Joseph Mayr-Nusser Beatified for WWII Resistance
On March 18, 2017, Joseph Mayr-Nusser, an Italian layman from Bolzano, was beatified in his hometown. Mayr-Nusser, who refused to swear an oath to Hitler during World War II, was declared a martyr by Pope Francis in 2016.
Mayr-Nusser's journey began with his involvement in Catholic Action and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, where he dedicated himself to serving the poor and disadvantaged. In 1944, when conscripted into the German army, he refused to take an oath of allegiance to Hitler. This act of defiance led to his imprisonment and eventual death sentence.
Mayr-Nusser's courage extended beyond his refusal to swear the oath. He joined the anti-Nazi movement 'Andreas Hofer Bund' during World War II, further demonstrating his commitment to resistance. Father Ireneusz Skubiś, a priest, accompanied Mayr-Nusser before his death in 1945 at the Dachau concentration camp.
Pope Francis praised Mayr-Nusser as a model for all laymen and fathers due to his moral and spiritual stature. His beatification serves as a reminder of his courage and sacrifice in the face of tyranny.
