Titus Brandsma Memorial

Diagonally opposite the basilica you will find Burgemeester Verkuijlstraat with a memorial to one of the most famous Dutch Carmelites: Titus Brandsma. This professor and publicist was a specialist in medieval mysticism, and a mystic himself. He started his Carmel life in Boxmeer. As a socially engaged priest, he took initiatives in the fields of Catholic emancipation, education, and journalism. He was an outspoken opponent of the emerging Nazis. When war broke out, he continued to fight the German occupiers. He was arrested in 1942, and died in concentration camp Dachau. He was beatified in 1985 and is on the way to being declared a saint. The square where the memorial is located is called Titus Brandsma Square.