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Feast Day: May 12
Birth: November 16, 1917
Death: May 1, 12
Blessed Dedô Malaj was born on 16 November 1917 in the village of Dushkul, Mali Shôngjinit, in the Lezhô region of Albania. He dedicated his life to the service of God, becoming a devout Catholic priest and martyr.
Dedô Malaj received his education at the Pontifical French Seminary and also studied in Italy. His strong faith and commitment to his vocation led him to be ordained as a priest on 20 December 1942 in Castel Gandolfo, Rome, Italy. He was assigned as a priest in the archdiocese of Shkodrô-Pult, Albania.
As a parish priest in the Buna Daj√ßit Coast area, Blessed Dedô Malaj tirelessly served the local community, offering spiritual guidance and support to the faithful. His love for God and his people was evident in his pastoral care and dedication to his ministry.
However, his unwavering faith and commitment to the Catholic Church put him in direct conflict with the communist regime in Albania. During the period of anti-Christian persecutions under the Albanian Communist government, Blessed Dedô Malaj remained steadfast in his beliefs, refusing to renounce his faith or compromise his values.
On 12 May 1959, Blessed Dedô Malaj was shot and martyred in Shkodrô, Albania, as a result of the communist regime's hostility towards the Catholic Church. His sacrifice bore witness to his unwavering dedication to God and his Church, even in the face of persecution and death.
Recognizing his martyrdom, Pope Francis proclaimed the venerable Dedô Malaj as Blessed on 5 November 2016. The beatification ceremony took place at the Square of the Cathedral of Shôn Shtjefnit in Shkodôr, Albania, presided over by Cardinal Angelo Amato.
As a martyr of the Catholic Church, Blessed Dedô Malaj's feast day is celebrated on 12 May each year. His beatification serves as a reminder of the courage and faithfulness of those who have given their lives for the sake of Christ.
Blessed Dedô Malaj's example of unwavering faith and dedication to his ministry continues to inspire and strengthen the Catholic Church in Albania and beyond. He stands as a shining example of selflessness and commitment to the gospel, and his life and martyrdom can serve as a reminder to all believers of the importance of defending and proclaiming the truth, even in the face of adversity.