Blessed Engelmar Unzeitig

Biography

Blessed Engelmar Unzeitig, also known as the Angel of Dachau, was born on 1 March 1911 in the Czech Republic as Hubert Unzeitig. He was a professed priest in the Congregation of Missionaries of Mariannhill, having been ordained in 1939, and took the name Engelmar. Known for his strong faith and his unwavering commitment to preaching against the teachings of the Nazis, Father Engelmar served as a parish priest in Glöckelberg, Czech Republic.

On 21 April 1941, the Gestapo arrested Father Engelmar for the crime of being a priest and speaking out against the Nazi ideology. He was subsequently sent to the infamous Dachau concentration camp in Germany. Despite the harsh conditions and the constant threat of violence, Father Engelmar continued to minister to the other prisoners in the camp.

Father Engelmar's compassion and dedication to his fellow prisoners were remarkable. He went above and beyond by learning the Russian language in order to better minister to those from Eastern Europe who were imprisoned alongside him. Not only did he provide spiritual guidance and support, but he also offered his physical assistance, tending to the sick and injured. In a selfless act of courage, Father Engelmar volunteered to care for prisoners afflicted with typhoid fever, knowing the risks it posed to his own health.

Tragically, Father Engelmar contracted typhoid fever while caring for others and succumbed to the disease on 2 March 1945, his feast day in the Catholic Church. His self-sacrifice and his dedication to serving others in the face of great personal danger exemplified his extraordinary faith and love for humanity.

In recognition of his heroic virtues, Father Engelmar Unzeitig was venerated by Pope Benedict XVI on 3 July 2009. Later, on 24 September 2016, Pope Francis beatified him, declaring him blessed. The beatification ceremony took place in the Cathedral of Sankt Kilian in Würzburg, Germany, and was presided over by Cardinal Angelo Amato.

Blessed Engelmar Unzeitig, the Angel of Dachau, stands as an inspiration to all, reminding us of the power of faith and the importance of standing up for what is right in the face of tyranny and oppression. His life serves as a testament to the unwavering dedication to the service of God and humanity, even in the darkest of times.