Excerpts from the Prophecies of Ven. Bartholomew Holzhauser (1613-1658)

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Ven. Bartholomew Holzhauser (1613-1658) - On the Great Monarch and the Angelic Pontiff
Taken from here [adapted].

VEN. BARTHOLOMEW HOLZHAUSER (1613-1658) was born in Laugna, into the family of Leonard and Catherine Holzhauser, who were poor, pious, and honest people. Leonard and Catherine had eleven children, including Bartholomew. Ven. Holzhauser's father made his living as a shoemaker. Young Bartholomew developed a great love for books and an earnest desire to enter the sacred ministry. At Augsburg, he was admitted to a free school for poor boys, earning his living by going from door to door singing and begging. He fell sick of an epidemic raging at that time. After his recovery, Ven. Bartholomew went home and for a time helped his father at work.

He then continued his studies at Neuburg an der Donau and Ingolstadt, with the aid of kind friends and the Jesuits in particular. His teachers were unanimous in praising his talents, his piety, and his modesty. On July 9, 1636, he received the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, and then studied theology, in which he merited the baccalaureate on May 11, 1639. He was ordained into the priesthood by the Bishop of Eichstätt, and said his first Holy Mass on Pentecost Sunday, June 12, 1639 in the Church of Our Lady of Victory, at Ingolstadt.

He exercised his priestly functions at this place for some time and was soon much sought after as a confessor. In the meantime, he attended lectures at the university and was declared licentiate of theology on June 14, 1640. On August 1 of the same year, he came into the Archdiocese of Salzburg, and was made dean and pastor of Tittmoning. On February 2, 1642, he became pastor of St John's at Leoggenthal, in the county of Tyrol, at the behest of the Bishop of Chiemsee. In the spring of 1655, at the invitation of Archbishop Johann Philipp von Schönborn, he went to Mainz where he was soon appointed pastor at Bingen on the Rhine, and in 1657, dean of the district of Algesheim.

Because the faithful had become lukewarm, and morals and discipline had relaxed not only in the laity but also in the clergy in the aftermath of the Thirty Years War in Europe, Ven. Holzhauser founded an order called the Bartholomites to counteract the moral decline of times. It also became known as the Apostolic Union of Secular Priests promoting an apostolic life in the community and forming models of priestly perfection and zealous leaders of the people. Their principal task was to educate in the seminaries. The members of the secular congregation were expected to live in the seminaries, or in groups of two or three in the parishes, and to follow a set routine of daily prayers and exercises. Funds were to be in common, and all female servants were to be dismissed. No vows were taken, but a simple promise of obedience to the superior was made, confirmed by an oath.

Holzhauser died, aged 45, at Bingen. At the time of his death, the community had members at Chiemsee, Salzburg, Freising, Eichstätt, Würzburg, and Mainz. The institute, however, made many enemies. Unfortunately, at the end of the eighteenth century the community he founded became extinct. On the occasion of the second centenary of his death, a celebration was held at Bingen in the presence of the Bishop of Mainz. The location of his remains was again found and in 1880, a new monument was erected over his grave at the parish church, and Bartholomew was declared Venerable by the Roman Catholic Church.



THE GREAT MONARCH AND ANGELIC PONTIFF

Ven. Holzhauser was a visionary and made several predictions, which he presented 1646 to Emperor Ferdinand III and to Duke Maximilian I, Elector of Bavaria. Ludwig Clarus published these visions, along with a commentary showing their partial fulfilment, in German, in 1849. One of the predictions was that England would not have the Mass for 120 years, priest would not be able to say it under pain of death, after which England would convert and help to spread the Faith after its conversion, this seems to have been partially fulfilled for the prohibition of the Mass under penalty of capital punishment was enacted in 1658 and partially recalled in 1778.

He also wrote extensive personal commentaries on the Apocalypse, which include the Great Monarch and Angelic Pontiff prophecies. Although they appear to be a personal interpretation, his commentaries were held in great esteem by his contemporaries. Having once been asked where he could have received such extraordinary insight for the interpretation of so difficult a book, with tears in his eyes Ven. Holzhauser answered, “I am nothing but a little child, whose hand and pen his teacher holds and guides to make him write.”



THE SEVEN AGES OF THE CHURCH

Ven. Holzhauser divides the periods and the duration of the Church from Jesus Christ until the end of the world into seven ages or seven different epochs. He founds this seven-fold division on the seven churches of Asia, the seven candlesticks, the seven stars, the seven seals, seven spirits, seven trumpets, seven plagues of the Apocalypse, and also on the seven days of creation mentioned in the first chapter of Genesis. According to him,

1) The first age or special epoch of the Church begins with Jesus Christ and lasts until the first persecution under the pagan emperor, Nero.

2) The second, from Nero to Constantine the Great

3) The third, from Constantine till Charlemagne

4) The fourth, from Charlemagne to Charles V, the pontificate of Leo X., and the heresy of Martin Luther

5) The fifth age, from Luther up until ….

6) The sixth age, which begin with the arrival of the Great Monarch and Angelic Pontiff – this will be the Age of Concolation for the Church, the promised Age of Peace. The Age of Peace of the Sixth Age will end with the rise of the Antichrist, but the Sixth Age itself won't end until the Second Coming of Christ.

7) The seventh will introduce the elect to the 'eternal sabbath' – i.e. The Second Coming of Christ when the Last Day occurs, the Last Judgement takes place and Eternity begins with the New Heaven and the New Earth.


Therefore, according to Ven. Holzhauser we are yet in the Fifth Age of the Church and awaiting the Sixth, and we seem very close to it. 
Here are his prophecies concerning this era:

“The fifth period of the Church, which began circa 1520, will end with the arrival of the holy Pope and of the powerful Monarch who is called "Help From God" because he will restore everything [in Christ]…”


“The fifth period is one of affliction, desolation, humiliation, and poverty for the Church. Jesus Christ will purify His people through cruel wars, famines, plagues, epidemics, and other horrible calamities. He will also afflict and weaken the Latin Church with many heresies. It is a period of defections, calamities and exterminations. Those Christians who survive the sword, plague and famines, will be few on earth. Nations will fight against nations and will be desolated by internecine dissensions…”

“During this period the Wisdom of God guides the Church in. several ways: 1) by chastising the Church so that riches may not corrupt her completely; 2) by interposing the Council of Trent like a light in the darkness, so that the Christians who see the light may know what to believe, 3) by setting St. Ignatius and his Society in opposition to Luther and other heretics (i.e note the Jesuits were a force to be reckoned with in opposing the Lutheran heresies at the time, hence it is no wonder they came under such attack later) ; 4) by carrying to remote lands the Faith which has been banned in most of Europe…”

(NOTE: while this interpretation starts with the beginning of the Fifth period which means the rise of Luther, Ven. Holzhauser obviously predicted that the heresies Luther started would continue to wreak havoc and grow until the Great Monarch and Angelic Pontiff bring about the restoration of the Church hence - the COUNCIL OF TRENT not only was but will continue to be a guiding light in the time of darkness of the Church. According to Ven. Holzhuaser then, those who stay true to the declarations of the Council of Trent will not be led astray from the true Faith. Of interest, Bl. Catherine of Racconigi predicted that the aims of the Council of Trent would be fully accomplished with the arrival of Great Monarch and Angelic Pontiff.)

“Are we not to fear during this period that the Mohamedans (i.e. Muslims and the rise of Islam) will come again working out their sinister schemes against the Latin church…?”

“During this period, many men will abuse the freedom of conscience conceded to them. It is of such men that Jude the Apostle spoke when he said, ‘These men blaspheme whatever they do not understand; and they corrupt whatever they know naturally as irrational animals do… They feast together without restraint, feeding themselves, grumbling murmurers, walking according to their lusts; their mouth speaketh proud things, they admire people for the sake of gain; they bring about division, sensual men, having not the spirit.’”

“During this unhappy period, there will be laxity in divine and human precepts. Discipline will suffer. The Holy Canons will be completely disregarded, and the Clergy will not respect the laws of the Church. Everyone will be carried away and led to believe and to do what he fancies, according to the manner of the flesh…”

“They will ridicule Christian simplicity; they will call it folly and nonsense, but they will have the highest regard for advanced knowledge, and for the skill by which the axioms of the law, the precepts of morality, the Holy Canons and religious dogmas are clouded by senseless questions and elaborate arguments. As a result, no principle at all, however holy, authentic, ancient, and certain it may be, will remain free of censure, criticism, false interpretation, modification, and delimitation by man…”

(NOTE: apparently, Ven. Holzhausuer's comments on the time of corruption before the renewal of the Church. The world will grow corrupt and the Church will also fall into decay as it turns on its ancient Traditions and twists it to suit the times. Note the word 'modification'.)

“These are evil times, a century full of dangers and calamities. Heresy is everywhere, and the followers of heresy are in power almost everywhere. Bishops, prelates, and priests say that they are doing their duty, that they are vigilant, and that they live as befits their state in life. In like manner, therefore, they all seek excuses. But God will permit a great evil against His Church: Heretics and tyrants will come suddenly and unexpectedly; they will break into the Church while bishops, prelates and priests are asleep. They will enter Italy and lay Rome waste; they will burn down the churches and destroy everything.…”

(OBSERVATION: Ven. Holzhauser notes this period of degradation will LAST A CENTURY.  He  predicts this century of heretical intrusions and moral laxity in the Church will apparently be nearing its climax or basically reaching its end when ROME IS BURNED AND LAID WASTE. In another prediction, Ven. Holzhauser says Satan will be bound for a time when the Great Monarch comes, which means SATAN will be given liberty BEFORE ROME BURNS AND THE RENEWAL BEGINS.  So, could this be another prediction of 'SATAN's CENTURY' as foreseen by Pope Leo XIII?  If so, re will be nearing the end of Satan's Century when Rome burns and is laid waste.)

“The Sixth Age of the Spirit commences with the powerful Monarch and the Holy Pontiff as previously mentioned and will last until the appearance of the Antichrist. This sixth epoch of the church – “the time of consolation” begins with the Holy Pope and the Powerful Emperor and terminates with the reign of Antichrist. This will be an age of solace wherein God will console His church after the many mortifications and afflictions she has endured in the Fifth period, for all nations will be brought to the unity of the True catholic faith. The sacerdocy will flower more than ever, and men will seek the kingdom of God in all solicitude. The Lord will give good pastors to the Church. Vocations will be abundant as never before and all men will seek only the kingdom of God and His justice. Men will live in peace and this will be granted because people will make their peace with God. They will live under the protection of the Great Monarch and his successors….”

“The Great Monarch will come when the Latin Church is desolated, humiliated, and afflicted with many heresies….”

(NOTE: the one strange contradiction here is he says the Great Monarch will have successors, therefore, possible heirs, but that cannot be possible according to the rest of his predictions, which says the Monarch will reign until the Antichrist appears after which there is the Second Coming, and then, in another prediction by Ven. Holzhauser, the Great Monarch he will continue to rule his kingdom even after the Second Coming with Christ, which is an interesting hint that Ven. Holzhauser believed that Christ will delegate kingdoms of the New Earth to deserving chosen saints. So, it is difficult to know what he means by 'successors' in this instance. It cannot mean an 'heir'.

“The Sixth Epoch of the World, which commences with the emancipation of the people of Israel and the restoration of the Temple and of the city of Jerusalem, will endure until the advent of Jesus Christ…For likewise, in this epoch, the people of Israel will be consoled to a very high degree by the Lord, our God, who will deliver them from the captivity of Babylon. The kingdoms, the nations, and the people will submit to the Roman Empire, furiously vanquished by the very powerful and very illustrious monarch who will govern during fifty-six years, rendering the peace of the universe and reigning alone until the advent of Jesus Christ and even after him. Thus, in the Sixth Age, God will delight his Church with the greatest prosperity…”

Apparently, this is Ven. Holzhauser's interpretation of Chapter 10 of the Apocalypse featuring the great Angel who gives St. John a book to eat:

“The “angel” is the Great Monarch: “from heaven” means he will be a catholic: “clothed in clouds” implies he will be humble and modest; “rainbow” he will bring peace to the world; “sunshine” refers to his wisdom, talents and title; “feet” refers to his power and zeal; “Open book” he will rule with justice “Right and left foot” he will exercise power over all the world; “Lion Voice” he will put fear into the wicked. The “Golden Crown” refers to his Holy Roman Empire; “Cutlass” means his victorious army; the other “angel” refers to the pope (Angelic pastor). “Other angels” are the other helpers of the Great Monarch who will help him crush the Turks…”

“During the fifth period we saw only calamities and devastation, oppression of Catholics by tyrants and heretics, executions of kings and conspiracies to set up republics but by the hand of God almighty there occurs so wonderful a change during the sixth period that no one can humanly visualize it. The powerful Monarch, who is sent from God, will uproot every Republic. He will submit everything to this authority and he will show great zeal for the true church of Christ. The empire of the Mohamedans will be broken up and the monarch will reign in the east as well as in the west. All nations will come to worship God in the true and Catholic Roman faith. There will be many saints and doctors of the church on earth. Peace will reign over the whole earth because God will bind Satan for a number of years before the days of the Son of Perdition. No one will be able to pervert the word of God since during the sixth period there will be an ecumenical council which will be the greatest of all councils. By the grace of God, by the power of the great Monarch, by the authority of the holy pontiff and by union of all the most devout princes atheism and every heresy will be banished from the earth. The council will define the true sense of Holy Scripture and this will be beloved and accepted by everyone.”

“When everything has been ruined by war; when Catholics are hard pressed by traitorous co-religionists and heretics, then the Hand of Almighty God will work a marvellous change, something apparently impossible according to human understanding. There will rise a valiant monarch anointed by God. He will be a Catholic, a descendant of Louis IX, yet a descendant of an ancient imperial German family, born in exile. He will rule supreme in temporal matters. The Pope will rule supreme in spiritual matters at the same time. Persecution will cease and justice shall rule. Religion seems to be suppressed, but by the changes of entire kingdoms it will be made more firm….He will root out false doctrines and destroy the rule of Moslemism. His dominion will extend from the East to the West. All nations will adore God their Lord according to the Catholic teaching. There will be many wise and just men. The people will love justice, and peace will reign over the whole earth, for divine power will bind Satan for many years until the coming of the Son of Perdition.”

“The reign of the Great Ruler may be compared with that of Caesar Augustus who became Emperor after his victory over his enemies, thereby giving peace to the world, also with the reign of Constantine the Great, who was sent by God, after severe persecution, to deliver both the Church and State. By his victories on water and land he brought the Roman Empire under subjection which
he then ruled in peace”

"On account of a terrible war Germany will wail, France will be the cause of all the woe, Germany will be miserably wounded, all will be impoverished. England shall suffer much. The King shall be killed.

"After desolation has reached its peak in England peace will be restored and England will return to the Catholic faith with greater fervor than ever before.

“[After a world war] will come a new period, in which two mighty ones will face each other. The wrangle between these two will begin in the second half of the twentieth century. It will overthrow mountains and silt up rivers. A great change will come to pass, such as no mortal man will have expected; Heaven and Hell will confront each other in this struggle, old states will perish and light and darkness will be pitted against each other with swords, but it will be swords of a different fashion. With these swords it will be possible to cut up the skies and split the earth. A great lament will come over all mankind and only a small batch will survive the storm, the pestilence and the horror. And neither of the two adversaries will conquer nor be vanquished. Both mighty ones will lie on the ground, and a new mankind will come into existence. God possesses the key to everything. Blessed is he who will then be able to praise him, having obeyed all his commandments. And the great monarch of the world will create new laws for the new mankind and will cause a new age to begin, in which there will be only one flock and one shepherd, and peace will be of long, long duration, for the glory of God in heaven and on earth…”  

“Now the Great Monarch also will dominate over all the beasts of the earth, that is to say over the barbarian nations, over the rebellious peoples, over the heretic republics and over all men dominated by their evil passions…”

“It is in that age that the relation of the sixth Spirit of the Lord will be known, that is to say the Spirit of Wisdom that God diffuses over all the surfaces of the globes in those times. For men will fear the Lord their God, they will observe the law and serve it with all their heart. The sciences will be multiplied and complete on the earth. The Holy Scriptures will be unanimously understood, without controversy and without the errors of heresies. Men will be enlightened, so much as in the natural sciences and in the celestial sciences…”

“Finally, the Sixth Church, the Church of Philadelphia, is the type of this sixth age, for Philadelphia signifies friendship of brothers, and again guarding the heritage in union with the Lord. Now all these characters convene perfectly in the sixth age, in which they will have love, concord and perfect peace and in which the powerful Monarch will have to consider almost the entire world as his heritage. He will deliver up the earth, with the aid of the Lord his God from all his enemies, of ruin and of all evil…”