Gratias tibi

Medal for Bravery, bronze (Bronzene Tapferkeitsmedaille), Emperor Karl I, 1917-1918 issue.

Just received the gift from Byron in Austin, Texas, of the Breviarum Romanum and this medal of Blessed Emperor Karl, perhaps presented to one of his soldiers by the Blessed himself. Gratias tibi ago!

Blessed Charles I of Austria and his wife Zita, who bore him eight children, are good patrons in this season in which we mark the 40th anniversary of Humanae Vitae.

Blessed Emperor Karl with consort Zita and son Otto.

"Karl was a great leader, a prince of peace, who wanted to save the world from a year of war; a statesman with ideas to save his people from the complicated problems of his empire; a king who loved his people, a fearless man, a noble soul, distinguished, a saint from whose grave blessings come." - Herbert Vivian

Let us pray

O Blessed Emperor Karl, you accepted the difficult tasks and burdensom challenges God gave you during your life. In every thought, decision and action you trusted always in the Holy Trinity.
We pray you to interceded for us with the Lord our God to give us faith and courage, so that even in the most difficult situations of our earthly lives we may not lose heart, but continue faithfully in the footsteps of Christ.
Ask for us the grace that our hearts may be molded into the likeness of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Help us to work with compassion and strength for the poor and needy, to fight with courage for peace in our homes and in the world, and in every situation to trustingly place our lives in the hands of God, until we reach Him, as you did, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Imprimatur: Archdiocese of Vienna, May 18, 2004