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Feast Day: October 2
Birth: August 21, 1881
Death: October 1, 2
Blessed Maria Anna Kratochwil, also known as Maria Antonina or Sister Antonina, was a devout Catholic nun who dedicated her life to serving God and others. She was born on 21 August 1881 in Ostrava (also known as Witkowice), located in the Ostravsk√Ω kraj region of Poland which is now part of the modern Czech Republic.
Maria Anna joined the School Sisters of Our Lady in 1901, embracing a religious vocation and committing herself fully to a life of prayer, service, and education. After completing her initial formation, she made her profession on 27 September 1910 in Breslau, Silesia.
Throughout her life, Blessed Maria Anna Kratochwil served in various educational institutions, guiding and nurturing the spiritual growth of countless individuals. She taught at an elementary school in Karwina, Poland, from 1906 to 1917. Later, she moved to Lwów, Poland (present-day Lviv, Ukraine) and continued her teaching career there from 1917 to 1925.
Recognized for her leadership abilities and deep spiritual insights, Sister Antonina was appointed as the head of a Congregation boarding school and served as the spiritual director of candidates to the Congregation in Tlumacz, Poland from 1925 to 1932. She then returned to Lwów in 1931 and continued her role as the head of the sisters until 1939.
In 1940, during the turbulent years of World War II, Sister Antonina became the head of the sisters in Mikuliczyn, Poland. Sadly, this period of her life was marked by great suffering and persecution. Along with several of her sisters, she was imprisoned by the Nazis and subjected to repeated torture.
Despite the unimaginable pain and cruelty she endured, Blessed Maria Anna Kratochwil remained steadfast in her faith and unwavering in her dedication to God. She ultimately gave her life as a martyr for her beliefs, being tortured to death on 2 October 1942 in Ivano-Frankivs‚Äôk (then known as Stanislawów), Ukraine.
The exact location of her grave remains unknown, a haunting reminder of the sacrifices made by countless individuals during the dark days of the war.
Blessed Maria Anna Kratochwil's selflessness and unwavering commitment to her faith were recognized by the Catholic Church. On 26 March 1999, Pope John Paul II decreed her martyrdom, venerated her as a blessed, and declared her feast day to be 2 October. As one of the 108 Martyrs of World War II, she is also honored on 12 June each year.
Her beatification took place on 13 June 1999, conducted by Pope John Paul II in Warsaw, Poland, where her extraordinary life and ultimate sacrifice continue to inspire generations with her example of faith, love, and devotion to God.