Blessed Josef Mayrnusser

Biography

Blessed Josef Mayrnusser, also known as Pepi, was born on 27 December 1910 in Bolzano, Italy, into a pious rural farm family. He was deeply influenced by his brother Jakob, who became a priest, and both were devoted followers of Blessed Antoine-Frédéric Ozanam and Saint Vincent de Paul. Inspired by their examples of service to the poor, Josef joined the Saint Vincent de Paul Society in 1932.

Showing great dedication and leadership, Josef quickly rose within the organization and by 1937, he became the president of the Bolzano division. Besides directly caring for those in need, he also became an outspoken advocate for the poor. In 1934, he became the head of Catholic Action in the diocese of Trent, Italy, furthering his commitment to social justice and promoting the teachings of the Catholic Church.

With a thirst for knowledge, Josef was a diligent student of the writings of Saint Thomas More and Saint Thomas Aquinas. He focused particularly on their correspondence, believing that the letters would reveal the true essence of these remarkable men.

In 1939, Josef joined the resistance group Andreas Hofer Bund, which operated covertly against the Nazi regime. His involvement in the resistance demonstrated his unwavering commitment to defending the principles of faith, freedom, and human dignity in a time of great darkness and injustice.

On 26 May 1942, Josef married Hildegard Straub, and they welcomed their son Alberto into the world in 1943. However, their happiness would soon be shattered as Josef was drafted into the German army in World War II. In 1944, he was assigned to an SS unit and sent to Prussia for training.

It was during this time that Josef faced a profound moral dilemma. On 4 October 1944, he made a courageous decision to refuse to take the oath of loyalty and obedience to Hitler or cooperate with the anti-Christian Nazi ideology. His faith and conscience were stronger than the pressures of the war and the regime.

For his unwavering stance, Josef was imprisoned, and in February 1945, he was sentenced to be executed in the Dachau concentration camp. Tragically, Josef's life was cut short while en route to the camp when he succumbed to dysentery on a train. He died in the morning of 24 February 1945 in Erlangen, Germany.

In recognition of his heroic witness and martyrdom, Pope Francis declared Josef Mayrnusser venerable on 8 July 2016. His beatification took place on 18 March 2017 at the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta in Bolzano, Italy, presided over by Cardinal Angelo Amato.

Blessed Josef Mayrnusser's life serves as a testament to his unwavering faith, his love for the poor, and his courageous resistance against the forces of evil. His memory is celebrated on 24 February, and his relics were reburied at the church of San Giuseppe in Bolzano, Italy, in 1958, becoming a place of devotion and pilgrimage for the faithful.