Nikolaus Groß mit Ehefrau
Elisabeth, Tag der Verlobung (1912) aus: Archiv Bistum Essen
Bienheureux Nicolas Gross
Martyr victime du nazisme (✝ 1945)
Béatifié le 7 octobre 2001, Nikolaus
Groß (1898-1945), mineur puis rédacteur allemand, père de sept enfants,
ouvertement hostile au nazisme, arrêté et pendu à Berlin.
"Nikolaus Gross, journaliste et père de famille comprit avec sagacité que l'idéologie national-socialiste ne pouvait pas s'accorder avec la foi chrétienne. Il prit courageusement la plume pour défendre la dignité des personnes. Nikolaus Gross aimait beaucoup sa femme et ses enfants. Toutefois, à aucun moment le lien qui l'unissait à sa famille ne lui fit abandonner le Christ et son Eglise. Il savait bien que 'si aujourd'hui nous n'engageons pas notre vie, comment pourrons-nous ensuite prétendre nous trouver aux côtés de Dieu et de notre peuple'." Homélie de Jean-Paul II
Biographie en anglais, site du Vatican - Nikolaus Gross (1898-1945)
À Berlin, en 1945, le bienheureux Nicolas Gross, martyr. Père de famille, profondément attentif à la vie sociale, il s’opposa de toute façon au régime nazi, oppresseur de la dignité humaine et de la religion, pour n’agir en rien contre le commandement de Dieu. Il fut pour cela jeté en prison et exécuté par pendaison.
Martyrologe romain
"Le juste vivra par sa fidélité" (Ha 2, 4)
Nikolaus-Groß-Haus, Domplatz 2a, Hattingen-Niederwenigern
Le Bienheureux Nikolaus Gross
PÈRE DE FAMILLE, ÉPOUX ET CITOYEN EXEMPLAIRE
Martyr de la méchanceté des athées d’Hitler en 1945
Nikolaus (Nicolas) Gross naît le 30 septembre 1898 à Niederwenigern,
petit village de la grande banlieue d'Essen, en Allemagne. Il est d'abord
ouvrier dans un laminoir, puis mineur. Il travaille cinq ans sous terre, mais
il s'efforce de poursuivre en même temps son instruction.
En 1917, il adhère à un syndicat: l'«Union des mineurs chrétiens» et en
1918 au parti centriste (Parti politique catholique).
En 1919 il entre dans l'«Association des mineurs de saint Antoine»
(KAB), mouvement important qui permet aux catholiques de faire entendre leur
voix. A 22 ans il en devient le secrétaire pour la section jeunes, ainsi que
rédacteur-adjoint du journal de ce syndicat: Bergknappe (Le mineur). Entretemps
il se marie avec Elizabeth Koch, mariage très heureux, dont il aura 7 enfants.
Il aime passionnément sa famille, mais cela ne le distrait pas des
grands problèmes sociaux. En 1917, il est rédacteur-adjoint du journal des
travailleurs de l'Ouest de l'Allemagne. En 1930 il en devient le rédacteur en
chef. Il peut ainsi guider les catholiques sur les questions sociales. Il prend
conscience que les problèmes sociaux ne peuvent être résolus sans un effort
spirituel et que la politique exige un contrôle moral. Bien qu'il n'ait pas un
grand talent d'orateur à cause de son peu d'études, il parle avec une grande
chaleur de cœur et une grande force de conviction.
Dès 1929, lorsqu'il se rend à la Maison Ketteler, à Cologne, il a une
claire opinion sur le Nazisme montant. Il part de l'idée principale de Mgr
Ketteler (1811-1877), évêque «social», qui affirme: «Une réforme des conditions
de vie ne peut se réaliser pleinement que dans une réforme des attitudes».
Ainsi voit-il dans le succès du nazisme un signe que la société manque de
discernement et fait preuve d'«immaturité politique». La pensée qui le guide
est que l'«on doit obéir à Dieu plutôt qu'aux hommes» et même, que la
désobéissance est un devoir lorsqu'on nous demande quelque chose contre Dieu ou
la foi.
Dès le début il voit dans les nazis «les ennemis mortels de l'état
actuel» et c'est pourquoi, dit-il, «en tant que travailleurs chrétiens nous
rejetons le nazisme définitivement, résolument et clairement» (1930). Aussi,
dès la prise de pouvoir par Hitler en 1933, son journal est déclaré «hostile à
l'État». Désormais, il doit s'ingénier à écrire entre les lignes. Finalement le
journal est supprimé en 1938. Pendant les années de guerre, Nicolas Gross
continue son action dans un réseau de résistance et souvent il se fait agent de
liaison entre les réseaux. Il soutient les valeurs de l'Évangile et la force
critique de la foi parmi les travailleurs.
Le journal étant disparu, il écrit une
série de petits pamphlets. En 1940, la Gestapo saisit deux d'entre eux et dès
lors, ce sont des perquisitions policières constantes à domicile. Il est au
courant de l'attentat préparé par Stauffenberg contre Hitler. Il a assisté à
l'une des réunions mais il n'a pas pris part ni à sa préparation, ni à son
exécution. La veille de l'attentat du 20 juillet 1944, l'aumônier des
travailleurs lui dit: «M. Gross, rappelez-vous que vous avez 7 enfants. Moi je
n'ai pas de famille. Votre vie est en jeu.» A quoi il répond: «Si nous ne risquons pas notre vie aujourd'hui, comment
voulons-nous nous justifier un jour devant Dieu et notre peuple?»
A la suite de cet attentat, il y a une vague de 7000 arrestations dont
5000 exécutions. Nikolaus Gross est arrêté le 12 août et emprisonné à
Ravensbrück, puis à Berlin-Tegel où sa femme, qui vient le voir deux fois,
remarque des traces de torture sur ses bras. Le 15 janvier 1945, il est
condamné à mort. Le juge déclare: «Il n'a pas arrêté de nager dans la trahison
et conséquemment il doit y plonger.» Le jour de l'exécution, le 23 janvier,
l'aumônier qui lui donne une bénédiction finale témoigne: «Son visage semblait
déjà illuminé par la gloire dans laquelle il allait bientôt entrer.» Il est
pendu à Berlin-Plotzensee et les Nazis qui ne veulent pas de martyrs brûlent
son corps, et ses cendres sont dispersées dans la nature. Il a été béatifié le
7 octobre 2001 par le Pape Jean-Paul II.
Pratique: Quand la foi et la
vérité sont en jeu, il faut obéir à Dieu plutôt qu'aux hommes.
Il est journaliste, il résiste au nazisme,
il le paye de sa vie
Sa force, la prière continuelle
Le martyrologe
romain fait aujourd’hui mémoire d’un bienheureux père de sept enfants,
syndicaliste et journaliste
allemand, Nikolaus Gross (1898-1945), mort martyr pour avoir résisté
à Hitler.
Il a été
béatifié par le pape Jean-Paul II le 7 octobre 2001 à Rome. Il a puisé dans sa
foi la force d’opposer une résistance héroïque à Hitler, jusqu’à le payer de sa
vie, c’est pourquoi il a été proclamé martyr.
Il était né à
Niederwenigern, à la limite de la Rhénanie et de la Westphalie. Et il avait été
mineur avant de devenir rédacteur du journal des travailleurs, le
« Westdeutsche Arbeiterzeitung ».
Son opposition
à l’idéologie nazie était ouverte. Il ne cessait de défendre les valeurs de la
famille chrétienne: elle constitue, disait-il, le meilleur rempart contre le
national-socialisme. Ses articles et ses discours enflammés témoignaient d’un
rare courage pour dénoncer la perversion du régime.
Déjà, en 1930,
il écrivait: « Nous,
travailleurs catholiques, nous refusons le national-socialisme, pas seulement
pour des motifs politiques et écnomiques, mais aussi en raison de notre
attitude religieuse et culturelle, de façon claire et décidée. »
C’est au
lendemain de l’attentat manqué contre Adolf Hitler du 20 juillet 1944 qu’il fut
arrêté, le 12 août, chez lui, vers midi, puis il fut emprisonné à la prison de
Ravensbrück et ensuite à la prison de Tegel à Berlin. Il n’avait pas participé
aux préparatifs mais il fréquentait des personnes engagées dans le projet.
A un prêtre
qui lui rappelait qu’il était père de sept enfants et que par son opposition,
il risquait sa vie, il avait répondu: « Si aujourd’hui, nous
n’engageons pas notre vie, comment voulons-nous surmonter notre épreuve devant
Dieu et devant notre peuple? »
Sa femme,
Elisabeth, lui rendit visite en prison à Berlin, deux fois. Elle constata sur
ses mains et ses bras de signes évidents de torture.
Mais lui-même
réussit à écrire 29 lettres en prison. Elles témoignent de sa confiance en Dieu
et de sa prière continuelle, source de sa force intérieure. Il demande à sa
femme et à ses enfants de prier continuellement comme lui-même le fait chaque
jour pur sa famille.
Sa fête est
célébrée le 15 janvier, parce que c’est le 15 janvier 1945 que le président du
tribunal, Roland Freisler, l’a condamné à la peine capitale par pendaison, pour
haute-trahison. Il fut pendu dans l’après-midi du 23 janvier 1945. Il avait
46 ans. Son corps fut brûlé et ses cendres dispersées sur la terre gelée de
janvier.
L’aumônier de
la prison, le P. Buchholz, lui avait donné sa bénédiction de façon cachée. Il
raconte: « Gross a
baissé la tête en silence. Son visage semblait déjà illuminé par la splendeur
qui allait l’accueillir .»
Dans son
homélie de la messe de béatification, Jean-Paul II l’a évoqué en ces termes: « Nikolaus Gross comprit avec
sagacité que l’idéologie national-socialiste ne pouvait pas s’accorder avec la
foi chrétienne. Il prit courageusement la plume pour défendre la dignité des
personnes. Nikolaus Gross aimait beaucoup sa femme et ses enfants. Toutefois, à
aucun moment le lien qui l’unissait à sa famille ne lui fit abandonner le
Christ et son Eglise.(…) Il fut conduit à l’échafaud, mais les portes du
ciel s’ouvrirent à lui. Dans le bienheureux martyr Nikolaus Gross se réalisa ce
qu’avait prédit le prophète: « Le juste vivra par sa
fidélité » (Ha 2, 4). »
SOURCE : https://fr.zenit.org/articles/il-est-journaliste-il-resiste-au-nazisme-il-le-paye-de-sa-vie/
(1898-1945)
On
Sunday, 7 October, the Holy Father will beatify Nikolaus
Gross, layman, father of seven children, union activist, newspaper editor,
and martyr.
Nikolaus
Gross was born on 30 September 1898 of a colliery blacksmith in Niederwenigern,
near the city of Essen, and attended the local Catholic school from 1905-12. He
then worked initially in a plate rolling mill, then as a grinder and later as a
face-worker in a coal mine. He worked underground for five years.
In his limited spare time, he continued his higher education. In 1917, he joined the Christian Miners' Trade Union. In 1918 he joined the Centre Party (the Catholic political party). In 1919 he joined the St Anthony's Miners Association (Antonius Knappenverein KAB) in Niederwenigern. It was the major Catholic union for the Catholic miners and a major Catholic voice. At the age of 22 he became secretary for young people in the union. A year later he became assistant editor of the union newspaper Bergknappe ("The Miner"). His work with the union took him around Germany until he finally settled in Bottrop in the Ruhr Valley, in what is now the Diocese of Essen.
In his limited spare time, he continued his higher education. In 1917, he joined the Christian Miners' Trade Union. In 1918 he joined the Centre Party (the Catholic political party). In 1919 he joined the St Anthony's Miners Association (Antonius Knappenverein KAB) in Niederwenigern. It was the major Catholic union for the Catholic miners and a major Catholic voice. At the age of 22 he became secretary for young people in the union. A year later he became assistant editor of the union newspaper Bergknappe ("The Miner"). His work with the union took him around Germany until he finally settled in Bottrop in the Ruhr Valley, in what is now the Diocese of Essen.
In the
meantime, he married Elizabeth Koch from Niederwenigern. They had seven
children in the course of their happy marriage. He loved his family above
everything and was an exemplary father in his responsibility for their
education and upbringing in the faith. Gross did not withdraw into the shell of
family life. He remained attuned to the great social problems, precisely in his
responsibility for his family. Work and social obligations were the place in
which he realized his Christian mission. In his doctrine of faith written in
1943 he wrote: "The majority of great achievements come into being
through the daily performance of one's duties in the little things of everyday
routine. Our special love here is always for the poor and the sick".
At the
beginning of 1927, he became assistant editor of the Westdeutsche
Arbeiterzeitung(West German Workers' Newspaper), the organ of the St
Anthony's Miners' Association (KAB) and soon became its editor-in-chief. Here
he was able to give Catholic workers guidance on social and labour questions.
In the course of time, it became clear to him that the political challenges
contained a moral claim and that the social problems cannot be solved without
spiritual efforts.
The editor became a messenger who bore witness to his faith here too. When he moved in this capacity to the Ketteler House in Cologne, in 1929, he already had a clear opinion about approaching Nazism. Starting out from Bishop Ketteler's main idea that a reform of the conditions in society can only be achieved by a reform in attitude, he saw in the Nazis' success in society: "political immaturity" and "a lack of discernment". Already at that time he called the Nazis "mortal enemies of the present state". As editor of the organ of the KAB, on 14 September 1930, he wrote: "As Catholic workers we reject Nazism not only for political and economic reasons, but decisively also, resolutely and clearly, on account of our religious and cultural attitude".
The editor became a messenger who bore witness to his faith here too. When he moved in this capacity to the Ketteler House in Cologne, in 1929, he already had a clear opinion about approaching Nazism. Starting out from Bishop Ketteler's main idea that a reform of the conditions in society can only be achieved by a reform in attitude, he saw in the Nazis' success in society: "political immaturity" and "a lack of discernment". Already at that time he called the Nazis "mortal enemies of the present state". As editor of the organ of the KAB, on 14 September 1930, he wrote: "As Catholic workers we reject Nazism not only for political and economic reasons, but decisively also, resolutely and clearly, on account of our religious and cultural attitude".
Already a
few months after Hitler's seizure of power, the leader of the German Labour
Front, Robert Ley, called the KAB's Westdeutsche Arbeiterzeitung "hostile
to the state". In the following period, Gross attempted to save the
newspaper from destruction without making concessions on its content. From then
on he knew how to write between the lines. In November 1938 came the final
ban on the workers' newspaper which, in the meantime, had been renamed Kettelerwacht
(Ketteler's Watch).
Gross,
who had to work very hard for his education was no great orator. But he spoke
convincingly, warm-heartedly and with power of persuasion. The fact that
Nikolaus Gross joined the resistance in Germany resulted from
his Catholic religious conviction. For him the key was "that one must obey
God more than men". "If something is demanded of us that goes against
God or the Faith, then not only may we, but we must, refuse obedience (towards
men)" Thus wrote Nikolaus Gross in 1943 in his doctrine of
faith. It was becoming ever clearer to him that Germany had reached
this state under the Hitler regime.
Gross set
down his joint thoughts in two writings which later fell into the hands of
the Gestapo: The Great Tasks and Is Germany
Lost? They were to contribute towards his execution.
In 1940, Gross had to endure interrogations and house searches. After the ban on the association's newspaper, he published a series of small pamphlets which were intended to help strengthen the critical force of faith and Gospel values among workers. We find an answer for the reasons which motivated someone like Nikolaus Gross in the memoirs of the well-known, workers' chaplain, Msgr Caspar Schulte of Paderborn. There we read: "In my many conversations, especially with Nikolaus Gross and the association's head, Otto Müller, I got to know and admire these men's moral greatness. They did not stumble into death. They went their way also prepared to bear a painful death for the sake of freedom. I said to Nikolaus Gross on the day before the assassination attempt on Hitler of 20 July 1944: "Mr Gross, remember that you have seven children. I have no family for which I am responsible. It's a matter of your life'. To which Gross made a really great statement to me: "If we do not risk our life today, how do we then want one day to justify ourselves before God and our people?'". In 1943, Gross wrote in a booklet, what was almost a prophecy: "Sometimes, my heart becomes heavy and the task appears insoluble if I measure my own human imperfection and inadequacy against the greatness of the obligation and the weight of the responsibility. If a generation must pay the highest price, death, for its short life, we look for the answer in ourselves in vain. We find it only in Him in whose hand we are safe in life and in death. We never know what problems are waiting to test the power and strength of our souls.... Man's ways lie in obscurity. But even darkness is not without light. Hope and faith, which always hasten ahead of us, already have a presentiment of the breaking of a new dawn. If we know that the best thing in us, the soul, is immortal, then we also know that we shall meet each other again". What a testimony to a sense of responsibility, feeling for reality and assurance of faith! For Gross, trust in God was the foundation on which he did not falter. During the years of the war he formed a network of resistance to the Nazi's and he was often the currier between the centres of resistance. He was well informed of the plot to assassinate Hitler even though he took no part in its preparation and execution.
In 1940, Gross had to endure interrogations and house searches. After the ban on the association's newspaper, he published a series of small pamphlets which were intended to help strengthen the critical force of faith and Gospel values among workers. We find an answer for the reasons which motivated someone like Nikolaus Gross in the memoirs of the well-known, workers' chaplain, Msgr Caspar Schulte of Paderborn. There we read: "In my many conversations, especially with Nikolaus Gross and the association's head, Otto Müller, I got to know and admire these men's moral greatness. They did not stumble into death. They went their way also prepared to bear a painful death for the sake of freedom. I said to Nikolaus Gross on the day before the assassination attempt on Hitler of 20 July 1944: "Mr Gross, remember that you have seven children. I have no family for which I am responsible. It's a matter of your life'. To which Gross made a really great statement to me: "If we do not risk our life today, how do we then want one day to justify ourselves before God and our people?'". In 1943, Gross wrote in a booklet, what was almost a prophecy: "Sometimes, my heart becomes heavy and the task appears insoluble if I measure my own human imperfection and inadequacy against the greatness of the obligation and the weight of the responsibility. If a generation must pay the highest price, death, for its short life, we look for the answer in ourselves in vain. We find it only in Him in whose hand we are safe in life and in death. We never know what problems are waiting to test the power and strength of our souls.... Man's ways lie in obscurity. But even darkness is not without light. Hope and faith, which always hasten ahead of us, already have a presentiment of the breaking of a new dawn. If we know that the best thing in us, the soul, is immortal, then we also know that we shall meet each other again". What a testimony to a sense of responsibility, feeling for reality and assurance of faith! For Gross, trust in God was the foundation on which he did not falter. During the years of the war he formed a network of resistance to the Nazi's and he was often the currier between the centres of resistance. He was well informed of the plot to assassinate Hitler even though he took no part in its preparation and execution.
After the
abortive assassination attempt on 20 July 1944, events came thick and fast.
Gross, who was not himself involved in the preparation and execution of the
plot, was arrested towards noon at his home on 12 August 1944 and taken first
to the prison in Ravensbrück and then to the penitentiary in Berlin-Tegel. His
wife, Elisabeth, came to Berlin twice to visit him. She reported clear signs of
torture on his hand and arms. His letters from the prison and the witness of
the chaplain, Fr Peter Buchholz, give impressive evidence that constant prayer
was the source of strength in his difficult and, in the end, hopeless position.
In every letter he never failed to request constant prayer from his wife and
his children, just as he himself also prayed for his family each day.
On 15 January 1945, the death sentence was pronounced by the chairman of People's Court, Roland Freisler. His final remark in the court record and the real reason for the sentence: "He swam along in treason and consequently had to drown in it!". He was hanged in Berlin-Plotzensee on 23 January 1945. The Nazis did not make any martyrs. They did not allow the hanged man to have a grave. For the followers of falsehood and hatred there was only brutal destruction.
On 15 January 1945, the death sentence was pronounced by the chairman of People's Court, Roland Freisler. His final remark in the court record and the real reason for the sentence: "He swam along in treason and consequently had to drown in it!". He was hanged in Berlin-Plotzensee on 23 January 1945. The Nazis did not make any martyrs. They did not allow the hanged man to have a grave. For the followers of falsehood and hatred there was only brutal destruction.
But the
testimony to truth and faith is not to be obliterated! It lives on in those who
have gone before us as a shining example. The prison chaplain, Fr Peter
Buchholz, who blessed the condemned man on his final walk, reported
afterwards: "Gross bowed his head silently during the blessing. His
face already seemed illuminated by the glory into which he was getting ready to
enter".
The rulers of that time
refused to give him a Christian burial. His corpse was cremated and his ashes
scattered across a sewage farm.
SOURCE : http://www.vatican.va/news_services/liturgy/documents/ns_lit_doc_20011007_beat-gross_en.html
BEATIFICATION OF 7 SERVANTS OF
GOD
HOMILY OF JOHN PAUL II
Sunday 7 October 2001
1. "The just man shall live by
faith" (Hb 2,4): with these words full of confidence and hope the
prophet Habakkuk spoke to the people of Israel at a particularly troubled
moment of its history. Reread in the light of the mystery of Christ by the
Apostle Paul, the Church can use the same words to express a universal
principle: it is by faith that man is open to the salvation that comes to
him from God.
Today we have the joy of
contemplating this great mystery of salvation actualized in the new Blesseds.
They are the just who by their faith live close to God in eternity: Ignatius Maloyan, bishop and martyr; Nikolaus Gross, father of a family and
martyr; Alfonso Maria Fusco, priest; Tommaso Maria Fusco, priest; Emilie Tavernier Gamelin, religious woman; Eugenia Picco, virgin; Maria Euthymia Üffing, virgin. These
illustrious brothers and sisters, now elevated to the glory of the altars, knew
how to translate their invincible faith in Christ into an extraordinary
experience of love for God and service to their neighbour.
2. Archbishop Ignatius Maloyan, who died a martyr when he was 46, reminds us of every Christian's spiritual combat, whose faith is exposed to the attacks of evil. It is in the Eucharist that he drew, day by day, the force necessary to accomplish his priestly ministry with generosity and passion, dedicating himself to preaching, to a pastoral life connected with the celebration of the sacraments and to the service of the neediest. Throughout his existence, he fully lived the words of St Paul: "God has not given us a spirit of fear but a spirit of courage, of love and self control" (II Tim 1,14. 7). Before the dangers of persecution, Bl. Ignatius did not accept any compromise, declaring to those who were putting pressure on him, "It does not please God that I should deny Jesus my Saviour. To shed my blood for my faith is the strongest desire of my heart". May his example enlighten all those who today wish to be witnesses of the Gospel for the glory of God and for the salvation of their neighbour.
3. In her life as mother of a family and religious foundress of the Sisters of Providence, Emilie Tavernier Gamelin was the model of a courageous abandonment to divine Providence. Her attention to persons and to situations led her to invent new forms of charity. She had a heart open to every kind of trouble, and she was especially the servant of the poor and the little ones, whom she wished to treat like kings. She remembered that she had received everything from the Lord and she wanted to give without counting the cost. This was the secret of her deep joy, even in adversity.
2. Archbishop Ignatius Maloyan, who died a martyr when he was 46, reminds us of every Christian's spiritual combat, whose faith is exposed to the attacks of evil. It is in the Eucharist that he drew, day by day, the force necessary to accomplish his priestly ministry with generosity and passion, dedicating himself to preaching, to a pastoral life connected with the celebration of the sacraments and to the service of the neediest. Throughout his existence, he fully lived the words of St Paul: "God has not given us a spirit of fear but a spirit of courage, of love and self control" (II Tim 1,14. 7). Before the dangers of persecution, Bl. Ignatius did not accept any compromise, declaring to those who were putting pressure on him, "It does not please God that I should deny Jesus my Saviour. To shed my blood for my faith is the strongest desire of my heart". May his example enlighten all those who today wish to be witnesses of the Gospel for the glory of God and for the salvation of their neighbour.
3. In her life as mother of a family and religious foundress of the Sisters of Providence, Emilie Tavernier Gamelin was the model of a courageous abandonment to divine Providence. Her attention to persons and to situations led her to invent new forms of charity. She had a heart open to every kind of trouble, and she was especially the servant of the poor and the little ones, whom she wished to treat like kings. She remembered that she had received everything from the Lord and she wanted to give without counting the cost. This was the secret of her deep joy, even in adversity.
In a spirit of total confidence in
God and with an acute sense of obedience, like the anonymous servant in the
Gospel of today, she accomplished her duty which she considered a divine
commandment, wishing above all to do the will of God in everything. May the new
Blessed be a model of contemplation and action for the sisters of her institute
and for the persons who work with them.
4. Both of the new Blesseds from Germany lead us into the dark time of the twentieth century. Let us focus on Bl. Nikolaus Gross, journalist and father of a family. With the clear insight that the Nazi ideology was incompatible with Christian faith, he courageously took up his pen to plead for the dignity of human beings. Nikolaus loved his wife and children very much. However, the inner bond with his own family never allowed him to pull back from confessing Christ and his Church. It was clear to him, "If we do not risk our life today, how then do we want to justify ourselves one day before God and our people?". For this conviction he submitted to being hanged so that heaven itself might be opened to him. In the Blessed Martyr Nikolaus Gross was accomplished what the prophet foretold "The just man will live on account of his faith" (Hb 1,4).
5. The Blessed Sr Euthymia offered another kind of witness. The Clemens Sister dedicated herself tirelessly to the care of the sick, particularly, of the prisoners of war and of foreign workers. For this reason she was nicknamed "Mamma Euthymia". After the war, she was put in charge of the laundry room rather than of the sick. She would have preferred to serve human beings rather than machines. However, she remained a dedicated sister who had a friendly smile and a kind word for everyone. She had a way of describing her mission: "The Lord can use me like a ray of sun to brighten the day". This Sister lived the word of the Gospel: whatever we do, we are only unworthy servants. We have only done our duty" (Lk 17,10). In her faith in small things lies her greatness.
4. Both of the new Blesseds from Germany lead us into the dark time of the twentieth century. Let us focus on Bl. Nikolaus Gross, journalist and father of a family. With the clear insight that the Nazi ideology was incompatible with Christian faith, he courageously took up his pen to plead for the dignity of human beings. Nikolaus loved his wife and children very much. However, the inner bond with his own family never allowed him to pull back from confessing Christ and his Church. It was clear to him, "If we do not risk our life today, how then do we want to justify ourselves one day before God and our people?". For this conviction he submitted to being hanged so that heaven itself might be opened to him. In the Blessed Martyr Nikolaus Gross was accomplished what the prophet foretold "The just man will live on account of his faith" (Hb 1,4).
5. The Blessed Sr Euthymia offered another kind of witness. The Clemens Sister dedicated herself tirelessly to the care of the sick, particularly, of the prisoners of war and of foreign workers. For this reason she was nicknamed "Mamma Euthymia". After the war, she was put in charge of the laundry room rather than of the sick. She would have preferred to serve human beings rather than machines. However, she remained a dedicated sister who had a friendly smile and a kind word for everyone. She had a way of describing her mission: "The Lord can use me like a ray of sun to brighten the day". This Sister lived the word of the Gospel: whatever we do, we are only unworthy servants. We have only done our duty" (Lk 17,10). In her faith in small things lies her greatness.
6. "If you had faith like a
mustard seed", Jesus exclaimed speaking with his disciples (Lk 17,6). It
was a genuine and tenacious faith that guided the work and life of Bl. Alfonso Maria Fusco, founder of the Sisters of St John the Baptist. From
when he was a young man, the Lord put into his heart the passionate desire to
dedicate his life to the service of the neediest, especially of children and
young people, who were plentiful in his native city of Angri in Campania. For
this he undertook the path of the priesthood and, in a certain way, become the
"Don Bosco of Southern Italy". From the beginning he wanted to
involve in his work some young women who shared his ideal and he offered them
the words of St John the Baptist, "Prepare the way of the Lord" (Lk
3,4). Trusting in divine Providence, Bl. Alfonso and the Sisters of John the
Baptist set up a work that was superior to their own expectations. From a
simple house for the welcome of the young, there arose a whole Congregation
which today is present in 16 countries and on 4 continents working alongside
those who are "little" ones and "last".
7. The outstanding vitality of faith, extolled in the Gospel for today, emerges in the life and activity of Tommaso Maria Fusco, founder of the Institute of the Daughters of Charity of the Precious Blood. By virtue of the faith he knew how to live in the world the reality of the Kingdom of God in a very special way. Among his aspirations, there was one which was his favourite: "I believe in you, my God, increase my faith". It is this prayer that the Apostles direct to the Lord in the Gospel reading today (cf. Lk 17,6). Bl. Tommaso understood that faith is first of all a gift and a grace. No one can conquer it or obtain it by himself. One can only ask for it, implore it from on high. For that reason, enlightened by the teaching of the new Blessed, we never tire of asking the gift of faith, because "the just man will live by faith" (Hb 1,4).
8. The vital synthesis between contemplation and action, assimilated in the daily participation in the Eucharist, was the foundation of the spiritual experience and the burning charity of Bl. Eugenia Picco. In her life she made every effort to listen to the word of the Lord following the invitation of the Liturgy today (refrain for the responsorial psalm), never drawing back from the service which love of neighbour required. At Parma she took upon herself the poverty of the people responding to the needs of the young and of needy families and assisting the victims of the war that in this period made Europe suffer. Even in the face of suffering, with the inevitable moments of difficulty and bewilderment that it entails, Bl. Eugenia Picco knew how to transform the experience of suffering into an occasion of purification and inner growth. From Bl. Eugenia we can learn the art of listening to the voice of the Lord in order to be credible witnesses of the Gospel of charity in the opening years of the millennium.
7. The outstanding vitality of faith, extolled in the Gospel for today, emerges in the life and activity of Tommaso Maria Fusco, founder of the Institute of the Daughters of Charity of the Precious Blood. By virtue of the faith he knew how to live in the world the reality of the Kingdom of God in a very special way. Among his aspirations, there was one which was his favourite: "I believe in you, my God, increase my faith". It is this prayer that the Apostles direct to the Lord in the Gospel reading today (cf. Lk 17,6). Bl. Tommaso understood that faith is first of all a gift and a grace. No one can conquer it or obtain it by himself. One can only ask for it, implore it from on high. For that reason, enlightened by the teaching of the new Blessed, we never tire of asking the gift of faith, because "the just man will live by faith" (Hb 1,4).
8. The vital synthesis between contemplation and action, assimilated in the daily participation in the Eucharist, was the foundation of the spiritual experience and the burning charity of Bl. Eugenia Picco. In her life she made every effort to listen to the word of the Lord following the invitation of the Liturgy today (refrain for the responsorial psalm), never drawing back from the service which love of neighbour required. At Parma she took upon herself the poverty of the people responding to the needs of the young and of needy families and assisting the victims of the war that in this period made Europe suffer. Even in the face of suffering, with the inevitable moments of difficulty and bewilderment that it entails, Bl. Eugenia Picco knew how to transform the experience of suffering into an occasion of purification and inner growth. From Bl. Eugenia we can learn the art of listening to the voice of the Lord in order to be credible witnesses of the Gospel of charity in the opening years of the millennium.
9. "God is wonderful in his
saints!". With the communities in which the Blessed lived and for which
they spent their best human and spiritual energies, we want to thank God, who
is "wonderful in his saints". At the same time, we ask Him through
their intercession, to help us respond with renewed eagerness to the universal
call to holiness. Amen.
© Copyright - Libreria Editrice
Vaticana
Beato Nicola Gross Martire
Niederweningern, Essen, 30 settembre
1898 - 15 gennaio 1945
Emblema: Palma
Martirologio Romano: A Berlino
in Germania, beato Nicola Gross, padre di famiglia e martire: attivamente
impegnato nell’ambito sociale, per non operare contro i comandamenti di Dio si
oppose con ogni mezzo a un empio regime avverso all’umana dignità e alla fede;
per questo fu gettato in carcere e, attraverso il supplizio dell’impiccagione,
divenne partecipe della vittoria di Cristo.
“Qualche volta sembra che il cuore mi diventi
pesante e che il compito divenga insuperabile se misuro l'imperfezione e
l'insufficienza umana di fronte alla gran¬dezza dell'impegno e al peso della
responsabilità”: a scrivere così, nel 1943, è un uomo di 45 anni, nel pieno
della sua maturità e, quindi, pienamente consapevole delle scelte già fatte e
che deve fare. A fargli problema è la conciliabilità tra il suo essere
cristiano e padre di famiglia con la partecipazione al complotto per rovesciare
il regime di Hitler: in quanto padre di famiglia sa di rischiare la vita e di
gettare sul lastrico moglie e figli; in quanto cristiano è cosciente che
l’attentato a Hitler ne può causare anche l’eliminazione fisica, con tutti i
problemi morali che questo comporta. Sceglie la parte più rischiosa, che lo
porta non a partecipare attivamente all’attentato (pur essendo a conoscenza di
tutti i dettagli), ma piuttosto a risvegliare le coscienze e a suscitare
opposizione al regime mediante i suoi scritti e le sue conferenze. E a chi,
alla vigilia dell’attentato a Hitler gli ricorda i rischi cui va incontro e i
suoi doveri di padre, risponde senza esitazione: “Se oggi non impegniamo la
nostra vita, come pretenderemo poi di stare al cospetto di Dio e del nostro
popolo?”.
Nikolaus Gross nasce in Germania, il 30 settembre 1898, aNiederwenigern,
piccolo centro del bacino della Ruhr, vicino alla città di Essen, all’interno
di un’umile famiglia, il cui papà è un semplice fabbro di miniera. E in miniera
anche Nicola va a lavorare a 22 anni, prima come manovratore di carrelli per il
trasporto dei minerali e poi come minatore. La fede che ha respirato in
famiglia lo spinge subito a schierarsi dalla parte dei più deboli, con
un’intensa attività sindacale, con lo scopo di migliorare le sorti delle
famiglie più disagiate e degli operai più sfruttati. Con notevoli sacrifici e
utilizzando il suo poco tempo libero, riesce a migliorare la sua istruzione e,
grazie anche alla sua facilità di penna, si avvia nel mondo giornalistico,
diventando caporedattore di un giornale sindacale, dalle cui colonne riesce ad
offrire orientamenti agli operai cattolici in molte questioni che riguardavano
la società ed il mondo del lavoro. Nel 1923 si sposa con Elisabetta Koch, dalla
quale gli nascono sette figli ed allora la sua “profonda e continua
preoccupazione riguarda i sette che devono diventare delle persone capaci, sincere
e forti nella fede”.
I suoi doveri di padre, tuttavia,non spengono il suo impegno civile, e subito
si contraddistingue per una ferma opposizione all’idea nazionalsocialista di
Hitler, ancor prima che questi raggiunga il potere. Fin dall’inizio (già nel
1929/30, tanto per intenderci) per lui i nazisti sono “nemici mortali dello
stato moderno”, contestando loro anche “immaturità politica” e “carenza di
discernimento”, fino ad arrivare a scrivere: “Come lavoratori cattolici
rifiutiamo il nazionalsocialismo non solo per motivi politici ed economici, ma
in particolare anche per il nostro atteggiamento religioso e culturale, in modo
chiaro e deciso”. Le sue idee circolano prima sul giornale del sindacato e,
quando i nazisti glielo fanno chiudere, su quaderni clandestini che stampa a e
diffonde per educare le coscienze dei lavoratori e far circolare i valori
autentici che il regime ha messo in forte crisi. Malgrado tutto è ottimista:
“il buio non è senza luce; la speranza e la fede, che sempre ci precedono, attraverso
l'oscurità fanno già presagire l’alba”, scrive nel 1943. Crede che “la maggior
parte delle grandi prestazioni nasce dall'adempimento giornaliero del dovere
nelle piccole cose quotidiane”, nelle quali egli si esercita con fedeltà
ammirevole.
Il 12 agosto 1944 viene arrestato in relazione al fallito attentato contro
Hitler, al quale, pur senza partecipare direttamente, ha dato il suo appoggio
morale. Prima nel carcere di Ravensbrück, poi in quello di Berlino, attende
nella preghiera la sentenza di morte, che viene pronunciata il 15 gennaio 1945,
ma che in realtà era già scritta fin dal giorno dell’arresto: “per alto
tradimento e con la pena dell'impiccagione”, perché “nuotava insieme agli altri
nella corrente del tradimento e quindi vi deve anche affogare! “. Impiccato nel
pomeriggio del successivo 23 gennaio, come traditore gli viene negato il
diritto alla sepoltura e, per non correre il rischio di trasformarlo in
martire, il cadavere viene cremato e le ceneri disperse sui campi gelati. Tanto
non è bastato, evidentemente, per impedire alla Chiesa di proclamarlo beato e
martire il 7 ottobre 2001.
Autore: Gianpiero Pettiti
Nikolaus Gross, un uomo come noi per estrazione e
posizione sociale, nato il 30 settembre 1898, figlio di un fabbro di miniera a Niederweningern
— vicino alla città di Essen — frequentò dal 1905 al 1912 la scuola elementare
cattolica locale. Dapprima lavorò in un laminatoio e poi come manovale, quindi
come minatore in una miniera di carbone dove per cinque anni svolse il suo
lavoro in galleria.
Nel poco tempo libero cercò di migliorare la sua istruzione. Nel 1917 entrò a
far parte del Gewerkverein christlicher Bergarbeiter, l'associazione sindacale
dei minatori cristiani, nel 1918 nel partito Zentrumspartei e nel 1919 divenne
membro dell'Antonius Knappenverein (KAB) di Niederwenigern. Già a 22 anni
divenne segretario della sezione giovanile dell'associazione sindacale
Christliche Bergarbeitergewerkschaft, solo un anno più tardi aiuto redattore
della rivista Bergknappe. La sua ulteriore attività sindacale lo portò a
Waldenburg in Slesia e, con una tappa intermedia a Zwickau, di nuovo nella Ruhr
a Bottrop.
Nel frattempo aveva sposato Elisabeth Koch di Niederwenigern che nel corso di
un felice matrimonio gli donò sette figli. Amava la sua famiglia più di ogni
cosa e fu un padre esemplare, caratterizzato da un profondo senso di
responsabilità nell'istruzione e nell'educazione alla fede.
All'inizio del 1927 diventa aiuto redattore presso
la Westdeutsche Arbeiterzeitung, l'organo del KAB, di cui viene promosso ben
presto capo redattore. Qui può offrire orientamento agli operai cattolici in molte questioni
che riguardano la società ed il mondo del lavoro, con questo diventa sempre più
chiaro che per lui le sfide politiche contengono un aspetto morale e che i
compiti sociali non si possono risolvere senza sforzi spirituali. Il redattore
diventa un apostolo della fede di cui dare testimonianza anche nella stampa.
Quando con questa funzione si trasferisce nella Ketteler Haus di Colonia, cioè
nel 1929, ha già un chiaro giudizio sul nazionalsocialismo che sta nascendo.
Partendo dal principio del Vescovo Ketteler che la riforma della situazione
sociale si può raggiungere solo con una riforma dell'atteggiamento interiore,
ravvisa «immaturità politica» e «carenza di discernimento» nei successi dei
nazionalsocialisti nella società. Già allora
definisce i nazisti come «nemici mortali dello stato odierno». Come redattore
dell'organo del KAB scrive il 14 settembre 1930: «Come lavoratori cattolici
rifiutiamo il nazionalsocialismo non solo per motivi politici ed economici, ma
in particolare anche per il nostro atteggiamento religioso e culturale in modo
chiaro e deciso».
Già alcuni mesi dopo la presa del potere di Hitler nel 1933 il leader del
Deutsche Arbeiterfront, Robert Ley, definì la Westdeutsche Arbeiterzeitung del
KAB «nemica dello stato». Nel periodo, successivo Groß cercò di salvare il
giornale dalla soppressione senza dover fare dei compromessi nel contenuto. Da
allora in poi riuscì a scrivere tra le righe in modo che le persone addentro lo
capissero. Nel novembre del 1938 il giornale dei lavoratori, nel frattempo
ribattezzato Kettelerwacht, venne vietato definitivamente. Groß, che aveva
dovuto lottare molto per la sua qualifica, non era un grande oratore, ma
parlava in modo persuasivo, caloroso e convincente. Il fatto che Nikolaus Groß
si unisse all'opposizione in Germania, derivò dalla sua convinzione nella fede
cattolica. Per lui era valido il principio «che si deve obbedire più a Dio che
all'uomo. Se ci viene chiesto qualcosa contrario a Dio o alla fede, non solo è
nostro dovere morale, ma è anche nostro dovere assoluto rifiutare di obbedire
(agli uomini)». Così scriveva Nikolaus Groß nel 1943 riguardo alla dottrina
religiosa. Sempre più chiaramente si rendeva conto che questa situazione in
Germania si sarebbe raggiunta sotto il regime di Hitler.
Le comuni riflessioni vennero fissate da Groß in due annotazioni, che poi
caddero nelle mani della Gestapo: Die großen Aufgaben e Ist Deutschland
verloren? che contribuirono alla sua condanna.
A partire dal 1940 Groß dovette subire interrogatori e perquisizioni. Dopo che
il giornale dell'associazione venne vietato pubblicò una serie di brevi scritti
che avevano lo scopo di fortificare nei lavoratori la coscienza nella fede e
nei valori etici.
La risposta ai motivi che spingevano uomini come Nikolaus Groß la troviamo
nelle memorie del noto padre spirituale di tanti uomini, il prelato Caspar
Schulte di Paderborn, che dice: «Nei miei molti colloqui, soprattutto con
Nikolaus Groß ed il presidente ecclesiastico dell'associazione Otto Müller, ho
imparato a conoscere e ad ammirare la grandezza morale di questi uomini». Non
sono andati a morire casualmente. Hanno seguito la loro strada anche pronti ad
affrontare una morte dolorosa per il bene della libertà. Il giorno prima
dell'attentato dissi a Nikolaus Groß: «Signor Groß, non si dimentichi che ha
sette figli. Io non ho la responsabilità di una famiglia. Si tratta della sua
vita». E Groß mi diede una risposta degna della sua vera grandezza spirituale:
«Se oggi non ci impegniamo con la vita, come vogliamo superare la nostra prova
davanti a Dio e al nostro popolo?».
Dopo l'attentato, fallito, del 20 luglio 1944 gli eventi precipitarono. Groß,
che non aveva partecipato direttamente alla sua preparazione ed esecuzione,
venne arrestato il 12 agosto 1944 verso mezzogiorno a casa sua e portato
dapprima nel carcere di Ravensbrück e poi in quello di Tegel a Berlino. La
moglie Elisabeth venne due volte a Berlino a trovarlo. Essa riferì di chiari
segni di torture alle mani e alle braccia. Le lettere dal carcere di Nikolaus
Groß testimoniano in modo convincente che per lui la preghiera continua fosse
la fonte di forza nella sua posizione difficile e, alla fine, disperata. Non
c'è quasi lettera in cui non si lasci sfuggire l'occasione di chiedere alla
moglie e ai figli di pregare continuamente come lui stesso pregava giorno dopo
giorno per la sua famiglia.
Nella preghiera si sapeva legato alla famiglia, allo stesso tempo però anche in
uno scambio continuo con Dio.
Nelle sue lettere Nikolaus Groß mostra continuamente di credere che il suo
destino ed il destino della sua famiglia era nelle manidi Dio.
Il 15 gennaio 1945 venne pronunciata la sentenza di morte da parte del
Presidente del tribunale del popolo Roland Freisler. L'osservazione finale nei
verbali ed in realtà l'unica motivazione della sentenza: «Nuotava insieme agli
altri nella corrente del tradimento e quindi vi deve anche affogare!». I
nazisti non facevano dei martiri. All'impiccato non concessero una tomba: per i
fautori di menzogne e di odio c'era solo la brutale eliminazione.
La testimonianza della verità e della fede non si può però estinguere, continua
a vivere in coloro che ci hanno preceduto, illuminando il nostro cammino. Il
cappellano del carcere Buchholz, che da un nascondiglio diede la benedizione al
condannato a morte per il suo ultimo breve tragitto, riferì poi: «Groß abbassò
il capo in silenzio. Il suo viso sembrava già illuminato dallo splendore dal
quale stava per venire accolto».
La sepoltura cristiana gli venne negata dal partito al potere e il suo cadavere
venne cremato e le ceneri disperse sui campi gelati.
Fonte:
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