Blessed Karl of Austria

I was born in 1887 in the Castle of Persenbeug in Austria, to Archduke Otto and Princess Maria Josephine of Saxony. I was given a Catholic education and had a deep devotion to the Holy Eucharist. I prayed before making any important decisions. In 1911, I married Princess Zita. We had eight children during our happy married life. Unexpectedly, I became the heir to the throne of the Austro-Hungarian Empire shortly before World War I because of the death of the Archduke Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo. In 1916, I became Emperor of Austria. Also in this office, I wanted only to follow Christ, dedicating my life to the service of the people entrusted to me. I worked for peace in that terrible war. Among politicians, I was one of the very few supporers of the Pope’s peace efforts. At the dissolution of my empire, I was banished from my country. I was exiled to the island of Madeira. Reduced to poverty, I lived in a very humble house and fell ill. I died in 1922.