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Feast Day: February 23
Birth: May 5, 1908
Death: February 1, 23
Blessed Elfrieda Schilling, also known as Sister Maria Rosaria, was born on 5 May 1908 in Wroclaw, Poland. Raised in an Evangelical family, she had a deep spiritual longing and at the age of 20, Elfrieda embraced Catholicism and converted to the faith. Inspired by her newfound beliefs, she discerned a religious vocation and joined the Sisters of Saint Elizabeth.
Throughout her life, Elfrieda dedicated herself to serving in various capacities at Sister houses in different cities. She displayed exceptional administrative skills and was entrusted with important responsibilities in the Elizabethan Sisters' houses located in Hamburg-Eimsbüttel, Glogów, Nysa, Katowice, Legnica, Chojnów, and Nowogrodziec.
Tragically, during the tumultuous end of World War II, the Soviet army overran the region where Sister Elfrieda resided. In an effort to protect their lives, she and several other Sisters sought refuge in an air-raid shelter. However, their hiding place was discovered by Russian soldiers. Sister Elfrieda, known for her unwavering faith and courage, valiantly resisted the soldiers' advances. Despite her brave resistance, she was beaten, gang-raped, and ultimately martyred by a Communist party commissar.
Blessed Elfrieda Schilling's extraordinary witness to the Catholic faith and her sacrifice in the face of unimaginable brutality are a testament to her unwavering commitment to Christ. Her martyrdom is a stark reminder of the atrocities committed during times of war and the strength of those who remain faithful to their beliefs in the midst of darkness.
Recognizing her heroic virtues and martyrdom, Pope Francis issued a decree of martyrdom on 19 June 2021, affirming her veneration as Blessed. On 11 June 2022, in a beatification ceremony held in the Cathedral of Swiety Jan Chrzciciel in Wroclaw, Poland, Cardinal Marcello Semeraro presided over the beatification, formally recognizing Blessed Elfrieda Schilling. Her feast day is celebrated on 23 February each year.
Blessed Elfrieda Schilling serves as an inspiring example of courage, faith, and fortitude in the face of persecution. Her life and martyrdom continue to inspire Catholics around the world, encouraging them to remain steadfast in their beliefs and to stand up against injustice.