March 13 this year, accounted for the hundredth anniversary of the birth of Fr. Joseph Kowalski, SDB, martyr of Auschwitz. On 13 June 1999, Pope John Paul II beatified him among the 108 martyrs of the last war. Thus, Fr. Smith became the first Polish Salesian Raised at the altars. Mention must, that the Holy Father. personally knew Fr. Joseph from the time when he lived during the occupation in the Salesian parish. Stanislaus Kostka in Kraków Debniki.
hundredth birth anniversary of SDB, a martyr for the faith becomes a good opportunity to remind the living road, which begins on 13 March 1911, the family Siedliska Adalbert and Sophia nee Borowiec. From an early age, Joseph was manifested signs of a vocation to the priesthood, distinguishing themselves among their peers piety, love of the liturgy, zeal in carrying out the duties altar. In 1922 the parents sent him to the Salesian school in Auschwitz, where he became fascinated by the figure of Fr. Bosco and deepened his devotion, especially through devotion to Mary Wspomożycielski Faithful. During these years Joseph Smith Blessed Mother entrusted the matter of his appointment.
In 1927, Joseph joined the ranks of the Salesian Congregation starting with the first stage of religious formation in the novitiate in Czerwińsk. After a year of preparation at the miraculous image of Our Lady Mrs. Mazovia on 24 July 1928 made her first profession of vows. Ten years later, on 29 May 1938 at the hands of Bishop Stanislaw Rasponda adopted in Cracow, ordained a priest.
Exemplary attitude Fr. Joseph Smith during his seminary formation and good repute among the brothers decided that Fr. Inspector Adam Cieślar devoted to him immediately after his ordination very responsible position of Secretary of inspektorialnego in Krakow. Ordained approached this challenge with his characteristic rigor. Furthermore, took up organizing Archives Inspektorialnego and began accounting course. In summer 1938, he became known as a great organizer of a tribute to the Queen of Polish made by the spiritual family of Don Bosco Salesian during a national congress in Czestochowa. Simultaneously with the implementation of the tasks entrusted to the inspectorate, Fr. Joseph devoted to catechesis and educational work in emergency care. Also helped in the pastoral care of the Salesian parish. Stanislaus Kostka in Kraków in Debniki. Work as you can see he is not lacking.
priest Joseph did not come, however long enjoy the possibility of implementing the priestly vocation of the Salesian and young people. Salesian thriving business in Krakow largely limited outbreak of war and German occupation. The persecution directed especially in the clergy. Repression did not avoid the Salesians. On 23 May 1941, eleven of them were arrested and taken to jail to street. Montelupich, whence they came after a month then no German concentration camp at Auschwitz.
in a concentration camp, Fr. Joseph recorded under number 17350 and with other priests were sent to the penal company. In these difficult times, he behaved with dignity and faith, received an experience that to him. For nothing has complained. Amazed all with his goodness. It quickly became a trustee for the inmates of their concerns, served them secretly holy sacraments, confessions celebrated in the mystery of Holy Mass, fostered devotion to the Blessed Mother, zmaltretowanych bind up and beaten. On 8 December 1941, together with other companions of misery, in the basement of Block 5, refused to "surrender to the Act of prisoners Auschwitz Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Mother. " One of the priests, who lived with him in Auschwitz, wrote after the war: "Fr. Joseph Smith to the death camp, where - as expressed capos - there is no God, he was able to bring prisoners to God. "
in Auschwitz came to Fr. Kowalski made the greatest sacrifice for their faithfulness to God and the Church. In June 1942, found himself in a group of priests who had been transported to Dachau. Joseph was a priest, however, withdrawn from it, after disobeying orders ignoring the Holy Rosary, issued by the Gestapo Gerhard Palitzsch. In addition, for the possession of the Rosary was re-directed to the penal company.
Aware that he was going to die right, he gave the last inmates food and said goodbye with the words "pray for me and my persecutors." He died July 3, 1942, in the evening, beaten by the already mentioned Palitzsch and drowned in a barrel in the faeces. By inmates was named "Martyr Holy Rosary. "
Fr. Jaroslaw Wasowicz SDB
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