Quote of the day, 6 March: St. Titus Brandsma

Again, my greetings from cell 577, where I have been for more than six weeks. I am growing accustomed to it. I am getting along, and my health is holding up. 

On the 21st, I had a bit of a temperature along with some pain, and I was afraid the bladder and kidney inflammation was returning as it did in December 1939. I asked to see a doctor, but when he showed up the next day, I was already much better. Now I am fine. 

Mentally, I am not suffering: I feel no need for either tears or sighs. Indeed, I even sing a bit, softly, of course. The worst thing is the nights: I cannot sleep so many hours, and so I lie awake much of the time.

Saint Titus Brandsma

Letter to his religious community and family, 5 March 1942
Chapter VIII, Apologia from prison (excerpt)

Arribas O.Carm., M 2021, The Price of Truth: Titus Brandsma, Carmelite, Carmelite Media, Darien, Illinois.

Featured image: A portrait drawing of Saint Titus Brandsma when he was imprisoned at Amersfoort Transit Camp (March 12-April 28, 1942). The artist, John Dons, captured the complete sadness of the concentration camp, yet he saw in Titus a willing acceptance of pain and a profound inner peace. Dons was later executed. Image credit: Nederlands Carmelitaans Instituut / Carmelite General Curia (used by permission)

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