The Marian Martyrs of Rosica

69 Eyewitness Accounts I know about the events in Rosica from people I met in the area who were direct witnesses of the events or from those who had been told about them. In May, 1942, Rosica had become a dangerous partisan ter- ritory. [The monastery in] Druja was very well informed about the situation in Rosica by the priests and the Handmaids of Jesus in the Eucharist. In fact, the punitive company consisting of Germans, Latvians, and Estonians was stationed in the Druja monastery preparing for action. At that time, Fr. Walter Laszewski was withdrawn from Rosica by his superiors and sent to Zaszczyryn, which was thought to be a safer place. Father Czeczott was sent back to Druja. Father Anthony Leszczewicz, the superior, stayed on in Rosica. It was better that local priests, rather than those from Poland, be in Rosica, but the only native was Fr. George Kaszyra and so his superi- ors sent him to Rosica to help Fr. Leszczewicz. Father George obeyed the order and went. He surrendered to the will of his superiors, although it was not easy for him because of his fearful disposition. It was a heroic act on his part. He went there and stayed until the end. Soldiers from the punitive company would come during the day and frighten people. At night, the partisans came frightening the people even more. They had to carry on and fulfill their pastoral duties in continuous anxiety and fear amidst all kinds of interrogations. On Sunday, February 14, 1943, Fr. Leszczewicz was in Dryssa. The inhabitants warned him and wanted to make him stay because they knew about the punitive company already approaching from Latvia. However, Fr. Leszczewicz went back because, as a pastor and a superior, he had to go back to Rosica. He belonged there. The faithful were waiting there, along with the Sisters and his vicar, Fr. George. He was responsible for them, so he went back. On the road, he was stopped by parti- sans. They checked his ID, but they let him go beause he was a priest. Any contact with the partisans was punishable by death. On February 14, 1943, Fr. George Kaszyra was in the church in Rosica hearing confessions and saying Holy Mass. Two