Blessed Karl of Austria

Stored in Cargo: Blessed Karl of Austria

Blessed Karl of Austria
Feast Day	October 21
Liturgical Class
Patronage	world peace
Birthplace	Persenbeug-Gottsdorf, Lower Austria, Austria-Hungary
Death Place	Funchal, Madeira, Portugal
Cause of Death	natural causes
Primary Shrine	Church of Nossa Senhora do Monte, Funchal, Madeira, Portugal

Blessed Karl of Austria (German: Karl von Österreich; Hungarian: I. Károly; 17 August 1887 – 1 April 1922), born Karl Franz Joseph Ludwig Hubert Georg Otto Maria, was the last Emperor of Austria, King of Hungary, and ruler of the Austro-Hungarian Empire from 1916 until its dissolution in 1918. According to verified historical records from imperial archives and Vatican documents, Karl was born at Persenbeug Castle in Lower Austria to Archduke Otto Franz and Princess Maria Josepha of Saxony, ascending unexpectedly after the 1914 assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand. Crowned in Budapest in 1916, he pursued peace initiatives during World War I, supporting Pope Benedict XV's efforts, while implementing social reforms and protecting Jewish communities.

Exiled to Madeira after failed restoration attempts, Karl died in poverty on 1 April 1922, offering his sufferings for his peoples' peace. Beatified on 3 October 2004 by Pope John Paul II after authenticated miracles—including the 1960 healing of Brazilian nun Sister Maria Zita Gradowska from severe varicose ulcers—his cause emphasized heroic virtue in governance and family life. His feast day, October 21 (wedding anniversary), highlights consecrated matrimony. While hagiographic traditions describe battlefield protections and prophetic insights—these derive from devotional testimonies without independent verification—his documented legacy includes opposition to poison gas and promotion of federalism. As of 2025, his cause awaits a second miracle for canonization.

Biography

Birth

Karl Franz Joseph was born on 17 August 1887 at Persenbeug Castle, Lower Austria, to Archduke Otto Franz and Princess Maria Josepha of Saxony.

Early Life

Raised in piety, educated by tutors, Karl married Princess Zita of Bourbon-Parma on 21 October 1911; they had eight children.

Occupation

Archduke; Emperor of Austria and King of Hungary 1916–1918.

Vocation

Karl’s royal vocation emphasized service and peace; he sought Benedict XV’s mediation and refused abdication.

Death

Exiled to Madeira, Karl died of pneumonia on 1 April 1922 in Funchal, aged 34.

Blessed Karl of Austria met his end peacefully in youth.

Significant events

• Married Zita of Bourbon-Parma, 1911.
• Ascended throne, 1916.
• Issued peace manifesto, 1917.
• Exiled to Madeira, 1921.
• Died in Funchal, 1922.

Significant locations

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Legend

• Birth location: Persenbeug-Gottsdorf, Lower Austria, Austria-Hungary
• Death location: Funchal, Madeira, Portugal
• Notable location: Birthplace (Persenbeug Castle, Persenbeug-Gottsdorf, Lower Austria, Austria)
• Notable location: Imperial residence (Hofburg Palace, Michaelerkuppel, 1010 Vienna, Austria)
• Notable location: Summer imperial residence (Schönbrunn Palace, Schönbrunner Schloßstraße 47, 1130 Vienna, Austria)
• Notable location: Tomb and primary shrine (Church of Nossa Senhora do Monte, Caminho do Monte 174, 9050-288 Funchal, Madeira, Portugal)
• Notable location: Heart burial with Empress Zita (Muri Abbey, Muri, Aargau, Switzerland)

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Parishes

Blessed Karl of Austria
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Shrines

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Canonization

Servant of God

Cause opened 1949.

Venerable

Declared Venerable 1954.

Beatification

Beatified 3 October 2004 by Pope John Paul II.

Canonization

Not canonized; second miracle under investigation as of 2025.

Miracles

Authenticated miracle for beatification: healing of Sister Maria Zita Gradowska from varicose ulcers.

Patronage

Blessed Karl of Austria is invoked for world peace.

Feast day

October 21

Veneration

Blessed Karl of Austria is venerated on October 21 with Masses for peace. Tomb at Nossa Senhora do Monte, Madeira; heart at Muri Abbey, Switzerland.

External links

• Holy See: Beatification Homily
• Britannica: Charles I