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Feast Day: May 23
Birth: January 6, 1910
Death: May 23, 1940
Blessed Józef Kurzawa, also known as N/A, was a Catholic priest who served in the diocese of Wloclawek, Poland. He was born on 6 January 1910 in Swierczyni, a village located in the region of Wielkopolskie, Poland.
From a young age, Józef Kurzawa felt a calling to the priesthood and dedicated his life to serving God and his community. He studied theology and was ordained as a priest, embarking on a mission to bring solace, guidance, and the word of God to his congregation.
During World War II, when Poland was under German occupation, Józef Kurzawa fearlessly continued his ministry, providing spiritual support and strength to the people amidst the chaos and oppression. However, his unwavering dedication to his faith and his role as a Catholic priest made him a target of the occupying Nazi forces.
Tragically, on 23 May 1940, Blessed Józef Kurzawa was martyred by the Nazi regime for the "crime" of being a Catholic priest. He was brutally murdered in Witowo, a village located in the Kujawsko-Pomorskie region of Poland. Even in the face of such persecution, Józef Kurzawa displayed immense courage and devotion, remaining steadfast to his faith until the very end.
Recognizing his heroic martyrdom, Pope John Paul II, the Polish pontiff, issued a decree of martyrdom on 26 March 1999, venerated Józef Kurzawa. Then, on 13 June 1999, Pope John Paul II beatified him, celebrating his selflessness and sacrifice as an exemplary model of Catholic virtue.
As one of the 108 Martyrs of World War II, Blessed Józef Kurzawa is remembered and honored on two feast days annually: 23 May and 12 June. His life serves as a testament to the power of faith, and his martyrdom embodies the resilience and unwavering commitment of Catholic priests during a time of great darkness and brutality.
Blessed Józef Kurzawa's story continues to inspire and remind us of the importance of religious freedom and the courage to defend one's faith, even in the face of great adversity. May his memory be eternal, and may his intercession bring solace and strength to all those who seek it.