The nine Polish Salesian martyrs

Father Jan Świerc and his eight companions – Ignacy Antonowicz, Ignacy Dobiasz, Karol Golda, Franciszek Harazim, Ludwik Mroczek, Włodzimierz Szembek, Kazimierz Wojciechowski and Franciszek Miśka – were killed between 1941 and 1942 in the Nazi concentration camps at Auschwitz and Dachau out of ‘hatred of the faith’ during the Second World War. All were engaged in Salesian educational and pastoral work before being arrested by the Nazi regime following the occupation of Poland on 1 September 1939. It is worth noting that the youngest of the group, Fr Karol Golda, made his perpetual vows right here in this Basilica of the Sacred Heart on 15 January 1937 and was ordained a priest on 18 December 1938.

The Witness of the Good Shepherd

During his homily, Fr Attard drew upon the Gospel image of the Good Shepherd, as presented in the Gospel of John, to interpret the witness of the nine Blessed in the light of faith. “The Good Shepherd remains and gives his life. Our Blessed ones chose to remain,” he stated, pointing to their sacrifice as the full expression of a life dedicated to the flock entrusted to them.

The Rector Major then emphasised that the fidelity of the Salesian martyrs was not an impromptu gesture, but the fulfilment of a life already lived as a daily gift. In particular, he recalled how some of them continued to exercise their priestly ministry even in the most dramatic circumstances, celebrating the Eucharist in secret, hearing the confessions of their companions and accompanying them right up to the hour of their death.

A central part of the homily concerned forgiveness, presented as the highest form of the Gospel’s victory over evil. The Rector Major recalled, amongst others, the witness of Fr Włodzimierz Szembek, who urged people to pray for their executioners, and of Fr Jan Świerc, who, in his final moments, invoked only the mercy of Jesus. “Forgiveness is not moral weakness. It is the highest form in which the Gospel triumphs over the logic of the world,” he said.

Martyrdom as a seed of vocations

Don Bosco’s 11th Successor recalled that “the sacrifice of our Blesseds has generated life far beyond the borders of Poland and the Congregation”, for even the priestly vocation of St John Paul II came to fruition thanks to the prayers and sacrifices of these Salesian brothers, whose martyred blood became a fruitful seed for new vocations in the Church and a living testimony to the generative power of Christian martyrdom.

Celebrating the glory of Christ

As Cardinal Marcello Semeraro, Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, recalled in his homily at the beatification: “Today we do not celebrate the sadness of those events, but rather the glory of Jesus Christ, which is reflected in the witness of these priests, Sons of St John Bosco, who, like Christ and with Christ, gave their lives”.

At the bottom of the page you can download the Rector Major’s homily, in Italian.

{gallery}RMG – Messa ringraziamento Sacro Cuore martiri polacchi 2026{/gallery}