Blessed Michaël Kozal
Blessed Michaël Kozal (born September 25, 1893 AD in Nowy Folwark, Poland; died January 26, 1943 AD in Dachau concentration camp, Germany) was a Polish bishop, auxiliary bishop of Włocławek, and a martyr who died in the Dachau concentration camp during the Second World War. He is venerated as a Blessed and martyr of the Church. His feast day is January 26.
A devoted pastor and seminary rector, Bishop Michał Kozal refused to abandon his diocese after the German invasion of Poland and was arrested, imprisoned, and finally sent to Dachau, where he died encouraging his fellow prisoners. He was beatified in 1987.
Stored in Cargo: Blessed Michaël Kozal
| Blessed Michaël Kozal | |
|---|---|
| Feast Day | January 26 |
| Profession | Bishop; seminary rector; martyr |
| Rel. Affiliation | Catholic Church |
| Patronage | The Diocese of Włocławek; those persecuted for the faith |
| Attributes | Episcopal insignia; palm of martyrdom; concentration-camp uniform |
| Birthplace | Nowy Folwark, Poland |
| Death Place | Dachau concentration camp, Germany |
| Cause of Death | Martyrdom; died in the Dachau concentration camp |
| Primary Shrine | Włocławek, Poland |
Biography
Michał Kozal was born on September 25, 1893, at Nowy Folwark in the Poznań region of Poland. Ordained a priest, he served as a curate, catechist, and spiritual director, and was known for his zeal, discipline, and devotion. He became rector of the seminary at Gniezno and later at Włocławek, forming future priests, and in 1939 he was named auxiliary bishop of Włocławek.
Only weeks after his episcopal consecration, Germany invaded Poland and the Second World War began. Bishop Kozal chose to remain with his people and his seminary rather than flee. He was soon arrested by the German occupiers and, after imprisonment and internment in Poland, was deported in 1941 to the concentration camp of Dachau, where many Polish priests and religious were held.
In the camp he suffered hunger, forced labor, humiliation, and beatings, yet he remained a source of strength and hope, ministering secretly to his fellow prisoners and encouraging them to persevere in faith. Weakened by his sufferings, he died at Dachau on January 26, 1943—by some accounts killed by a lethal injection administered to the sick. He was beatified on June 14, 1987, by Pope John Paul II during a visit to Poland, honored as a martyr. His feast is kept on January 26.
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Feast day
January 26
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