Born in 1887, Karl of Austria was from the family of nobles that governed the Holy Roman Empire. His parents were very devout but Karl didn’t just learn the faith, he embraced it. The assassination of his uncle, Archduke Ferdinand, started World War I, and Karl led troops on the front lines. When his grand-uncle died in 1916, Karl ascended to the throne and tried unsuccessfully to bring a peaceful end to the war. “Heavy is the head that wears the crown”, and on the homefront, Emperor Karl embodied everything a king should be. He was humble and kind, loved his people, and he created social programs to help the poor and protect families and children. After the end of the war, he was forced into exile, where he lived in poverty and died of pneumonia at the age of only 34.
CHALLENGE
In 1911, Blessed Karl of Austria married Princess Zita, whom he had known since his childhood, and he told his bride, “Now we must help each other to get to heaven.” Marriages fail when husband and wife forget this, and now more than ever marriage and the family are under attack. Whom do you know whose marriage is going through rough times? Today, lovingly remind them of this grave responsibility.
