9 Polish Salesians who died at Auschwitz beatified as martyrs
June 15, 2026
» Continue to this story on Agenzia Info Salesiana
CWN Editor's Note: Father Jan Świerc and his eight companions, all of them Salesian priests who died at Auschwitz, were beatified at the Shrine of St. John Paul II the Great in Kraków, Poland.
One of the martyrs, Father Karol Golda, S.D.B., was killed because he heard the confessions of German soldiers.
Cardinal Marcello Semeraro, prefect of the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints, was the principal celebrant at the beatification Mass, which took place on June 6.
The above note supplements, highlights, or corrects details in the original source (link above). About CWN news coverage.
For all current news, visit our News home page.
All comments are moderated. To lighten our editing burden, only current donors are allowed to Sound Off. If you are a current donor, log in to see the comment form; otherwise please support our work, and Sound Off!
-
Posted by: feedback -
Jun. 15, 2026 3:22 AM ET USA
"Father Karol Golda, S.D.B., was killed because he heard the confessions of German soldiers." This is a superbly profound detail showing that the common Faith in Jesus Christ forms bonds of peaceful brotherhood that surpass all differences, including the hostility between citizens of two nations actively at war with each other. It also brings to mind the ballad "Christmas 1915" with lyrics by Cormac MacConnell.
