Comments on: St. Zita?

By: Elfreda

Elfreda — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 17:18:09 +0000

Andrew, you say that “as Catholics, the Habsburgs opposed Hitler”, but isn’t it a sad fact that many Austrian Catholics actually supported the regime?

I’ve always thought that if the Habsburg had still been in power at the time, Austria would have been saved from that degradation.

By: Theodore Harvey

Theodore Harvey — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 21:13:11 +0000

I did as “Baron v Hetterscheidt” suggests, and it is indeed heartbreaking to be reminded of what was taken from us. While this is perhaps not the most profound reason to be a monarchist, I am particularly bitter about the fact that most of Europe’s ancient monarchies were never allowed to coexist with modern technologies that could have made their splendid pageantry accessible to all. How grand it would be to be able to watch the coronation of a King of France on television, or visit the official website of the reigning Habsburg emperor!

By: Embajador

Embajador — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 15:44:04 +0000

Just to add some colour to what v Hetterscheidt is saying, Xavier de Bourbon-Parme was named regent to the throne of Spain by Alfonso Carlos I, the last (so far) of the carlist kings. He (Xavier) spent sometime in various nazi concentration camps, including Dachau.

It is great news to hear about the beatification of Empress Zita.

By: Harold

Harold — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 14:26:40 +0000

I, too, am delighted to hear that Zita’s cause has been taken up. I will also pray that your remark about Charles being the last Habsburg Emperor – “to date” – will come to pass in an effort to promote peace and harmony!

By: Baron v Hetterscheidt

Baron v Hetterscheidt — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 09:48:09 +0000

Deeply satisfying news.
Two remarks: you and your readers should go to youtube and type in “King Charles IV”. The first clip to come up shows actual footage of the scene you depict at the beginning of this article. Words cannot express the reality of what is on view: go, gaze, weep for what was taken from us.
I spent a week at Solesmes in 1975. One day a visitor was waiting in the middle of the refectory for the arrival of the abbot. A tiny man of great age, he was dressed in the stye of the Twenties and held a pair of gloves in his palsied hands (I watched mesmerized as they shook). The Abbot walked up to him and lead him to the high table , where he sat in the place of honour. This was Francois Xavier de Bourbon-Parme, Zita’s brother, and the man who, with his brother Sixte, joined Karl in attempting to end the insane slaughter of the Great War. They failed, but can never be praised enough for their attempt.
It is no accident that it was the most “reactionary” forces in Europe which were the first to see the ruinous nature of that terrible conflict, any more than that it was the most “progressive” which sought to prolong it.