Please note: Wednesday’s Woman will become an occasional post after this week, because I’m working on a companion book for Franciscan Media tentatively titled Brotherhood of Saints: Daily Guidance and Inspiration. I’ll be adding Monday’s Man posts in the coming weeks; please email me with anyone you’d like to see featured (or included in Brotherhood. Thanks!)
The Basics: Born November 20, 1899, in Poland; died November 11, 1939, in Poland; beatified June 13, 1999, by John Paul II; feast days, November 11, and June 12 (108 Blessed Polish Martyrs). Woman religious; martyr.
The Story: Alicja had a passion for the Lord… and her country. She was only twenty when she became a nurse, caring for Polish soldiers at 
the end of World War I. But after the war, she answered a call to religious life, becoming part of the congregation of the Sisters of the Resurrection in 1922.
The intervening fifteen years brought much activity in her vocation, serving as superior of her community and principal of the Catholic school at a town in northern Poland. But it was her World War I service that was of primary interest after the Germans overtook Poland in October 1939. Alicja found herself on a blacklist. While there were attempts to hide her, a monastery janitor betrayed her, and she was arrested on October 24. As she was taken away, Alicja said she forgave the man.
During her three weeks or so in captivity, it is said Alicja provided comfort and support to others being held. Then on November 11, she and a group of others were marched into nearby woods. They were forced to dig their own graves then were shot. It’s believed that about 300 people were killed that day in Piasnica Wielka; in less than a year, as many as 14,000 were executed there. Shortly before the end of World War II, the bodies were dug up and burned. While no trace of Alicja has been found, a rosary that likely belonged to a Resurrection sister was recovered.
Alicja’s Wisdom: “I desire to live and die for Christ, loving Him above all, since He is the greatest love, Lord, God, and my all.”
What We Can Learn from Alicja: We never know when we may be called to die–physically, spiritually, or emotionally-for our beliefs. When we are persecuted, may we be inspired and fed by her example.
To Learn More About Alicja: Visit the Muzeum Piasnickie site to read about an exhibition of her relics. Or, check out her biography, Like a Drop of Water in the Ocean: The Life and Martyrdom of Blessed Sister Alice Kotowska.
To Learn More About Other Women Saints and Blesseds: Consider buying my book, Sisterhood of Saints: Daily Guidance and Inspiration.
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