Michal Wozniak Blessed of the Roman Catholic Church, priest, martyr Date of Birth: 09.09.1875 Country: Dive

1. Blessed Roman Catholic Priest and Martyr
2. Early Life and Education
3. Ordination and Pastoral Ministry
4. Decanal Service
5. Appointment to Kutno
6. Imprisonment and Martyrdom
7. Beatification

Blessed Roman Catholic Priest and Martyr

Michał Woźniak, a Polish priest, is remembered as a martyr of the Roman Catholic Church and one of the 108 Polish martyrs beatified by Pope John Paul II on June 13, 1999, during his visit to Warsaw.

Early Life and Education

Born in 1880, Woźniak entered the Salesian educational institution in Lombriasco, Italy, from 1897 to 1900. In 1902, he continued his studies at the Higher Spiritual Seminary in Warsaw.

Ordination and Pastoral Ministry

On September 20, 1906, Woźniak was ordained a priest. He served as a pastor in various parishes, including Wisniewo, where his efforts led to the return of approximately 100 people to the Catholic Church from the Mariavite movement.

Decanal Service

From 1920 to 1941, Woźniak served as dean of the Jadów deanery. He oversaw the construction of a neo-Gothic church that had been destroyed by Russian forces in 1915.

Appointment to Kutno

In January 1923, Woźniak was appointed rector of the parish in Kutno. He remained there until his arrest by German authorities on October 6, 1941.

Imprisonment and Martyrdom

Woźniak was sent to the Dachau concentration camp on October 30, 1941, where he died on May 16, 1942. He left behind a personal diary, which was published in two parts, "Kronika Parafii Chojnata" and "Wspomnienia."

Beatification

On June 13, 1999, Woźniak was beatified alongside other Polish martyrs of World War II. His feast day is celebrated on June 12.