of hope and resilience for those around him, embodying the Christian virtues of faith, hope, and love even in the face of extreme cruelty.

Martyrdom

Titus Brandsma’s life came to a tragic end on July 26, 1942, when he was executed by lethal injection at Dachau. He had been selected for medical experimentation due to his weakened condition. Still, the Nazi regime ultimately decided to euthanize him. Brandsma’s death marked the culmination of his resistance. However, his legacy as a martyr for faith and justice was just beginning.

Brandsma’s unwavering stand against the Nazi regime, his refusal to compromise his principles, and his dedication to helping others in the most horrific circumstances have made him a symbol of moral courage and spiritual strength. His martyrdom is remembered as a testament to the power of faith in the face of evil.

Legacy and Canonization

Titus Brandsma’s legacy has continued to inspire people around the world. After the war, he was recognized as one of the many religious figures who played a crucial role in the resistance against Nazi oppression. In 1985, he was declared a martyr by the Catholic Church. In 2005, Pope John Paul II beatified him, recognizing his sacrifice and his life of holiness.

Brandsma’s beatification highlighted his commitment to defending human dignity and his role as a symbol of resistance to totalitarianism. He is particularly remembered for his defense of press freedom and his refusal to allow the Catholic Church to be co-opted by Nazi ideology.

In May 2022, Pope Francis canonized Titus Brandsma as a saint, further cementing his place in the Church’s history of martyrs and heroes. His canonization serves as a reminder of the importance of standing up for justice, truth, and human dignity, even in the face of overwhelming evil. Brandsma’s life is a powerful example of how faith and intellect can be united in the pursuit of social justice and the defense of the most vulnerable members of society.

Titus Brandsma’s life and legacy stand as a beacon of moral courage and resistance in one of history’s darkest times. As a priest, scholar, and journalist, he used his intellect and faith to oppose the dehumanizing forces of Nazi ideology, even at the cost of his own life. His resistance to totalitarianism, his commitment to truth and justice, and his ultimate martyrdom have left an indelible mark on the Church and the world.

Brandsma’s canonization as a saint reflects the enduring relevance of his message: that faith must be lived out in action and that even in the face of oppression and violence, one can choose to stand for love, justice, and human dignity. His life is a testament to the power of faith and intellect in the fight against evil, and his example continues to inspire those who seek to promote peace and justice in the world today.

Titus Brandsma: De pryster, gelearde en martler fan it Nederlânske ferset
Titus Brandsma wie in Karmelytske pryster, filosoof en ûnderwizer waans ûnbidige leauwen en yntellektuele briljantheid him ta ien fan de meast ynspirearjende figueren fan it Nederlânske ferset yn de Twadde Wrâldoarloch makken. Syn moedich stânpunt tsjin nazi-ûnderdrukking, kombinearre mei syn djippe spiritualiteit, late him ta in martler yn ‘e striid foar minsklike weardichheid en frijheid. Dit essay ferkent it libben fan Titus Brandsma, syn fersetspogingen en de bliuwende erfenis fan syn moed en opoffering.

Iere libben en geastlike ropping
Titus Brandsma waard berne as Anno Sjoerd Brandsma op 23 febrewaris 1881 yn it doarp Oegeklooster yn Fryslân, Nederlân. Hy groeide op yn in fromme katolike famylje, wat ûngewoan wie yn it foar it meastepart protestantske gebiet fan Fryslân. Syn famylje joech him in sterk gefoel fan leauwen, sosjale gerjochtigheid en it belang fan ûnderwiis. Fan jongs ôf luts Brandsma him oan ta it religieuze libben en yntellektuele stribjen.

Doe’t er 17 jier wie, sleat er him by de Karmeliten oarder en naam de namme “Titus”, nei syn heit. Hy waard yn 1905 wijd as pryster en fêstige him al gau as in bejeftige gelearde en ûnderwizer. Brandsma folge fierdere stúdzjes filosofy en mystyk yn Rome, dêr’t er promovearre op de filosofy. By weromkomst yn Nederlân waard er heechlearaar oan de Katolike Universiteit fan Nijmegen (no Radboud Universiteit), dêr’t er filosofy, mystyk en de skiednis fan spiritualiteit learde.

Brandsma wie net allinnich in yntellektueel, mar ek in man dy’t djip ynsette foar sosjale gerjochtigheid en de ferdigening fan minskerjochten. Hy wie in advokaat foar katolyk ûnderwiis, sjoernalist en in útsprutsen kritikus fan totalitêre ideologyen. Dy kwaliteiten soene him letter by harren besetting fan Nederlân yn direkte konflikt bringe mei de nazi’s.

Ferset tsjin Nazi-ideology
Doe’t Nazi-Dútslân yn maaie 1940 Nederlân binnenfoel, waard Brandsma in útsprutsen kritikus fan it rezjym. Hy seach de nazi-ideology as fûneminteel ynkompatibel mei kristlike wearden, benammen de klam op rassiale superioriteit, antysemitisme en de ûnderdrukking fan minsklike weardichheid. As gelearde fan filosofy en mystyk leaude Brandsma djip yn de ynherinte wearde fan elk minske, in oertsjûging dy’t streekrjocht yn striid wie mei it dehumanisearjende belied fan de nazi’s.

Ien fan Brandsma syn wichtichste gebieten fan ferset wie syn ferset tsjin nazi-propaganda yn de Nederlânske katolike parse. Hy leaude dat de katolike tsjerke in morele ferplichting hie om de fersprieding fan nazi-ideology te fersmiten en dat katolike kranten net brûkt wurde

moatte om de doelen fan it rezjym te stypjen. Yn 1941, doe’t de nazi-autoriteiten alle Nederlânske kranten opdroegen om pro-nazi-materiaal te publisearjen, organisearre Brandsma aktyf katolike redakteuren en útjouwers om har tsjin dizze rjochtline te fersetten. Hy reizge troch Nederlân, moete mei kranteredaksjes om harren te oertsjûgjen om net mei de nazi’s mei te wurkjen. Hy beklamme dat dielnimmen oan nazi-propaganda in ynbreuk wie op katolike prinsipes en dat de tsjerke stevich stean moat yn har ferset tsjin it kwea.

Arrestaasje en finzenisstraf
De fersetsaktiviteiten fan Titus Brandsma lutsen úteinlik de oandacht fan de nazi-autoriteiten. Op 19 jannewaris 1942 waard er arresteare troch de Gestapo foar syn útsprutsen ferset tsjin it nazi-rezjym en syn ynspanningen om foar te kommen dat katolike kranten gearwurkje mei de besetters. Brandsma waard nei de finzenis yn Scheveningen brocht, dêr’t hy ûnderwurpen waard oan hurde ferhoaren en iensumens.

Nettsjinsteande de fysike en psychyske marteling dy’t er trochmakke hat, bleau Brandsma fêst yn syn leauwen en ferset. Syn djippe spiritualiteit joech him de krêft om syn lijen mei weardichheid en genede oan te gean. Yn ‘e finzenis gie hy troch mei it oanbieden fan geastlike stipe oan syn oare finzenen en sels oan syn finzenen, en demonstrearre syn leauwen yn’ e krêft fan leafde en ferjouwing yn it gesicht fan haat.

Nei ferskate moannen yn ferskate finzenissen waard Brandsma oerbrocht nei it beruchte konsintraasjekamp Dachau yn Dútslân yn juny 1942. Dachau wie it earste nazi-konsintraasjekamp en waard in symboal fan de wredens en ûnminsklikheid fan it rezjym. It ûnderbrocht tûzenen politike finzenen, religieuze figueren en joaden, in protte fan wa’t ûnderwurpen waarden oan brutale twangarbeid en medyske eksperiminten.

By Dachau rekke de sûnens fan Brandsma gau efterút troch de drege omstannichheden, ûnderfieding en fysike misbrûk. Nettsjinsteande syn lijen bleau hy syn kollega-finzenen te tsjinjen, treast en geastlike begelieding oan te bieden. Hy waard in boarne fan hope en fearkrêft foar degenen om him hinne, dy’t de kristlike deugden fan leauwe, hope en leafde ferbylde, sels yn it gesicht fan ekstreme wredens.

Martlerdom
It libben fan Titus Brandsma kaam op 26 july 1942 in tragysk ein doe’t er te Dachau troch deadlike ynjeksje terjochte waard. Hy wie selektearre foar medyske eksperiminten fanwegen syn ferswakke tastân, mar it nazi-rezjym besleat úteinlik om him te euthanisearje. De dea fan Brandsma markearre it hichtepunt fan syn ferset, mar syn neilittenskip as martler foar leauwe en gerjochtichheid wie krekt begûn.

Brandsma syn ûnbidige opstân tsjin it nazi-rezjym, syn wegering om syn prinsipes te kompromittearjen en syn tawijing om oaren te helpen yn ‘e meast ôfgryslike omstannichheden hawwe him in symboal makke fan morele moed en geastlike krêft. Syn martlerdom wurdt ûnthâlden as in testamint fan ‘e krêft fan leauwen yn it gesicht fan it kwea.

Legacy en kanonisaasje
De neilittenskip fan Titus Brandsma hat minsken oer de hiele wrâld ynspirearje bleaun. Nei de oarloch waard er erkend as ien fan de protte religieuze figueren dy’t in krúsjale rol spile yn it ferset tsjin nazi-ûnderdrukking. Yn 1985 waard er troch de Katolike Tsjerke ta martler ferklearre, en yn 2005 sil Paus Jehannes Paulus II him sillich, erkende syn offer en syn libben fan hilligens.

Brandsma syn beëdiging beljochte syn ynset foar it ferdigenjen fan minsklike weardichheid en syn rol as symboal fan ferset tsjin totalitarisme. Hy wurdt benammen ûnthâlden foar syn ferdigening fan parsefrijheid en syn wegering om de Katolike Tsjerke te koöptearjen troch nazi-ideology.

Yn maaie 2022 hillige Paus Fransiskus Titus Brandsma as hillige, wat syn plak yn de skiednis fan de martlers en helden fan de Tsjerke fierder fêstige. Syn kanonisaasje tsjinnet as in oantinken oan it belang fan it opkommen foar gerjochtichheid, wierheid en minsklike weardichheid, sels yn it gesicht fan oerweldigjend kwea. It libben fan Brandsma is in machtich foarbyld fan hoe’t leauwe en yntellekt byinoar komme kinne yn it stribjen nei sosjale gerjochtigheid en de ferdigening fan de meast kwetsbere leden fan de maatskippij.

De kanonisaasje fan Brandsma as hillige wjerspegelet de bliuwende relevânsje fan syn boadskip: dat it leauwe útlibbe wurde moat yn aksje, en dat men sels yn it gesicht fan ûnderdrukking en geweld der foar kieze kin om te stean foar leafde, gerjochtichheid en minsklike weardichheid. Syn libben is in testamint fan ‘e krêft fan leauwen en yntellekt yn’ e striid tsjin it kwea, en syn foarbyld bliuwt dejingen dy’t besykje frede en gerjochtichheid te befoarderjen yn ‘e wrâld hjoed.

Sources

https://www.4en5mei.nl/oorlogsmonumenten/zoeken/3515/oegeklooster-monument-voor-titus-brandsma

https://oorlogsgravenstichting.nl/personen/19680/anno-sjoerd-brandsma

https://www.oorlogsbronnen.nl/tijdlijn/e95b00fa-ac55-46d8-98b6-2a2515b1906a