Wednesday’s Woman: Blessed Tarsykia Matskiv

The Basics: March 23, 1919, in Ukraine; died July 18, 1944, in Ukraine; beatified June 27, 2001, by John Paul II; feast day, July 18. Woman religious and martyr.

The Story: Tarsykia’s story is one with little personal drama–until the last day. She entered the Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate congregation shortly after her nineteenth birthday. World War II began between the time she joined the order and took her first vows. Germany occupied Ukraine from 1941 until 1944, when the Russians arrived. Tarsykia had made a private vow to her spiritual director offering her life for the Church and the conversion of Russia. The town where the sisters lived was bombed heavily on July 17; the following day, Tarsykia answered a knock at the gate, believing it would be a priest coming to celebrate Mass. Instead, it was a Soviet soldier who shot her to death without warning. Tarsykia was buried in the convent garden because the sisters believed it would be too dangerous to bury her in the cemetery. Her remains were moved in 1956.

What We Can Learn from Tarsykia: We never know when we will be called to offer up our lives. Resolve in your morning prayers to do your best to live the entire day in a manner pleasing to the Lord.

To Learn More About Tarsykia: The Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate site has more information about Tarsykia and other martyrs who were part of the congregation.

To Learn More About Other Women Saints and Blesseds: Come back next week, or consider buying my book, Sisterhood of Saints: Daily Guidance and Inspiration.