The Marian Martyrs of Rosica

24 The Marian Martyrs of Rosica REV. ANICET KOPLINSKI (1875-1941). A Capuchin, the apostle of charity in Warsaw who even during his lifetime was regarded as a saint there. He was sometimes referred to as the St. Francis of Warsaw. He was of German heritage, but he did not use this fact to save his life and he didn’t leave the Monastery. He died in a gas chamber in Auschwitz. MARIANNA BIERNACKA (1888-1943). A lay woman, she offered her life spontaneously to save her daughter-in-law, who was singled out to be shot while she was pregnant. She was shot and killed on July 13, 1943, in Naumowiczy near Grodno, saving the life of her daughter-in-law and unborn grandchild. Those four figures are the most prominent among the large group of heroic witnesses to the faith who were killed in odium fidei (out of hatred toward the faith) in various circumstances and sites, either violently or as a result of prison torment. GROUPS OF MARTYRS Those martyrs who gave eloquent witness of faith were: • Diocesan and religious priests, who died because they refused to give up performing their pastoral mission; • Those who suffered defending Jews or Communists; • Those shot or tortured on a Good Friday as if to show the rela- tionship of their sacrifice with Christ’s sacrifice on the cross; • Convent sisters persistent in their sacrificial and meek service of love, accepting the torments and death in the spirit of faith. Among those heroic testimonies of love for God, several special groups can be identified. The first group includes those who gave their lives in full consciousness in order to save others or to bring love to those who suffered or were meant to die, for example: • FATHER HILARY JANUSZEWSKI (1909-1945). A Car-