The Marian Martyrs of Rosica

47 The second testimonial comes from Fr. Joseph Pietuszko. He remembers that when his family was living in Rosica for a brief time, Fr. Leszczewicz sometimes visited them in the evening and had long discussions with the father of the future Fr. Joseph. The boy was ten at the time, and he would listen to these conversations from his bed. Watching the priest and lis- tening to what he was saying, little Joseph desired to become a priest like him. These are the three generations of priests who emulated each other in turn: Sigmund Lozinski, Anthony Leszczewicz, Joseph Pietuszko. In connection with the canonization process begun on January 26, 1992 to recognize Fr. George Kaszyra andAnthony Leszczewicz as martyrs, in September of 1992 the canonization tribunal came to Rosica in order to visit the execution sites and the graves of the incinerated priests. Discussions were held then about restoring to worship the appropriate sites of martyr- dom and the resting places of the cremated victims. In the middle of October, a meeting was organized by the pastor of Rosica, Fr. Anthony Los, a Marian, in collaboration with school representatives and other officials and community leaders. As a result, the execution sites were cared for. The site of the former stable was straightened up, as well as the grounds around it. The former memorial tablet was raised and a tall wooden cross was erected. On All Saints Day in 1992, Fr. Anthony Los, the delegate of the Archbishop for propagating the cult of martyrs in the arch- diocese, celebrated Holy Mass at the memorial site and deliv- ered an appropriate homily in which he mentioned the fiftieth anniversary of the martyrdom of many inhabitants of Rosica and the surrounding neighborhood, and especially the two priests, Anthony Leszczewicz and George Kaszyra; and he consecrated the new cross. Several speeches were delivered. Sister Hedwig Wirszuto remembered the martyred priests. Choirs from Druja and Idolta performed sacred music. Then everyone went to the place where Fr. Kaszyra and those burned together with him had died. There, too, a new large cross was consecrated. It had been erected on the already arranged site Blessed Anthony Leszczewicz