St. Titus Brandsma, a Dutch Carmelite friar and martyr, is celebrated for his unwavering commitment to truth and his courageous resistance against Nazi oppression during World War II.
About St. Titus Brandsma
Given the birth name Anno, Brandsma and his siblings grew up on their parents’ dairy farm in rural Frisia. As devout Catholics, the family was in the minority among their Calvinist neighbors.
From age 11 Anno was educated at a preparatory school for boys who were studying for the priesthood. He joined the Carmelite novitiate in 1898, taking the name Titus in honor of his father.
In the years following his 1905 ordination, Brandsma received a doctorate in philosophy and initiated a project to translate the works of Saint Teresa of Avila into Dutch. One of the founders of the Catholic University of Nijmegen, he served as a professor of philosophy and the history of mysticism at the school. While there Brandsma was known more for his availability to faculty and students than for his academic achievements.
Working as a journalist Brandsma served as ecclesiastical advisor to Catholic journalists. His long-standing opposition to Nazi ideology came to the attention of the Nazis when they invaded the Netherlands in 1940. In direct opposition to the Third Reich, the Conference of Dutch Bishops sent a letter ordering Catholic newspaper editors not to print Nazi propaganda.
Fr. Brandsma was arrested while hand delivering the letter in January 1942. After being imprisoned in several other facilities, in June he was taken to the Dachau camp in Germany.
During his brief time at Dachau Fr. Brandsma was well-known for his kindness and spiritual support of other prisoners. His death on July 26, 1942 was a result of the Reich’s program of medical experimentation on prisoners.
He gave a wooden rosary to the nurse who administered the fatal injection; she later became Catholic and testified to his holiness. In recent years Brandsma has been honored by both the cities of Nijmegen and Dachau. Titus Brandsma was beatified in 1985, and canonized in 2022.
Why Pray the St. Titus Brandsma Novena?
Praying the St. Titus Brandsma Novena offers a profound opportunity for spiritual growth and intercession during times of need. St. Titus, known for his unwavering commitment to truth and his courageous stand against oppression, serves as an inspiring example for those seeking to live out their faith with integrity. Many believers turn to him for his intercession, hoping to receive grace and healing, both physically and spiritually.
The novena also fosters a sense of community among participants, uniting them in shared intentions and prayerful support. Ultimately, this devotional practice not only honors St. Titus’s legacy but also encourages personal reflection, inviting individuals to deepen their relationship with God and strengthen their resolve in facing life’s challenges.
St. Titus Brandsma Novena Prayers
Novena to St. Titus Brandsma is a nine-day prayer experience designed to deepen your faith, strengthen your relationship with God, and seek the powerful intercession of St. Titus Brandsma.
You can pray the St. Titus Brandsma Novena for any intention!
St. Titus Brandsma Novena Day 1
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Loving God,
your servant Titus Brandsma laboured zealously in your vineyard
and gave his life freely because of his faith in you.
Through his intercession I ask for your mercy and help.
Heavenly Father, Titus never refused
when he was asked for help by your people.
In his name, I come to you with my needs:
(Mention your request here…)
Lord, help me always to imitate the great faith, generous love,
and burning zeal of Titus Brandsma.
Glorify your servant as he wished to glorify you. Amen.
Mary, Mother of Carmel, pray for us.
Titus Brandsma, Carmelite and Martyr, pray for us.
Amen.
Say 1: Our Father… Say 1: Hail Mary… Say 1: Glory Be…
St. Titus Brandsma Novena Day 2
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Loving God,
your servant Titus Brandsma laboured zealously in your vineyard
and gave his life freely because of his faith in you.
Through his intercession I ask for your mercy and help.
Heavenly Father, Titus never refused
when he was asked for help by your people.
In his name, I come to you with my needs:
(Mention your request here…)
Lord, help me always to imitate the great faith, generous love,
and burning zeal of Titus Brandsma.
Glorify your servant as he wished to glorify you. Amen.
Mary, Mother of Carmel, pray for us.
Titus Brandsma, Carmelite and Martyr, pray for us.
Amen.
Say 1: Our Father… Say 1: Hail Mary… Say 1: Glory Be…
St. Titus Brandsma Novena Day 3
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Loving God,
your servant Titus Brandsma laboured zealously in your vineyard
and gave his life freely because of his faith in you.
Through his intercession I ask for your mercy and help.
Heavenly Father, Titus never refused
when he was asked for help by your people.
In his name, I come to you with my needs:
(Mention your request here…)
Lord, help me always to imitate the great faith, generous love,
and burning zeal of Titus Brandsma.
Glorify your servant as he wished to glorify you. Amen.
Mary, Mother of Carmel, pray for us.
Titus Brandsma, Carmelite and Martyr, pray for us.
Amen.
Say 1: Our Father… Say 1: Hail Mary… Say 1: Glory Be…
St. Titus Brandsma Novena Day 4
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Loving God,
your servant Titus Brandsma laboured zealously in your vineyard
and gave his life freely because of his faith in you.
Through his intercession I ask for your mercy and help.
Heavenly Father, Titus never refused
when he was asked for help by your people.
In his name, I come to you with my needs:
(Mention your request here…)
Lord, help me always to imitate the great faith, generous love,
and burning zeal of Titus Brandsma.
Glorify your servant as he wished to glorify you. Amen.
Mary, Mother of Carmel, pray for us.
Titus Brandsma, Carmelite and Martyr, pray for us.
Amen.
Say 1: Our Father… Say 1: Hail Mary… Say 1: Glory Be…
St. Titus Brandsma Novena Day 5
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Loving God,
your servant Titus Brandsma laboured zealously in your vineyard
and gave his life freely because of his faith in you.
Through his intercession I ask for your mercy and help.
Heavenly Father, Titus never refused
when he was asked for help by your people.
In his name, I come to you with my needs:
(Mention your request here…)
Lord, help me always to imitate the great faith, generous love,
and burning zeal of Titus Brandsma.
Glorify your servant as he wished to glorify you. Amen.
Mary, Mother of Carmel, pray for us.
Titus Brandsma, Carmelite and Martyr, pray for us.
Amen.
Say 1: Our Father… Say 1: Hail Mary… Say 1: Glory Be…
St. Titus Brandsma Novena Day 6
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Loving God,
your servant Titus Brandsma laboured zealously in your vineyard
and gave his life freely because of his faith in you.
Through his intercession I ask for your mercy and help.
Heavenly Father, Titus never refused
when he was asked for help by your people.
In his name, I come to you with my needs:
(Mention your request here…)
Lord, help me always to imitate the great faith, generous love,
and burning zeal of Titus Brandsma.
Glorify your servant as he wished to glorify you. Amen.
Mary, Mother of Carmel, pray for us.
Titus Brandsma, Carmelite and Martyr, pray for us.
Amen.
Say 1: Our Father… Say 1: Hail Mary… Say 1: Glory Be…
St. Titus Brandsma Novena Day 7
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Loving God,
your servant Titus Brandsma laboured zealously in your vineyard
and gave his life freely because of his faith in you.
Through his intercession I ask for your mercy and help.
Heavenly Father, Titus never refused
when he was asked for help by your people.
In his name, I come to you with my needs:
(Mention your request here…)
Lord, help me always to imitate the great faith, generous love,
and burning zeal of Titus Brandsma.
Glorify your servant as he wished to glorify you. Amen.
Mary, Mother of Carmel, pray for us.
Titus Brandsma, Carmelite and Martyr, pray for us.
Amen.
Say 1: Our Father… Say 1: Hail Mary… Say 1: Glory Be…
St. Titus Brandsma Novena Day 8
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Loving God,
your servant Titus Brandsma laboured zealously in your vineyard
and gave his life freely because of his faith in you.
Through his intercession I ask for your mercy and help.
Heavenly Father, Titus never refused
when he was asked for help by your people.
In his name, I come to you with my needs:
(Mention your request here…)
Lord, help me always to imitate the great faith, generous love,
and burning zeal of Titus Brandsma.
Glorify your servant as he wished to glorify you. Amen.
Mary, Mother of Carmel, pray for us.
Titus Brandsma, Carmelite and Martyr, pray for us.
Amen.
Say 1: Our Father… Say 1: Hail Mary… Say 1: Glory Be…
St. Titus Brandsma Novena Day 9
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Loving God,
your servant Titus Brandsma laboured zealously in your vineyard
and gave his life freely because of his faith in you.
Through his intercession I ask for your mercy and help.
Heavenly Father, Titus never refused
when he was asked for help by your people.
In his name, I come to you with my needs:
(Mention your request here…)
Lord, help me always to imitate the great faith, generous love,
and burning zeal of Titus Brandsma.
Glorify your servant as he wished to glorify you. Amen.
Mary, Mother of Carmel, pray for us.
Titus Brandsma, Carmelite and Martyr, pray for us.
Amen.
Say 1: Our Father… Say 1: Hail Mary… Say 1: Glory Be…