Blessed Karl, Emperor, King, and Confessor

Today is the Feast of Blessed Karl, Emperor and Confessor. His son, HIRH Otto was my youngest daughter's Godfather. I call him Karl der Friedliche (Karl the Peaceful) for his attempts at making peace during the Great War.

In life his Official Grand Title was,

His Imperial and Royal Apostolic Majesty, Karl the First, By the Grace of God, Emperor of Austria, Apostolic King of Hungary, of this name the Fourth, King 0f Bohemia, Dalmatia, Croatia, Slavonia, and Galicia, Lodomeria, and Illyria; King of Jerusalem, Archduke of Austria; Grand Duke of Tuscany and Cracow, Duke of Lorraine and of Salzburg, of Styria, of Carinthia, of Carniola and of the Bukovina; Grand Prince of Transylvania; Margrave of Moravia; Duke of Upper and Lower Silesia, of Modena, Parma, Piacenza and Guastalla, of Auschwitz and Zator, of Teschen, Friuli, Ragusa and Zara; Princely Count of Habsburg and Tyrol, of Kyburg, Gorizia and Gradisca; Prince of Trent and Brixen; Margrave of Upper and Lower Lusatia and in Istria; Count of Hohenems, Feldkirch, Bregenz, Sonnen

A few quotes from this man who managed to achieve holiness whilst being a married man and a father:

• "Now, we must help each other to get to Heaven." Addressing Empress Zita on 22 October 1911, the day after their wedding.
• "I am an officer with all my body and soul, but I do not see how anyone who sees his dearest relations leaving for the front can love war." Addressing Empress Zita after the outbreak of World War I.
• "I have done my duty, as I came here to do. As crowned King, I not only have a right, I also have a duty. I must uphold the right, the dignity and honor of the Crown.... For me, this is not something light. With the last breath of my life I must take the path of duty. Whatever I regret, Our Lord and Savior has led me."Addressing His Eminence János, Cardinal Csernoch after the defeat of his attempt to regain the Hungarian throne in 1921.
• "I must suffer like this so my people will come together again." Spoken in Madeira, during his last illness.
• "I can't go on much longer... Thy will be done... Yes... Yes... As you will it... Jesus!" His last words whilst contemplating a crucifix held by Empress Zita.

And two videos about Blessed Karl, both featuring Charles Coulombe, author of Blessed Charles of Austria: A Holy Emperor and His Legacy, just released from TAN last month.