Encuentra Calendar of Saints
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August 1

Gerhard Hirschfelder, priest and martyr (1907–1942)

martyr priest

German priest, Gerhard Hirschfelder defended the faith of young people against Nazi indoctrination and died for that fidelity in the Dachau concentration camp.

Biography

Ordained in 1932, he was distinguished by his joy, his closeness and his intense work in catechesis and youth ministry. His homilies prudently, but clearly, denounced the anti-Christian ideology of the regime. After stating that tearing Christ from the hearts of youth was a crime, he was detained without trial in 1941, deported and subjected to labor and hardship that ended his life.

Practical advice

Dedicate time today to listening to and training a young person, helping them to freely recognize what is true and good.

Example of

FortitudeFaithfulnessSacrifice

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