Blessed Aloysius Liguda, December 9

Blessed ALOYSIUS LIGUDA, SVD – Priest
1898, Winow- December 9, 1942, Dachau
Educator and Spiritual Director

Not much is known about the death of Fr. Aloysius Liguda. According to eye-witnesses he was drowned along with nine other prisoners on December 9, 1942, in the concentration camp at Dachau. But his Calvary was a long one, since he endured nearly three years of suffering before his death. He was arrested in Gorna Grupa in February, 1940, and he passed through two different concentration camps (Stutthof and Sachsenhausen) before his detention at Dachau. He experienced forced labor, hunger, beatings, and other inhuman treatment, but his presence was a support to other prisoners. His spirit of tranquility and his sense of humor helped many to endure the brutal ity of the concentration camp. Even in the most trying situations he found words of encouragement or a joke to share with others. He remained faithful to his religious missionary vocation in the midst of torture and disdain for human dignity until his martyrdom.

Blessed Sigismund (Zygmunt) Sajna, September 17

Blessed Sigismund (Zygmunt) Sajna, Priest and Martyr
Zurawlówka, Poland, January 20, 1897 – Palmiry, Poland, September 17, 1940

Blessed Zygmunt Sajna, a Diocesan Priest, was born in Zurawlówka (Podlasie), Poland, January 20, 1897 and died in Palmiry September 17, 1940. He was beatified by Pope John Paul II in Warsaw (Poland) June 13, 1999 together with 107 other Polish martyrs.

Roman Martyrology: In Palmiry forest near Warsaw in Poland, Sigismund Sajna Blessed, Priest and Martyr who, during the war, died shot for not having agreed to renounce his faith before a foreign regime that was hostile to God

Source: Santi e Beati

Blessed Ladislaus (Wladyslaw) Miegon, September 15

Blessed Ladislaus (Wladyslaw) Miegon, Priest and Martyr
Samborzec, Poland, September 30, 1892 – Dachau, Germany, September 15, 1942

Blessed Wladyslaw Miegon priest chaplain, was born in Samborzec (Sandomierz) September 30, 1892 and died in Dachau, Germany, September 15, 1942. He was beatified by Pope John Paul II in Warsaw (Poland) June 13, 1999 with 107 other Polish Martyrs.

Roman Martyrology: Near Monaco of Bavaria in Germany, Blessed Ladislaus Miegon, Priest and Martyr who, deported from Poland for his faith subjugated by a regime enemy of God and men at the Dachau prison camp, came through the torture crown of glory.

Source: Santi e Beati

Blessed Maximilian (Maksymilian) Binkiewicz, August 24

Blessed Maximilian (Maksymilian) Binkiewicz, Priest and Martyr
Gmina Żarnowiec, Poland, February 21, 1908 – Dachau, Germany, August 24, 1942

Blessed Maksymilian Binkiewicz, Polish diocesan priest, was born in Gmina Żarnowiec (Olkusz) February 21, 1908 and died in Dachau, Germany, August 24, 1942. He was Beatified by Pope John Paul II in Warsaw (Poland) June 13, 1999 together with 107 other Polish martyrs.

Roman Martyrology: In the prison camp at Dachau near Munich in Germany, Monaco, blessed Maximian Binkiewicz, Priest and Martyr, who, during the war, was deported by the invading soldiers from Poland because of his faith in Christ and he died under torture and torture.

Source: Santi e Beati

Blessed Ladislaus (Wladyslaw) Findysz, August 23

Blessed Ladislaus (Wladyslaw) Findysz, Priest and Martyr
Kroscienko Nizne, Poland, December 13, 1907 – Zmigrod Nowy, Poland, August 21, 1964

Born in Kroscienko Nizne near Krosno (Poland) on December 13, 1907. Ordained a priest June 19, 1932 in Przemysl. In 1942 he was appointed parish priest in Nowy Żmigród. During and after the Second World War, he was generously devoted to spiritual and material aid of all the inhabitants of his parish, regardless of their nationality or confession.

In the years of Vatican Council II, he began the pastoral work of “works council of goodness,” from the pulpit and through letters-appeals calls for a renewal of Christian life. The communist authorities reacted to his zealous pastoral work with numerous persecutions. On December 17, 1963, he was sentenced to two years and six months in jail accused of “forcing the faithful to religious practices.” In the prison he was subjected to mistreatment and humiliation, physical, mental and spiritual. Authorities with premeditation did not allow him to receive cancer surgery previously planned. He was conditionally released from prison in a state of extreme exhaustion. He died a few months later, on August 21, 1964.

Cardinal Jozef Glemp Beatified him on June 19, 2005, by reading the Apostolic Letter of Pope Benedict XVI.

Emblem: Palma

Source: Santi e Beati

Blessed Ladislaus (Wladyslaw) Maczkowski, August 20

Blessed Ladislaus (Wladyslaw) Maczkowski, Priest and Martyr
Ociaz, Poland, June 24, 1911 – Dachau, Germany, August 20, 1942

Wladyslaw Maczkowski, priest of the Archdiocese of Gniezno, fell victim of the Nazis in the famous German concentration camp at Dachau. On June 13, 1999, Pope John Paul II raised him to the honors of the altar together with 107 other victims of that persecution.

Roman Martyrology: In the prison camp near Dachau Monaco of Bavaria in Germany, Blessed Ladislaus Mączkowski, priest and martyr, who, of Polish origin, was deported during the war and to the persecutors of human dignity and defense of Christianity among the torture his faith until death.

Source: Santi e Beati

Blessed Edward Gryzmala, August 10

Blessed Edward (Edward) Grzymala, Priest and Martyr

Kolodziaz, Poland, September 29, 1906 – Dachau, Germany, August 10,

1940

Blessed Edward Grzymala, a diocesan priest, was born in Kolodziaz, Poland, September 29, 1906 and died in Dachau, Germany, August 10, 1940. He wasbeatified by Pope John Paul II in Warsaw (Poland) on June 13, 1999 with 107 other Polish martyrs.

Roman Martyrology: In the prison camp near Dachau Monaco of Bavaria inGermany, Drzewiecki blessed Francis of the Congregation of the Little Work of Divine Providence, and Edoardo Grzymała, priests and martyrs, who, ofPolish origin, during the devastation of their homeland in time of war were made by their persecutors in a foreign prison and reached Christ killed in a gas chamber.

Source: Santi e Beati

Blessed Vladimir (Wlodzimierz) Laskowski, August 8

Blessed Vladimir (Wlodzimierz) Laskowski, Priest and Martyr
Rogoznica, Poland, January 30, 1886 – Gusen, Austria, August 8, 1940

Wlodzimierz Laskowski, a priest of the Archdiocese of Poznan, fell victim of the Nazis in their hatred of the Christian faith. On June 13, 1999, Pope John Paul II raised him to the honors of the altar with 107 other victims of that persecution. While they were beatified together, their deaths took place separately so there is not a collective memorial.

Roman Martyrology: At Gusen Germany blessed Vladimiro Laskowski, priest and martyr, who, in times of war, was deported for his faith in this prison camp and, cruelly tortured, reached the glory of martyrdom.

Source: Santi e Beati

Blessed Alex Sobaszek, August 1

Blessed Alessio Sobaszek Priest and Martyr
Przygodzice Wielkie, Poland, July 17 ,1895 – Dachau, Germany, August 1, 1942

Diocesan priest. He was beatified by Pope John Paul II in Warsaw, Poland on June 13, 1999 with 107 other Polish martyrs.

Roman Martyrology: In the prison camp near Dachau Monaco of Bavaria in Germany, Blessed Alessio Sobaszek, priest and martyr, who, of Polish birth, in time of war brutally deported by the invaders, dying for Christ under torture, defending his faith.

Source: Santi e Beati

Blessed Michal Ozieblowski, July 31

Blessed Michal Ozieblowski, Priest and Martyr
Izdebno, Poland, September 28, 1900 – Dachau, Germany, July 31, 1942

Michal Ozieblowski, priest of the Archdiocese of Warsaw, fell victim of the Nazis in the famous German concentration camp at Dachau. Pope John Paul II on June 13, 1999 raised him to the honors of the altar with 107 other victims of that persecution.

Roman Martyrology: Near Monaco of Bavaria in Germany in the prison camp at Dachau, Blessed Michael Oziębłowski, Priest and Martyr, who, deported to his faith in a foreign prison in Poland, his homeland, forced under an enemy of religion, brought to completion martyred under torture.

Source: Santi e Beati

Blessed Fidelis Jerome Chojnacki, July 9

Blessed Fidelis Jerome Chojnacki

November 1, 1906, Lodz, Poland-July 9, 1942, Dachau

Youngest of six children born to Waclaw and Leokadia Spurinska. Raised in a pious family. Studied in public schools and a military academy. Worked for a year at Szczuczyn Mowogrodzki in the Institute of Social Insurance. Worked at the Central Post Office in Warsaw. Member and administrator of Catholic Action. Worked against alcohol abuse and helped recovering alcoholics in his region. Joined the Secular Franciscan Order at the Capuchin church in Warsaw. Friend of Blessed Anicet Koplinski. Joined the Capuchins on 27 August 1933, taking the name Fidelis.

He developed a great devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Studied philosphy at Zakroczym. Founded a Club for Intellectual Collaboration for the seminarians. Continued his work with alcoholics, working a group of Franciscans. Studied theology in Lublin, begining in 1937; his studies were interrupted by the German invasion of Poland in September 1939.

Arrested for his faith on 25 January 1940 and held in the “Fortress of Lublin”. On 18 June 1940 he was moved to the prison camp at Sachsenhausen. To this point Fidelis has kept his optimism, hope and simplicity, but this camp broke him; the abuse of himself and the other prisoners sent him into depression. On 14 December 1940 he, with other priests and religious, was transferred to the Dachau concentration camp; tattooed with his prisoner number, and subjected to more abuse.

Abused, starved and over-worked, he developed a serious heart condition, and finally died of excessive abuse. His last words to fellow prisoners as he was being taken away were, “Praised be Jesus Christ; we’ll see each other in heaven.”

One of 102 Martyrs of World War II whose memorial is June 12.

Venerated March 26, 1999 by Pope John Paul II

Beatified June 13, 1999 by Pope John Paul II

Source: Patron Saints Index

June 6: Blessed Józef Innocenty Guz, Martyr Of Poland

Blessed Józef Innocenty Guz, 1890 – 1940

Blessed Stansilaw Kubski, May 18

Blessed Stanislaus (Stanislaw) Kubski Priest and Martyr
Ksiaz, Poland, August 13, 1876 – Dachau, Germany, May 18, 1942

Stanislaw Kubski, a priest of the Archdiocese of Gniezno, fell victim of the Nazis in the famous German concentration camp at Dachau. On June 13, 1999, Pope John Paul II raised him to the honors of the altar with 107 other victims of that persecution.

Roman Martyrology: In the prison camp near Dachau Monaco of Bavaria in Germany, Blessed Stanislaus Kubski, priest and martyr, who, in time of war, locked in a gas chamber made the spirit of Christ.

Source: Santi e Beati

Blessed Gregory Frackowiak, May 5

Blessed GREGORY FRACKOWIAK, SVD – Brother
1911, Lowecice-May 5, 1943, Dresden
Receptionist and Bookbinder

The youngest of our four martyrs was 31 when he was beheaded on May 5, 1943, in the prison of Dresden. Brother Gregory consciously offered his life as a substitute for others. His willingness to claim responsibility for some thing he did not do saved several people (including his brother) from certain imprisonment and death. This heroic gesture makes him similar to another martyr of the same war — St. Maximilian Kolbe, who also gave his life for someone else in the concentration camp at Auschwitz.

Gregory is his religious name. He was born Boleslaw Frackowiak in Lowecice (a small village not far from Poznan). One of twelve children, he grew up in a deeply religious atmosphere. At the age of 18 he entered the SVD novitiate in Gorna Grupa. From the beginning he exhibited great joy in being a missionary Brother. He worked both as a receptionist and as a professional binder in the printing press. Among the people of the area he was remembered as someone with a special sensitivity towards the poor. He had numerous visitors, because he was known for providing something to eat, a warm welcome, and a good word for everyone. Some called him “the friend of the poor.”

Blessed Stanislaus Kubista, April 26

Blessed STANISLAUS KUBISTA, SVD – Priest
Kostuchna, 1898- Sachsenhausen, April 26, 1940
Mission Animator and Communicator

It was very cold the morning of April 26, 1940, when the “capo” entered the barracks where Fr. Stanislaus Kubista and other priests were held. Since his arrival at the concentration camp in Sachsenhausen Fr. Stanislaus had been sick with pneumonia and diarrhea. He was getting weaker every day. Despite this he was forced to do a full workload, which included shoveling snow for long hours while exposed to the cold wind. On one of the last evenings of his life another priest, Fr. Dominic Jozef, covered him with a blanket. Fr. Stanislaus whispered to him: “This will not go on much longer. My God, I am so weak. May His will be done.” Although it was prohibited, Fr. Dominic heard his confession. When the capo entered the barracks and looked at the sick and exhausted prisoner, he told him, “You have no reason to live any more.” Then he began to stomp on Fr. Kubista’s throat and chest. Another prisoner later said: “We heard the breaking of bones and the last choked rattling. We knew Fr. Kubista was dying.” He was 42. He gave up his life without knowing why his tormentor was so cruel. But in dying he maintained his dignity. He could do so because his whole life was one of quiet dignity.

Blessed Anastazy Jakub Pankiewicz, April 20

Blessed Anastazy Jakub Pankiewicz, Priest and Martyr
Nagórzany, Poland, July 9, 1882 – Linz, Austria, April 20, 1942

Jakub Pankiewicz was born in Nagorzanach, Poland, July 9, 1882. He was accepted by the Friars Minor in the Province of the Immaculate Conception in 1900. He made his solemn profession of vows on February 24, 1904, taking the name Anastazy. Ordained a priest in 1906, he was Guardian in various fraternities, built the minor seminary in the industrial city of Lodz and was among the founders of the Congregation of the Sisters of Christ the King Antoniana. Arrested on October 10, 1941, he was interned in Dachau. He died April 20, 1942, on the road leading to the crematorium of Hartheim near Linz in Austria. Preparing himself for death with the Sacrament of Reconciliation, he helped a fellow prisoner on board the car after a German soldier closed the door of the car cutting both his hands. His body was burned and the ashes were scattered. John Paul II beatified him in Warsaw on June 13, 1999 with 107 other Polish martyrs.

Piotr Edward Dankowski, April 3

Blessed Edward Peter (Piotr Edward) Dankowski

Priest and Martyr

Jordanow, Poland, June 21, 1908 – Auschwitz,  April 3, 1942

Blessed Edward Piotr Dankowski, diocesan priest, was born in Jordanow June 21, 1908 and died in Auschwitz, Poland, April 3, 1942. He was beatified by Pope John Paul II in Warsaw on June 13, 1999 with 107 other Polish martyrs.

Roman Martyrology: Close to Cracow in Poland in the extermination camp of Auschwitz, Blessed Peter Edward Dankowski, priest and martyr, who, in time of submission of the homeland to a foreign military regime, put in prison for his Christian faith, he he was tortured, thus achieving martyrdom.

Source: Santi e Beati

Blessed Wincenty Stefan Frelichowski, February 23

Blessed Wincenty Stefan Frelichowski

Chelmza (Poland), January 22, 1913 – Dachau, February 23, 1945

Roman Martyrology: In the prison camp near Dachau Monaco of Bavaria in Germany, blessed Vincent Frelichowski, a priest who, during the same war, deported to several prisons, never lost faith or his pastoral ministry, suffered from disease while he provided assistance to the sick, after long suffering came to the vision of eternal peace.

It can be said that his priestly ministry was mainly in German concentration camps, only a little over three years, his young priesthood, was played among the faithful in Poland, the others all spent six years as a prisoner until his death at 32.

Blessed Louis Mzyk, February 20

Blessed LOUIS MZYK,  Priest

Novice Master, Society of the Divine Word

Chorzow Story 1905-Poznan, February 20, 1940

His martyrdom occurred in the maximum security prison in Poznan. A priest who was imprisoned together with Fr. Mzyk testified to his death. One guard in the camp seemed to derive a special pleasure in persecuting Fr. Louis. He went out of his way to insult our confrere and to attack him. On February 20, 1940, this guard came back drunk to the prison. He met three prisoners, among whom was Fr. Mzyk. He sent the other two away and began shouting at him, beating him, and kicking him. Then the guard threw him down a flight of stairs, dragged him to the gate, and twice shot him in the head. Fr. Louis was 35.

Blessed Józef Zapłata, February 19

Blessed Jozef Zaplata, Religious and Martyr

Jerka, Poland, March 5, 1904 – Dachau, Germany, February 19, 1945

Blessed Jozef, professed religious of the Congregation of the friars of the Congregation of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, was born in Jerka at Koscian March 5, 1904 and died in Dachau, Germany, February 19, 1945. He was beatified by Pope John Paul II in Warsaw (Poland) on June 13, 1999 with 107 other Polish martyrs.

Roman Martyrology: In the prison camp near Dachau Monaco of Bavaria in Germany, blessed Joseph Zaplata, religious of the Congregation of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and martyr, who tranferred for his faith with violence from Poland, his homeland, to a cruel imprisonment, suffering from disease brought to completion his martyrdom.

Source: Santi e Beati

Blessed Jerzy Kaszyra, February 18

Blessed Jerzy Kaszyra priest and martyr

Aleksandrow, Lithuania, April 4, 1904 – Rosice, Poland, February 18, 1943

Blessed Jerzy Kaszyra, professed priest of Chierici Mariani under the title of the Immaculate Conception of the BVM (Mariani), was born in Aleksandrow (Vilnius), Lithuania, April 4, 1904 and died in Rosice (Poland) February 18, 1943. He was beatified by Pope John Paul II in Warsaw (Poland) on June 13, 1999 with 107 other Polish martyrs.

Roman Martyrology: A Rosica Poland, Blessed George Kaszyra, a priest of the Congregation of Marian Clerics and martyr who, nell’infuriare of war, set on fire by the persecutors of the faith, Christ died for the Lord.

Blessed Michał Kozal, January 26

Blessed Michal Kozal

Nowy Folwark (Poland), September 25, 1893 – Dachau (Germany), January 26, 1943

Roman Martyrology: At Monaco of Bavaria in Germany, Blessed Michael Kozal, Auxiliary Bishop of Włocławek and martyr: to have assumed the defense of faith and freedom of the Church under the Nazi regime nefasto with unconquerable endurance was pushed to three years in the field of extermination of the prison at Dachau until his life was crowned with martyrdom.

June 13: Blessed Marianna Biernacka, New Martyr Of Poland

Blessed Marianna Biernacka, 1888 – 1943

May 28: Blessed Władysław Demski, Martyr Of Poland

Blessed Władysław Demski, 1884 – 1940
German death camp Sachsenhausen

April 11: Blessed Symforian Feliks Ducki, New Martyr Of Poland

 

Blessed Symforian Feliks Ducki, 1888-1942