Young Men of Faith

German occupied PoznanThe 1st September 1939 Hitler invaded Poland, beginning the Second World War. The Salesian House in Poznan in Wroniecka /vroniyes’ka/ Street was occupied and turned into a barracks for German soldiers. The young people continued gathering in the woods outside the city as well as in the city gardens.

AccusedA number of secret societies came into being. In September 1940 Francis Kesy and four companions from the oratory were arrested and accused of belonging to an illegal organisation.

ConvictedThey were taken to the fearful Fort VII near Poznan, where they were tortured and interrogated. Following this they were taken to various other prisons where they were not always lucky enough to be together. Taken back to Poznan they were processed, accused of High Treason and condemned to death.

Faith expressed in prison lifeThey were martyred at Dresda on the 24th August 1942. They went to prison in a spirit of faith and living out their Salesian spirituality. They prayed constantly: rosary, novenas to Don Bosco and Mary Help of Christians, morning and evening prayer. The tried to stay in contact with their families through messages they often succeeded in sending secretly.

Credible witnesses until the endThey gave them courage, asked for their prayers and assured them they would pray for them,. When it was possible they celebrated liturgical feasts happily in their cell. Their faith never wavered. They remained credible witnesses until the end.

THE FIVE YOUNG MEN

Franciszek KesyFrancis Kesy was born in Berlin on the 13th November 1920. The family moved to Poznan for the father’s work. Francis was an aspirant at the Salesian minor seminary in Lad.

During the occupation, unable to continue his studies, he got work in a local industry. He spent his free time at the Oratory, where, in a close friendship of ideals with the other four, he led youth groups and activities.

People recall that he was sensitive, but at the same time happy, quiet, and good person, and was always ready to help others. Almost every day he went to communion; he said the rosary of an evening. “At Wronki, since I was alone in my cell” he wrote in a message to his family “I had time to think about myself. I promised to live differently, like Don Bosco told us, living to please the Lord and his Mother, Mary most holy. …I pray to the good God that all this tribulations will affect me and not you”.

Edward KlinikEdward Klinik was born in Bochum the 21st June 1919, timid and quiet, became much livelier once he came to the oratory. He was a systematic kind of student, responsible.

He stood out for being much involved in all kinds of activity, and gave the impression of being the more serious and deeper thinker of the group.

Jarogniew WojciechowskiJarogniew Wojciechowski was born in Poznan the 5th November 1922, was thoughtful, and would try to get an overall view of things to try to understand events. He was a leader in the best sense of the term. He stood out for his good humour, involvement and witness.

Czeslaw JozwiakCzeslaw Jozwiak was born in Lazynie, the 7th September 1919, could be hot-tempered, but spontaneous, full of energy, in control of himself, ready for sacrifice, consistent and positive. He aspired to Christian perfection and progress in it.

One of his prison mates wrote: “He had a good character and heart, and a soul like crystal... He confided in me concerning one of his worries: never to commit any kind of impurity”.

Edward KazmierskiEdward Kazmierski was born in Poznan on the 1st October 1919, was known for seriousness, prudence, goodness. He was able to develop his musical talent at the oratory. The religious life of the family and when he was with the Salesians soon gave him a certain maturity. In prison he showed great love towards his older companions. He was free of any hatred for those who were persecuting him.

Salesian Polish Martyrs: Young Men of Faith!The Salesian oratory at Poznań, Poland, has its martyrs: Edward Klinik (23), Francis Kesy (22), Jarogniew Wojciechowski (20), Czesław Józwiak (22), and Edward Kaźmierski (23).

Fr. Vecchi (our Salesian Rector Major at the time of the beatification) spoke about them in this way on the occasion of their beatification: “Each of them had his own particular biography which then became inter-twined with that of the others in the common Salesian setting that prepared them in a human and spiritual way to embrace martyrdom.” These young men give outstanding proof of the strong formative influence of life at the oratory, when there is opportunity for co-responsibility, when the educational approach is personalized and when the Salesians are capable of guiding the youngsters along the path of faith and grace.

They were arrested by the Nazis in September 1940 and imprisoned in Fortress VII in Poznań. They were then moved first to the Neukoln prison, and then to Zwickau, where they were questioned and tortured and then condemned to hard labor. Two notes show that we are dealing with giants of the spirit: “God alone knows what we are suffering. Prayer was our only support in the darkest nights and days.” “God has given us this cross, and he is giving us the strength to carry it.” They were condemned to death for treason on August 1, 1942. The verdict was followed by a long silence until one of the five exclaimed: “Thy will be done.” They were condemned simply for belonging to Catholic organizations, which it was suspected might give rise to resistance movements.

Before they died they were able to write to their parents. Reading these lines one is astounded as before the truly great. As an example there are the words written by Francis: “My dearest parents, brothers and sisters, the time has come to say goodbye to you on August 24, the day of Mary Help of Christians … May the Good Lord take me to himself. Don’t have regrets that I am leaving this world so young. I am now in a state of grace. ... I am going to heaven. There I shall pray to God … Pray sometimes for me … I’m going now.” They were taken into the prison yard in Dresden and beheaded. The monthly commemoration of Mary Help of Christians was being celebrated in our communities on that day.

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