Giuseppe Federici Study Center – For a new onset
Press release no. 15/19 of the 20 February 2019, Sant'Eleuterio
Andreas Hofer, Catholic hero
Il 20 February 2019 marks the 210th anniversary of the death of Andreas Hofer, commander of the Catholic insurgency in Tyrol, shot in Mantua by Napoleon's troops. Andreas Hofer's faith emerges clearly from the last letter he wrote to his friend Puhler before the execution, which can be considered as his will.
Andreas Hofer's will
“Dearest brother, God's will is that I pass here in Mantua from life to eternity; May God be blessed for His divine grace that makes death as easy for me as if they took me to some other place (and not at execution). God will grant me to the end the grace of being able to reach the place where my soul can be happy forever with all the saints., where I will pray to God for everyone and especially for those to whom I am most indebted, also for you and your dear wife for the little book (of prayers) and other good works. All the good friends who still live here must also pray for me, to remove myself from the burning flames if I had to serve Purgatory again. My dearest landlady will have me say masses for San Martino in the Sanctuary of the Precious Blood. The inhabitants of the two parishes must be invited to the Mass (of San Leonardo and San Martino) and it will have to be given to friends during the funeral banquet in the tavern below (of his nephew Giovanni Griner) soup and meat plus half a measure of wine.
The money I had with me I divided among the poor. Take what's still left (in Passiria) as long as you need until you can talk to Hans Mayr. He will definitely tell people about money for the poor too. for the rest you deal with them, as honestly as you can, so that I do not have to atone in Purgatory.
Caro signor Phuler, go for me and explain the matter to the innkeeper below San Martino, He will certainly give instructions. But don't talk to anyone about these things; let it be given 50 florins and more (the refund) of all expenses.
Everyone stay safe in life until we meet again in heaven and praise God to you until the end. May all the inhabitants of Passeier and my acquaintances remember me in their prayers. Don't let the landlady feel too sad, I will pray to God for all of you. Goodbye, my infamous world, death seems so easy to me that my eyes don't get wet.
Written at five in the morning, and at nine with the help of all the saints I will make my journey towards God.
Mantua, li 20 February 1810
Your beloved Andreas Hofer from Sand in Passiria. In the name of the Lord I will begin the journey with God! Let Morandell know too”.
The Andreas Hofer museum in Val Passiria, in the birthplace
http://www.museum.passeier.it/it
The song Zu Mantua in Banden:
https://youtu.be/tn2ZGGEz4_k
Translation into Italian:
In Mantua he was in chains
the brave Hofer,
in Mantua at his death
the enemy ranks carry him.
His brothers' hearts bleed,
the whole German land alas in shame and pain,
Tyrol with him, Tyrol with him!
Tyrol with him, Tyrol with him!
Hands behind your back,
Andreas Hofer walked
with a calm and decisive step,
death seemed cruel to him,
death, so many times
it was sent to him in the valley from Mount Isel,
in the holy Tyrolean land, in the holy Tyrolean land!
In the holy Tyrolean land, in the holy Tyrolean land!
But after that from the bars of the cell
in the harsh Mantua,
the faithful weapons of the brothers
saw it spread in the hands
then he shouted loudly: “God be with you,
with the Empire of the betrayed Germans!”
and with Tyrol, and with Tyrol!
And with Tyrol, and with Tyrol!
The Tambuor didn't want to taxi
willingly the wand,
at the time Andreas Hofer
he walked towards the prison door.
Andreas still free from chains,
he remained standing on the scaffold,
the man from Tyrol, the man from Tyrol!
The man from Tyrol, the man from Tyrol!
He should get on his knees there,
these: “I don't do this!
I want to die, so standing,
I want to die as I fought,
just as I am standing on this trench,
long live my good Emperor Francis,
and with him his Tyrol, and with him his Tyrol!
And with him his Tyrol, and with him his Tyrol!”
And from his hand the bandage
the corporal takes them away;
Andreas Hofer asks
here one last time;
then shouts: “No, center me in the right place!
Fire! Alas! how bad you shoot!
Goodbye, oh my Tyrol. Goodbye, oh my Tyrol.
Goodbye, oh my Tyrol. Goodbye, oh my Tyrol.