Fr. Alfred Delp, S.J., was a heroic German Jesuit priest who was imprisoned and martyred by the Nazis in a Nazi death camp in 1945. At the time of his arrest, he was the Rector of St. Georg Church in Munich, and had a reputation for being a gripping, dynamic preacher, and one who was an outspoken critic of the Nazi regime. He was an important figure in the Resistance movement against Nazism.

Accused of conspiring against the Nazi government, he was arrested in 1944, tortured, imprisoned, and executed on Feb 2, 1945. While in prison, Fr. Delp was able to write a few meditations found in this book, which also includes his powerful reflections from prison during the Advent season about the profound spiritual meaning and lessons of Advent, as well as his sermons he gave on the season of Advent at his parish in Munich. These meditations were smuggled out of Berlin and read by friends and parishioners of St. Georg in Munich.

His approach to Advent, the season that prepares us for Christmas, is what Fr. Delp called an Advent of the heart. More than just preparing us for Christmas, it is a spiritual program, a way of life. He proclaimed that our personal, social and historical circumstances, even suffering, offer us entry into the true Advent, our personal journey toward a meeting and dialogue with God. Indeed, his own life, and great sufferings, illustrated the true Advent he preached and wrote about.

From his very prison cell he presented a timeless spiritual message, and in an extreme situation, his deep faith gave him the courage to draw closer to God, and to witness to the truth even at the cost of his own life. These meditations will challenge and inspire all Christians to embark upon that same spiritual journey toward union with God, a journey that will transform our lives.

As one of the last witnesses who knew Fr. Alfred Delp personally, I am very pleased this book will make him better known in America. The more one reads his writings, the more one clearly recognizes the prophetic message for our times! Like his contemporary, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Delp ranks among the great prophets who endured the horror of Nazism and handed down a powerful message for our times.
--Karl Kreuser, S.J., from the Foreword

Alfred Delp (1907-1945) was a German Jesuit executed by the Nazis for anti-Hitler activities. During his months in prison he composed a series of meditations on Advent, the Lord's Prayer, the tasks of the future, the meaning of happiness, and other spiritual themes. Written on the edge of eternity Delp's reflections bear a special power and poignancy. His words show the ongoing relevance of the Gospel in an age of idolatrous power and capricious violence. This volume includes a Biographic Preface by scholar Alan C. Mitchell and a moving Introduction by Father Thomas Merton.

2021 Reprint of the 1963 Edition. Full facsimile of the original edition and not reproduced with Optical Recognition Software. With an Introduction by Thomas Merton. These classic reflections on gospel wisdom from a modern martyr show the ongoing relevance of the gospel in an age of idolatrous power and capricious violence. Delp was a German Jesuit priest and philosopher of the German Resistance. A member of the inner Kreisau Circle resistance group, he is considered a significant figure in Catholic resistance to Nazism. Falsely implicated in the failed 1944 July Plot to overthrow Adolf Hitler, Delp was arrested and sentenced to death. He was executed in 1945.

Contents:

Introduction / Thomas Merton -- Extracts from Fr. Delp's diary -- Meditations: I. The people of Advent -- II. The Sundays of Advent -- III. The vigil of Christmas -- IV. The people of Christmas -- V. Epiphany 1945. Tasks in front of us: I. The future of man -- II. The education of man -- III. The fate of the churches. Making ready: I. The Our Father -- II. Come Holy Ghost. 5. The last stage: I. After the verdict -- II. Letter to the brethren.

Disturbing reminders...that pious formulas and clichés are not enough to combat evil.-Xavier Rynne, The New Yorker

What is most characteristic about these writings...is their absolute honesty and the absolute sincerity of their passion for man....Some of the most powerful spiritual writing of recent times.-Walter Arnold, Commonwealth

A searching commentary....These meditations of a priest ought to become the foci of those of every layman.-Eldon Talley, Cross Currents

Must rank as one of the great human and spiritual documents of our time.-The Boston Pilot

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This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it.

This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.

Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. To ensure a quality reading experience, this work has been proofread and republished using a format that seamlessly blends the original graphical elements with text in an easy-to-read typeface.

We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

Der Jesuitenpater Alfred Delp gehort zu den wichtigsten Widerstandskampfern gegen den Nationalsozialismus in Deutschland, die ihr Handeln aus dem Glauben und einem christlichen Menschenbild abgeleitet haben. Vom 7. August 1944 bis zu seiner Hinrichtung am 2. Februar 1945 schrieb Alfred Delp im Gefangnis in Berlin, trotz gefesselter Hande, unzahlige Briefe an die Menschen in seinem Umfeld. Sie enthalten Handlungsanweisungen zum Gerichtsprozess, Bitten um Besorgungen und Worte des Trostes und der Ermutigung. Neben den Briefen verfasste Delp spirituelle Texte, die sich tagesaktuell mit der Weihnachtszeit auseinandersetzen, sowie pragnante Abhandlungen uber die Zukunft Deutschlands. Erganzt werden die Texte durch Unterlagen zum Prozess vor dem Volksgerichtshof sowie zum Kreisauer Kreis. Die meditativen Texte, die Alfred Delp wahrend seiner Gefangenschaft in Berlin verfasst, zeugen von einem tiefen, ruhigen Gottvertrauen und dienen bis heute als Quelle der Inspiration und des Trostes. Ebenso geben die Briefe, die er an Freunde, Bekannte und Mitbruder schrieb, Zeugnis von hoffender Demut. Lasst uns dem Leben trauen, weil Gott es mit uns lebt. (Alfred Delp) .