Courageous Witnesses · Week 1 · Grades 3–5
Guided Notes: St. Titus Brandsma
- Name
- Date
- Class
Follow along as your teacher presents. Fill in each section when its slide is on the screen.
A farm boy who loved books
Anno Brandsma was born on February 23, blank 1, on a dairy farm in the Netherlands. He was the fourth of six children.
Anno was small and often sick, so he could not do heavy farm work. But he loved to read and learn.
At 17 he joined the blank 2 friars and took the name Titus, his father’s name. He became a priest in 1905. Later he was a college professor and a journalist.
Words to know
Write what each word means.
| Word | What it means |
|---|---|
| Carmelite | Write your answer |
| Journalist | Write your answer |
| Propaganda | Write your answer |
| Martyr | Write your answer |
| Canonized | Write your answer |
Saying no to the Nazis
In May blank 3, Nazi Germany invaded the Netherlands. The Nazis made rules against Jewish people and tried to control schools and newspapers.
In January 1942, they ordered blank 4 newspapers to print Nazi ads and articles. The bishops said no. Father Titus carried the bishops’ letter to newspaper editors around the country.
He was arrested on January 19, 1942, and later sent to a prison camp called blank 5. He shared his food and prayed for the guards. He died there on July 26, 1942.
Quick check
What did Father Titus carry to newspaper editors? Circle one.
- A Money to buy new printing presses
- B The bishops’ letter saying no
- C A list of Nazi ads to print
Truth or not?
Father Titus would not help spread lies. Sort each online choice. Check one box for each.
| Item | Stands up for truth | Helps a lie spread |
|---|---|---|
| Checking with an adult before believing a wild video | ||
| Forwarding a rumor about a classmate | ||
| Telling a friend, “I am not sure that is true” | ||
| Sharing a scary story without knowing who made it | ||
| Admitting it when you posted something wrong | ||
| Liking a mean post so you fit in |
Quick check
How did Father Titus treat the guards who hurt him? Circle one.
- A He prayed for them
- B He shouted at them
- C He hid from them
Think, pair, share
Father Titus refused to pass along lies, even when it was dangerous. When is it hard to tell the truth or stop a rumor, in person or on a screen?
Think: my idea before we talk
Sentence starters: “It is hard to tell the truth when ...”“One way I can stop a rumor is ...”
Pair: something my partner said
Let us pray
“You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
John 8:32
Jesus, you are always with us.
Give us courage to tell the truth and to be kind.
St. Titus Brandsma, pray for us.
Amen.
My own prayer or intention:
Well done!
Pope Francis canonized Titus Brandsma on May 15, 2022. His feast day is July 27.
One thing I learned today:
One question I still have:
Challenge: This week, before you repeat or share something, ask: is it true, and is it kind?