He was the father of 8 children and was married to his wife, Zita for 11 years. He became the emperor in 1916 during World War I, and proclaimed peace as his primary goal.
Blessed Karl was born in Persenbeug in 1887. Even as a child, he was known to take on the needs of those around him. As King, he established the first social ministry in the world, which oversaw affairs such as employee welfare, industrial law, and social insurance.
What is most admirable about this man is his complete devotion to the holiness of his family. On the day before his betrothal to his wife, Servant of God Zita, he said to her, “Now, we must help each other go to Heaven.” On their wedding rings he had the phrase inscribed: “Sub tuum praesidium confugimus, Sancta Dei Genetrix”, that is, “We fly to thy protection, O Holy Mother of God.”
As emperor, he discussed all important affairs with his wife in full trust and confidence and made every decision prayerfully. Karl was especially devoted to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Blessed Virgin mary. On October 2, 1918, he consecrated his family and his entire empire to the Sacred Heart, renewing it on each First Friday. He was called “the Eucharistic emperor” by a bishop of his time for his ardent love for the Blessed Sacrament. He prayed with this family faithfully by night and day, and made sure to guide his children in the truths of their faith.
Despite his attempts to negotiate Austria-Hungary’s exit from the First World War and to preserve the empire, Austria-Hungary moved towards disintegration. After the Republic of German Austria was proclaimed, Emperor Karl was formally dethroned by the Austrian Parliament. He was banished into exile in 1919 and lived a life of poverty for the next 3 years.
He died of respiratory illness on April 1, 1922, on the island of Madeira, with the Holy Name of Jesus on his lips. His last words to his wife, were: “I love you endlessly.” He was 34 years old and his wife was pregnant with their eighth child.
In 2004, Pope John Paul II beatified Karl and chose his feast day as his wedding day, October 21st.
