Blessed James Kern

Beatified June 21, 1998

These words reveal the character of James Kern, a young priest of theNorbertine abbey of Geras, Austria, whose diocesan informative process for sainthood began in Vienna on March 18, 1958.

The chronicle of the abbey of Geras for September 30, 1956, records that a great procession of clergy and laity accompanied the body of James Francis Alexander Kern from the abbey cemetery to the abbey church. the body had been exhumed the previous day, revealing that the right forearm and hand -- so often raised in blessing --- were completely preserved, despite three fractures of the coffin's surface and the total decay of the rest of the body. The priest's remains were transferred to an oak casket and interred in the church's rear wall. The simple inscription read, "James Kern, born 1897, died 1924."

Francis Kern was born the son of a merchant in Vienna on April 11, 1897. The boy had already been placed under the protection of Mary, the Mother of God, by his pious and believing mother. Early in life, a great love of God possessed the boy, along with a desire to become a priest. "A child blessed by God" and a "little Saint" were the comments of people impressed by his long prayers in the parish church.

In the fall of 1908, Francis began his priesthood studies at the archbishop's minor seminary at Hollandbrun. He was a friendly; helpful, well- disposed companion to his classmates, who were amazed at his long hours of prayer in the chapel, when he seemed to forget everything else. They sometimes had to call him from the chapel for class or meals. Those hours of prayer taught friends that true love of God reveals itself above all in sacrifice and renunciation. Inflamed by such love, he decided to make an offering to the "Bridegroom of his soul," as he called his Savior. Hardly 14 years old, he dedicated his life to God through a vow of virginity. After one year, he renewed his vow for life on April 21, 1912.

In October, 1915,Francis was called to military service with the 59th Infantry Regiment in Salzburg . He was transferred to the 4th Tyrolean regiment in January, 1916, and was sent to Officer Training School at Voecklabruck a short time later. In the military, God remained the object of his thoughts and actions, prompting mockery and insults from his fellow soldiers. On May 15,1916, Francis was sent to the Italian front, where the men of his company soon came to call him their guardian angel and intercessor with God.

On January 1,1916,inspired by his love for God amid the horrors of war, Francis prayed that he be allowed to suffer for his Savior. Shortly thereafter, he received a serious chest wound. In the evacuation ambulance an attendant said, "Lieutenant, it looks like you're going to die. You should prepare yourself." Francis replied, "No, I'm not going to die yet. I shall still become a priest." Thus began his "Holy Week" - a period of suffering that would last until his death.

Although a raging infection prevented Francis' wound from healing properly, his doctors were astonished to see him recover from this critical state within months., He returned to Vienna during his sick leave in October 1917,entering the major seminary and resuming his studies despite severe hemorrhages. He was recalled to active duty the following February but returned to the seminary after his discharge. His classmates marveled at his affectionate and happy disposition in the face of constant suffering.

Paining the youngman more than his bodily trauma was his concern about the schism of the National Church of Czechoslovakia after World War I. One of the first leaders of the schism was Bogumil Zahradnik, a Norbertine canon from the abbey of Strahov in Prague. After consulting his seminary spiritual director, Francis decided to join the same Order the Canons Regular of Prémontré -- as a sin offering for the fallen-away priestsand their followers in the schism. In 1920, he entered the Norbertine abbey in Geras and was given the religious name of James. Convinced by experience that God wanted him to be an offering of suffering and a sacrifice of atonement, James willingly undertook the task. Though his pain intensified, he was never heard to complain or to regret his commitment. He bore all with patient cheer.

When James finished his novitiate and professed his first vows as a religious, the Abbot said in the homily that James had edified all his follow religious by his constant example and virtue. His greatest desire was fulfilled on July 23, 1922, when James was ordained to the priesthood in St. Stephen Cathedral in Vienna. The night before celebrating Mass for the first time in the convent of the Sisters at Voecklabruck, James suffered a particularly severe hemorrhage which nearly cancelled the celebration. When asked why this bitter draft had been added to his cup of joy, he laughingly replied, "That's what I deserve. I expect nothing less."

James assumed his priestly ministry with gusto. He undertook the care of souls - especially those of children and Young people - and spent much time preaching, hearing confessions, teaching in the schools, and praying in the church. All the while, he bore his suffering in silence and patience.

In August, 1923 surgeons removed four of James' ribs to allow free flow from the infected area of his body. During his long recuperation, James said,"In all times, God desires some men to work, other to suffer and if the Lord has chosen me to suffer, I will suffer as long as the Lord wants." He returned to the abbey of Geras and resumed his care of souls, in May 1924, but he soon suffered another severe hemorrhage. Though the doctors removed four more ribs in September, additional surgery was required almost immediately. Of his continued suffering,the young priest said: "It couldn't last so long if it were not for the love of God for me, and if I did not love Him so much."

Shortly before he died, James felt that he had been forsaken by God just as Jesus had felt on Calvary. A complete spiritual dryness left him unconsoled, even by the Eucharist. Bowing to God's will, however James said, "If God wants it this way, then I won't be sad about it." James had long desired to make his final profession of vows on Monday, October 20,1924 - a date also chosen by his doctors for yet another   operation. On October 18, James told his aunt "On Monday, I will not awaken from the operation." That Sunday evening James happily told his sister, a nurse: "Tomorrow at this time, I will already have seen the dear Mother of God and my guardian angel." He asked for Communion arrangements the following morning because "the first and last Communion should be especially solemn." On October 10, 1924 - as he had foretold - James went to his eternal home.

In the Catholic Church, moving to the status of a Blessed always requires a miracle.  In 1971, three-year old Harald Krehan began to manifest various health problems. After an examination revealed a tumor in Haralds' right brain, surgery was performed, but the tumor could not be entirely removed. When doctors gave the child less than two years to live, his parents took Harald to James Kern's tomb in the abbey church and asked for his intercession.

Ten days later, doctors confirmed that the boy's surgical would had completley healed and the tumor had disappeared. On July 11, 1995, Pope John Paul II declared that James Kern had observed the theological virtues of an heroic man and was therefore a servant of God. After much investigation, the Vatican certified Harald's cure as a miracle on July 7, 1997, opening the door for the declaration of James Kern as Blessed. Pope John Paul II raised James Kern to the status of Blessed in a ceremony in Vienna on June 21, 1998.