Jakob Franz Alexander Kern was an Austrian Premonstratensian priest who lived from 1897 to 1924. Born in Vienna, he felt a strong calling to the priesthood from a young age, a vocation encouraged by his mother. During the First World War, he served as a lieutenant in the Austro-Hungarian army, where he sustained a severe lung injury. This wound, along with subsequent health complications, significantly hindered his theological studies and physical well-being. He is remembered for his profound devotion to the Eucharist and his willingness to embrace suffering.
Life and service
After entering the seminary in Hollabrunn, Kern joined the Premonstratensian order and later the Secular Franciscan Order. His military service on the Italian front resulted in a permanent lung injury. Despite his failing health, he continued his religious path, being ordained a priest in 1922. He was known for his intense periods of Eucharistic adoration and his desire to share in the sufferings of Christ, a wish he felt was answered through his wartime injuries.
Death and veneration
Kern died in Vienna in 1924 following a surgical procedure. He had anticipated his passing, expressing to others that he would not survive the operation. He was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1998 during a visit to Austria. The Catholic Church commemorates him on October 20, the date of his death, honoring his life of faith and devotion.