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Kazimierz GostyіskiBlessed of the Roman Catholic Church, priest, teacher.
Date of Birth: 08.04.1884
Country:  Poland |
Content:
- Blessed Kazimierz Gostynski, Priest and Educator
- Ministry and Founding
- Papal Recognition and Civic Contributions
- Patriotic Resistance and Martyrdom
- Beatification and Legacy
Blessed Kazimierz Gostynski, Priest and Educator
Early Life and EducationBlessed Kazimierz Gostynski was born into a devout Catholic family in Warsaw, Poland. His father, a participant in the Polish uprising of 1863, instilled in him a strong sense of patriotism. In 1904, Kazimierz completed his secondary education in Warsaw. Following his ordination as a priest in 1908, he pursued further theological studies in moral theology at the University of Innsbruck in Austria-Hungary.
Ministry and Founding
Returning to Poland in 1912, Gostynski served as rector of St. Peter's Church in Lublin. Simultaneously, he acted as prefect at a local grammar school until 1914. In 1915, he founded the Jan Zamoyski Men's Gymnasium, a prestigious educational institution in Lublin.
Papal Recognition and Civic Contributions
Pope Pius XI appointed Gostynski as his honorary chaplain in 1922. Three years later, he became a canon of the Lublin Cathedral. In addition to his priestly duties, Gostynski was actively engaged in civic affairs. He contributed to the establishment of the Lublin Society of Friends of the Blind and the Association of Polish Catholic Teachers.
Patriotic Resistance and Martyrdom
With the outbreak of World War II, Gostynski continued his ministry while engaging in patriotic activities. He conducted religious services intended to strengthen the morale of Polish citizens. On January 11, 1940, he was arrested and imprisoned in Lublin Castle. Eventually, he was transferred to the Dachau concentration camp, where he suffered as a victim of the Holocaust, perishing in a gas chamber on May 6, 1942.
Beatification and Legacy
Pope John Paul II beatified Kazimierz Gostynski on June 13, 1999, among 108 Polish martyrs. His feast day in the Catholic Church is June 12. Blessed Gostynski's unwavering faith and commitment to his people serve as an inspiration to generations of Poles and Catholics worldwide.
