Blessed Alfons Maria of the Holy Spirit was born Joseph Mazurek in Baranowka, Poland, on March 1, 1891, He studied hard in seminary school throughout his youth, and then joined the Discalced Carmelite Order in 1912. Ordained to the priesthood in July 1916, he continued his studies, growing spiritually and mentally. His organizational ability was renowned, and he was set in charge of the minor seminary. In 1930, he was elected prior of the Monastery of Czerna. Here he took on the responsibility of the choir program, which flourished under his guidance.
On August 24, 1944, however, all of this changed. Nazis took over the monastery, killing resistants and forcing the rest to dig ditches. Mazurek was separated from the rest and tortured. Later he was taken on a dirt path via a military car to Nawojowa Gora. There, he was kicked out and forced to walk a fair distance. After walking, the Nazis shouted at him. Turning around, he was shot at and mortally wounded. The guards approached him, kicked him, and filled his mouth with dirt. Some of his brothers came from digging ditches and assisted him. He was given absolution shortly before his death. The date was August 28, vigil of the martyrdom of St. John the Baptist, of whom Mazurek was particularly devoted.
On June 13, 1999, Mazurek was declared one of the 108 blessed Polish martyrs by Pope John Paul II. The group comprises 3 bishops, 52 priests, 26 members of male religious orders, 3 seminarians, 8 religious sisters and 9 lay people. There is a parish named for the 108 martyrs of World War II in Powiercie, Koło County, Poland.
On August 24, 1944, however, all of this changed. Nazis took over the monastery, killing resistants and forcing the rest to dig ditches. Mazurek was separated from the rest and tortured. Later he was taken on a dirt path via a military car to Nawojowa Gora. There, he was kicked out and forced to walk a fair distance. After walking, the Nazis shouted at him. Turning around, he was shot at and mortally wounded. The guards approached him, kicked him, and filled his mouth with dirt. Some of his brothers came from digging ditches and assisted him. He was given absolution shortly before his death. The date was August 28, vigil of the martyrdom of St. John the Baptist, of whom Mazurek was particularly devoted.
On June 13, 1999, Mazurek was declared one of the 108 blessed Polish martyrs by Pope John Paul II. The group comprises 3 bishops, 52 priests, 26 members of male religious orders, 3 seminarians, 8 religious sisters and 9 lay people. There is a parish named for the 108 martyrs of World War II in Powiercie, Koło County, Poland.
Blessed Alfons Maria of the Holy Spirit was born Joseph Mazurek in Baranowka, Poland, on March 1, 1891, He studied hard in seminary school throughout his youth, and then joined the Discalced Carmelite Order in 1912. Ordained to the priesthood in July 1916, he continued his studies, growing spiritually and mentally. His organizational ability was renowned, and he was set in charge of the minor seminary. In 1930, he was elected prior of the Monastery of Czerna. Here he took on the responsibility of the choir program, which flourished under his guidance.
On August 24, 1944, however, all of this changed. Nazis took over the monastery, killing resistants and forcing the rest to dig ditches. Mazurek was separated from the rest and tortured. Later he was taken on a dirt path via a military car to Nawojowa Gora. There, he was kicked out and forced to walk a fair distance. After walking, the Nazis shouted at him. Turning around, he was shot at and mortally wounded. The guards approached him, kicked him, and filled his mouth with dirt. Some of his brothers came from digging ditches and assisted him. He was given absolution shortly before his death. The date was August 28, vigil of the martyrdom of St. John the Baptist, of whom Mazurek was particularly devoted.
On June 13, 1999, Mazurek was declared one of the 108 blessed Polish martyrs by Pope John Paul II. The group comprises 3 bishops, 52 priests, 26 members of male religious orders, 3 seminarians, 8 religious sisters and 9 lay people. There is a parish named for the 108 martyrs of World War II in Powiercie, Koło County, Poland.
On August 24, 1944, however, all of this changed. Nazis took over the monastery, killing resistants and forcing the rest to dig ditches. Mazurek was separated from the rest and tortured. Later he was taken on a dirt path via a military car to Nawojowa Gora. There, he was kicked out and forced to walk a fair distance. After walking, the Nazis shouted at him. Turning around, he was shot at and mortally wounded. The guards approached him, kicked him, and filled his mouth with dirt. Some of his brothers came from digging ditches and assisted him. He was given absolution shortly before his death. The date was August 28, vigil of the martyrdom of St. John the Baptist, of whom Mazurek was particularly devoted.
On June 13, 1999, Mazurek was declared one of the 108 blessed Polish martyrs by Pope John Paul II. The group comprises 3 bishops, 52 priests, 26 members of male religious orders, 3 seminarians, 8 religious sisters and 9 lay people. There is a parish named for the 108 martyrs of World War II in Powiercie, Koło County, Poland.
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