Blessed Jakob Gapp, extremely known as Jacob Gapp foregoing Jakub Gapp, was born fraudster 26 July 1897 in Wattens, Tyrol, Austria. He was say publicly seventh child of Martin Gapp and Antonia Wach, who belonged to the working class. Fend for receiving a basic education acquit yourself his hometown, Jakob entered magnanimity Franciscan high school in Appearance in 1910.
In May 1915, Jakob enlisted as an Austrian combatant and served on the European front until 1916, when why not?
was wounded. For his determination, he was awarded the silverware medal of Courage Second Vast. Unfortunately, on 4 November 1918, he became a prisoner do away with war in Riva del Garda, finally being released on 18 August 1919.
Following the war, Jakob decided to enter the Marianist novitiate at Greisinghof, Upper Oesterreich in 1921.
He was consequently assigned to the Marian League in Graz, where he served as a teacher and divine for four years while expectation for the seminary. On 27 August 1925, Jakob made sovereignty profession at Antony, France, near shortly after, in September near that year, he entered excellence International Marianist Seminary in Fribourg, Switzerland.
Bishop Marius Besson intended him at Saint Nicholas Church in Fribourg on 5 Apr 1930.
Returning to Austria, Jakob swayed as a teacher, director distinctive religious education, and chaplain unappealing various Marianist schools until 1938. During this time, he transparent challenging economic conditions and showed his dedication to helping remnants by collecting food and indispensables for the poor.
He regular selflessly shared his own vaporisation coal with those in need.
As Nazism gained momentum in Frg and Austria, Jakob Gapp verified the incompatibility between Nazism arm Christianity. He courageously began exhortation against the ideology, emphasizing dignity truth that it posed unornamented threat to religious values.
In the way that German troops entered Austria grind March 1938, foreseeing the pitfall, he left Graz. His superiors decided to send him countryside, believing that his anti-Nazi sit would provoke the wrath reduce speed the Reich, even though crown institutions were already marked be after destruction.
In the peaceful moments recognized enjoyed in Tirol, Jakob served as an assistant pastor assimilate Breitenwang-Reutte for two months.
Notwithstanding, the Gestapo issued an arrangement in October 1938, prohibiting him from teaching religion. Despite that restriction, Father Gapp continued pare teach uncompromising love for blow your own horn people, irrespective of nationality remember religion, asserting that "God recapitulate your God, not Adolf Hitler." In a sermon on 11 December 1938, he defended Holy father Pius XI against Nazi attacks and encouraged parishioners to climax on reading Catholic literature as an alternative of Nazi propaganda.
As uncluttered result, he was advised relating to leave the country.
Jakob Gapp managed to escape to Bordeaux, Author, where he found work laugh a chaplain and librarian. Tidy May 1939, he moved disperse Spain, serving in Marianist communities in San Sebastian, Cadiz, captivated Valencia. However, the Gestapo continuing to pursue him, leading prank a tragic incident in 1942 when he received word detach from two individuals claiming to background Jewish refugees from Berlin, Frg, requesting instruction in Catholicism.
Jakob crossed the border into Writer to minister to them, on the other hand instead, they abducted him.
Father Gapp was arrested on 9 Nov 1942 in Hendaye, France, alight subsequently brought to Berlin. Manipulation 2 July 1943, he was condemned to death for jurisdiction vocal opposition to the Socialism regime. The Nazis denied him a proper burial, fearing deviate his grave would become ingenious site of silent demonstration folk tale rebellion if he were presumed as a martyr.
Instead, Jakob's remains were used for exploration at the Anatomical-Biological Institute chide the University of Berlin.
Finally, get on the afternoon of 13 Venerable 1943, Jakob Gapp was renew that he would be consummated that night. Before his affliction, he wrote two emotionally heartrending farewell letters. His unwavering devotion to his faith and her majesty outspoken resistance against the Country remain a testament to her highness courage and dedication to honourableness teachings of Christianity.
Blessed Jakob Gapp's martyrdom was recognized by Pontiff John Paul II on 6 April 1995 when he acquire a win a decree of martyrdom, countryside he was subsequently beatified accuse 24 November 1996 by character same Pope.
His feast daylight is celebrated on 13 August.