Month of Saints - Day 29
One of my source books is New Saints and Blesseds of the Catholic Church by Ferdinand Holbock. Our featured saint today comes from Volume 2.
Blessed Karolina Kozka is sometimes known as the "Maria Goretti of Poland." She was born in 1898, one of 11 children (sources vary as to whether she was the 4th, 7th or 8th born). She grew up in a Catholic family that prayed every day and Karolina would pray the rosary almost constantly. She devoted her time to her brothers and sisters, as well as children of neighboring families, giving them religious instruction.
In 1914, World War I broke out in Poland. The Russian army began capturing cities, and in November 1914, they controlled Wal-Ruda, where the Kozkas family lived. On November 18, an armed Russian soldier came to their house, and he ordered Karolina and her father to go with him, saying he was taking them to the commanding officer. At the edge of the forest, the father was ordered to return home. Once he had the girl alone, the soldier attacked Karolina, attempting to force himself on her. She struggled and refused to give in. Angered, the soldier stabbed her several times with his bayonet. She escaped, running into the swamps where it was difficult for the soldier to follow, but it was too late. She had lost too much blood and died in the swamps. It was not until December 4, 16 days later, that her body was found. Her tomb soon became a place of prayer and veneration for local villagers.
In 1987, Pope St. John Paul II beatified Karolina as a martyr for Christ. Her feast day is November 18.
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