Blessed Juliana Kubitzki

Biography

Blessed Juliana Kubitzki, also known as Sister Maria Edelburgis, was born on 9 February 1905 in Dabrówka Dolna, Pokój, Namyslów, Poland. She was the fifth of six children born to Wilhelm and Katarzyna née Bieniek. Juliana was baptized just five days after her birth and grew up in a devoutly religious family. Her older brother, Piotr, went on to become a monk.

Inspired by the faith and dedication of her family, Juliana felt called to a life of service to God and others. On 15 September 1929, she joined the Sisters of Saint Elizabeth and took the religious name of Sister Maria Edelburgis. She made her first profession on 28 April 1931 and her perpetual profession on 29 June 1936 in Wroclaw, Poland.

Sister Maria underwent rigorous training and became a certified nurse in 1932. Her skills and compassion led her to be assigned to serve as an outpatient nurse and care for the elderly in Wroclaw-Nadodrze and Zary, Poland. She dedicated herself wholeheartedly to her duties, offering comfort and healing to those in need.

Tragically, Sister Maria's life was cut short due to the brutalities of World War II. As the Soviet army advanced and occupied the area, she and the other sisters sought refuge in the local presbytery in Zary. However, their hiding place was discovered by a group of Russian soldiers. Displaying immense courage and a fierce determination to protect her fellow sisters, Sister Maria fought against the soldiers' attempts to take her away. Sadly, she was beaten and ultimately martyred, being shot several times on 20 February 1945 in Zary, Poland.

Blessed Juliana Kubitzki is remembered as a martyr who gave her life in defense of her faith and her fellow religious sisters. Her unwavering commitment to serving others and her unyielding devotion to God continue to inspire and bear witness to the power of sacrifice and love.

Blessed Juliana's martyrdom was officially recognized by Pope Francis on 19 June 2021, who declared her venerable. She was subsequently beatified on 11 June 2022 by Pope Francis, affirming her status as a blessed in the Catholic Church. Sister Maria's remains were laid to rest in the cemetery of the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Zary.

Her feast day is commemorated on 20 February, the day of her martyrdom. Though no specific representation is mentioned, her example of bravery and selflessness serves as a powerful testament to the transformative and sacrificial love found in the Catholic faith.