Blessed Jakob Gapp

Biography

Blessed Jakob Gapp, also known as Jacob Gapp or Jakub Gapp, was born on 26 July 1897 in Wattens, Tyrol, Austria. He was the seventh child of Martin Gapp and Antonia Wach, who belonged to the working class. After receiving a basic education in his hometown, Jakob entered the Franciscan high school in Hall in 1910.

In May 1915, Jakob enlisted as an Austrian soldier and served on the Italian front until 1916, when he was wounded. For his bravery, he was awarded the silver medal of Courage Second Class. Unfortunately, on 4 November 1918, he became a prisoner of 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 Austria in 1921. He was then assigned to the Marian Institute in Graz, where he served as a teacher and sacristan for four years while preparing for the seminary. On 27 August 1925, Jakob made his profession at Antony, France, and shortly after, in September of that year, he entered the International Marianist Seminary in Fribourg, Switzerland. Bishop Marius Besson ordained him at Saint Nicholas Cathedral in Fribourg on 5 April 1930.

Returning to Austria, Jakob worked as a teacher, director of religious education, and chaplain in various Marianist schools until 1938. During this time, he faced challenging economic conditions and showed his dedication to helping others by collecting food and necessities for the poor. He even selflessly shared his own heating coal with those in need.

As Nazism gained momentum in Germany and Austria, Jakob Gapp recognized the incompatibility between Nazism and Christianity. He courageously began preaching against the ideology, emphasizing the truth that it posed a threat to religious values. When German troops entered Austria in March 1938, foreseeing the danger, he left Graz. His superiors decided to send him home, believing that his anti-Nazi stance would provoke the wrath of the Reich, even though his institutions were already marked for destruction.

In the peaceful moments he enjoyed in Tirol, Jakob served as an assistant pastor in Breitenwang-Reutte for two months. However, the Gestapo issued an order in October 1938, prohibiting him from teaching religion. Despite this restriction, Father Gapp continued to teach uncompromising love for all people, irrespective of nationality or religion, asserting that "God is your God, not Adolf Hitler." In a sermon on 11 December 1938, he defended Pope Pius XI against Nazi attacks and encouraged parishioners to focus on reading Catholic literature instead of Nazi propaganda. As a result, he was advised to leave the country.

Jakob Gapp managed to escape to Bordeaux, France, where he found work as a chaplain and librarian. In May 1939, he moved to Spain, serving in Marianist communities in San Sebastian, Cadiz, and Valencia. However, the Gestapo continued to pursue him, leading to a tragic incident in 1942 when he received word from two individuals claiming to be Jewish refugees from Berlin, Germany, requesting instruction in Catholicism. Jakob crossed the border into France to minister to them, but instead, they abducted him.

Father Gapp was arrested on 9 November 1942 in Hendaye, France, and subsequently brought to Berlin. On 2 July 1943, he was condemned to death for his vocal opposition to the Nazi regime. The Nazis denied him a proper burial, fearing that his grave would become a site of silent demonstration and rebellion if he were viewed as a martyr. Instead, Jakob's remains were used for research at the Anatomical-Biological Institute of the University of Berlin.

Finally, on the afternoon of 13 August 1943, Jakob Gapp was informed that he would be executed that night. Before his martyrdom, he wrote two emotionally moving farewell letters. His unwavering commitment to his faith and his outspoken resistance against the Reich remain a testament to his courage and dedication to the teachings of Christianity.

Blessed Jakob Gapp's martyrdom was recognized by Pope John Paul II on 6 April 1995 when he issued a decree of martyrdom, and he was subsequently beatified on 24 November 1996 by the same Pope. His feast day is celebrated on 13 August.