Pandemic Days Offer Reflection, Thanksgiving

Blessed Karl awards a medal to a soldier on the front, ca. 1917

By Fr. Britton Hennessey

In light of recent events in my own life, perhaps my earlier writing about Blessed Karl through the lens of our current pandemic situation was premature. I previously lamented about the shared experiences I felt I had with him in being exiled from those in our care—for him because of political realities, for me because of the stay-at-home orders in the early months of 2020. But as I write this, I’m in my tenth day of convalescence after being diagnosed with COVID-19. When Blessed Karl suffered through his influenza and pneumonia, they were to be his end. For me, by the grace of God, it seems I will live on to continue in priestly ministry.

I was blessed to only have what they classify as a mild case, but it was not without its difficulties. The physical symptoms aside, I found that the greatest suffering was being unable to be there for those who depend on me. As I have read accounts of Blessed Karl’s illness in exile, I was moved by his desire to inconvenience no one, and yet, also, by the love with which Zita and his family surrounded him. I experienced this as well and will always be grateful to so many for their numerous kindnesses.

This illness, for me, though did not just deprive me of my health for a time, it deprived me of the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to preside at the wedding of my best friend. Though I have not disclosed this to them, my friend and his fiancée have long reminded me of a contemporary portrayal of Blessed Karl and his beloved Zita. The way they interact… the way they pray… the way they have endured may twists and turns in the months leading to their wedding—it’s clear how much they cherish each other. All throughout their preparations for their day, I have entrusted them to the intercession of Blessed Karl and Empress Zita, that like the union of this beautiful royal couple, their marriage, too, would be a witness of holiness to this world. On their wedding day in 1911, Karl said to Empress Zita, “Now, we must help each other to get to heaven.” Indeed, I know for my friend and his beloved new wife, this is also their stated goal.

But sainthood, especially in the sense of canonization, is not something that is easy to obtain. It is not something declared lightly. Sainthood is difficult to obtain because it requires one to demonstrate heroic virtue in the midst of a life fraught with difficulty and temptation. Blessed Karl, by the grace of God, is on the hopeful path to canonization after living with his beloved Zita a life of heroism and virtue. Their love withstood the stress of political upheaval, public scrutiny, personal tragedy, and so much more.

As I virtually watched my friends enter into a perpetual bond of Christian love with one another, in prayer, I again entrusted them to Blessed Karl and Empress Zita. It is my prayer for them that their love for God and each other shines light into a world of darkness. It is my prayer for them that they witness the Faith to a world seeking direction. It is my prayer for them that they, through their love, show heroic virtue as they navigate toward the eternal bliss of heaven.

This is my prayer for all married couples… virtue… holiness… sainthood.

May we all offer praise and thanksgiving to God!