The Marian Martyrs of Rosica

CHAPTER TEN EYEWITNESS ACCOUNT OF A PRIESTLY VISIT FELICIA JURAHA, ROSICA When the priests from Druja came to Rosica, religious life in the parish revived. People began to come to the church in throngs. The priests were very accessible, and they spoke our local language. They began to visit the villages. Joseph Szukiel took Fr. Leszczewicz to my native village Bandzile. First, peo- ple met together in one house for common prayer. Then the priest chatted with everyone. Only later did he visit each house. When he came to visit us, I remember that he asked if the par- ents were married, if the children were baptized, and if we went to confession. I was 25 years old then, and I had never been to confession. Then he said to me: “Before you confess, you must first be well prepared, learn how to pray, and know the main truths of faith. “I, too,” said Fr. Leszczewicz, “before I decided to become a priest, first had to consider it thoroughly, and only then did I make my decision.” He always tried to notice every- one, whether it was a child, an adult, or an elderly person. He didn’t wait for someone to greet him; he would speak first. My grandfather, Anthony Juraha, told me that when he went to Rosica as a cart driver, he was a witness when the Germans ordered the priests to walk away from the people and not join any group. But the priests didn’t want to abandon the people. Being good pastors, they went to their deaths voluntarily, along with their parishioners, out of love for their fellow man and Christ. Therefore they died as martyrs for the Faith.