What Can We Learn from Blessed Karl of Austria About How to Manage Power and Money?

When we think of Saints, we think of amazing people who came before us and lived heroic lives for God. They worked to confirm their will to Gods will and nearly all of them paid for it with their lives. This holds true for a man that is not yet a saint, but is currently a Blessed. That is Blessed Karl of Austria. If you don’t know his story here is his biography from emporercharles.com

“Karl of the House of Austria was born on August 17, 1887, at Schloss Persenbeug in Lower Austria. His parents were Archduke Otto and Princess Maria Josepha of Saxony, daughter of the last king of Saxony. Emperor Franz Joseph I was Karl's great uncle.

From an early age, Karl fostered a great devotion to the Blessed Sacrament and the Sacred Heart of Jesus. He used prayer to guide him in making all important decisions. 

On October 21, 1911, he married Princess Zita of Bourbon-Parma. During the ten good years of their happy and exemplary marriage, the pair were given eight children. While on his death bed, Karl said to Zita: "I love you unceasingly!" 

On June 28, 1914, because of the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, Karl became the heir apparent of the throne of Austria-Hungary. In the middle of the First World War, the death of Emperor Franz Joseph on November 21, 1916, made Karl the Emperor of Austria. On December 20, 1916, he was crowned Apostolic King of Hungary. 

Karl also saw his duty as a way to follow Christ: by loving his people and being concerned and devoted to improving their lives. 

The most sacred obligation of a king—to provide peace—became the primary focus of Karl's efforts during this horrific war. The only world leader to do so, he support the peace proposals of Pope Benedict XV. 

During a most difficult time domestically, he offered extensive assistance to his people and gave example to them by passing social legislation in conformity with Catholic social teachings. 

His stance prevented civil war from occurring during the post-war transition of government. Yet still he was banished from his homeland. 

At the request of the pope, who feared that communism would overtake Central Europe, Karl attempted to restore his government and return to the throne of Hungary. Two attempts failed because he wanted to avoid civil war at all costs. Karl was then sent into exile on Madeira. He saw his abandonment there as a commission from God, a duty he could not put aside. 

He lived with his family in poverty, in a damp house. There, Karl contracted a fatal illness, which he accepted as a sacrifice to make for the peace and unity of his people. Karl endured his suffering without complaint, forgave everyone who had treated him unjustly, and died on April 1, 1922, with an almost holy countenance. The motto of his life, which he even said on his deathbed, was: "My entire endeavor has always been to clearly recognize the Will of God in all things and to follow it as completely as possible." 

On October 3, 2004, Pope Saint John Paul II beatified Emperor and King Karl.”

Karl was born into a royal family, that had deep-rooted Catholic faith. This is a shining example for those who are parents who have obtained financial and worldly success. It is still your duty to do what you can to pass on the faith, and it is possible even in a situation that may seem unlikely.

The next thing that flows from Karls faith and the faith of his parents was completely integrated into their work and money. Their faith drove their decisions to be a just ruler that is generous. As St. Paul tells us in 1 Timothy 6:10 “For the desire of money is the root of all evils; which some coveting have erred from the faith and have entangled themselves in many sorrows.” Karl kept the proper perspective that his desire was to live for God, not money and power.

Many saints gave up all their possessions they had to follow Christ more closely. Blessed Karl ended up in the same place, in poverty and premature death. But he got there, not by giving away his wealth and power but by using it boldly for Christ at the risk of losing it all. Which he ultimately did.

If you are like me, we fall short, frequently of what God is calling us to do. The temptations we have in this world are very strong. So strong that things that seem like they should be simple, become difficult. The church lays out pretty clearly what we need to do for us to get to heaven. Yet, its hard to follow. There are simple financial principles that if you follow them, you will be wealthy. However it takes time and discipline so often we would rather live for the moment. If we ate properly and exercised, we would be fit. But it feels good to sleep in rather than work out or eat a cookie instead of broccoli. If we can follow the mindset of Blessed Karl, maybe these things would become a little easier. "My entire endeavor has always been to clearly recognize the Will of God in all things and to follow it as completely as possible." 

Blessed Karl used his money and power for good, prayed, persevered in faith to the end, and most assuredly obtained his treasure in heaven.

Be bold and God Bless,

Phil Francois, CFP®
https://www.foundationwealthplanning.com/