Blessed Rupert Mayer

Biography

Blessed Rupert Mayer, also known as The Apostle of Munich and The Limping Priest, was born on January 23, 1876 in Stuttgart, Germany. As a young man, he felt a strong call to the priesthood and pursued his studies in philosophy and theology in Freiburg, Switzerland, as well as in Munich and Tübingen, Germany. He was ordained a priest in 1899.

After his ordination, Father Rupert served as an assistant pastor in Spaichingen, Germany, before joining the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) in Feldkirch, Austria in 1900. From 1906 to 1912, he embarked on parish missions, traveling across Germany, Switzerland, and the Netherlands to preach and spread the Catholic faith.

In 1912, Father Rupert was assigned to Munich, where he dedicated himself to helping migrants who had arrived in the city in search of employment. His compassionate work with these individuals endeared him to the community, and he became widely known as an advocate for the poor and marginalized.

When World War I broke out, Father Rupert volunteered as an army chaplain. Initially stationed in a camp hospital, he was soon promoted to captain and sent to the front lines in France, Poland, and Romania to minister to soldiers in the trenches. Despite the dangers, Father Rupert fearlessly went from man to man, offering spiritual support, administering the Sacraments, and providing encouragement. His unwavering commitment to the soldiers led him to be awarded the Iron Cross for bravery in December 1915, the first chaplain to receive such an honor. However, in December 1916, he was tragically injured by an exploding grenade on the Romanian front, resulting in the loss of his left leg.

After the war, Father Rupert returned to Munich and resumed his preaching, teaching, and youth ministry. He also led retreats for priests, providing them with spiritual guidance and support. During this time, he experienced the short-lived communist-inspired "Bavarian Republic" from 1918 to 1919.

In 1921, Father Rupert became the leader of the Marian Congregation in Munich. He used this platform to publicly proclaim that Nazism was incompatible with Christianity, firmly stating that no Catholic could be a member of the Nazi party. His bold stance against the Nazis led to several arrests by the Gestapo, including a six-month period of "protective custody" starting on May 16, 1937. Following this, he was sent to the Sachsenhausen concentration camp for seven months. Concerned that his death would inflame anti-Nazi sentiments and make him a martyr, he was released from the camp in 1939 on the condition that he would remain in the Benedictine Abbey of Ettal and refrain from preaching.

In 1945, as Allied forces liberated Germany, Father Rupert was finally freed and returned to Munich. However, his health was declining, and he spent his last few months ministering to the faithful in his old parishes. Tragically, on November 1, 1945, while preaching during morning Mass at the church of Saint Michael in Munich, Father Rupert suffered a stroke and passed away. He was buried at the Jesuitenfriedhof in Pullach, Germany, which later became a pilgrimage site. In 1948, his remains were re-interred in the crypt of the Marian Congregation church, Bürgersaalkirche, in Munich.

Blessed Rupert Mayer's life and ministry were characterized by unwavering dedication to serving others, especially those most in need. Pope John Paul II recognized his heroic virtues, and on May 3, 1987, he was beatified in Munich, Germany. Today, Blessed Rupert Mayer's legacy as The Apostle of Munich continues to inspire countless individuals to live lives of selfless service and unwavering faith.