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On 13 March 2011 the centenary occurs of birth of Joseph Kowalski who died in the Auschwitz Nazi concentration camp. He was born at Siedliska, in Poland, in 1911, entered the Salesians in 1927 and was ordained in 1938. Appointed Provincial Secretary he was also an appreciated speaker and music teacher. On 23 May 1941 the Nazis arrested him with 11 other Salesians; he became no. 17.350 in Auschwitz. In 1942, because he refused to trample on his rosary beads he was subjected to severe forced labour, tortured and finally drowned by the guards in the camp sewer. On 13 June 1999 Pope John Paul II beatified him in Warsaw together with 107 other martyrs of Nazism.
Among the planned commemorative events: on 13 March a solemn Mass at which auxiliary Bishop Jan Szkodoń of Krakow will preside a retreat and the Via Crucis inspired by the life of the Blessed. In particular on Sunday 29 May the liturgical memorial of the martyr, special thanks will be offered for his life. Finally on 11 June a run between Dębniki and Łosiówkę will recall his priestly ministry in the Dębniki parish and his direction of the clerics choir at Łosiówka.
“In their educational and pastoral activities are communities are called to give due weight to the memory of our saints, blesseds, venerables and servants of God, as treasured gifts of grace, vitality and charismatic fruitfulness,” Fr Pier Luigi Cameroni, Postulator General for the Causes of Saints of the Salesian Family says. “The knowledge, imitation and intercession of these brothers and sisters is a powerful stimulus for the Christian life and a sure witness to fidelity” he adds. “In this year when the Salesian Family is engaged in praying and working so as to be able to call young people to the experience of knowing and following Jesus, the witness of Blessed Joseph Kowalski shines out as from one who followed and served the Lord even to giving his life for him.”
Published 11/03/2011
