The Marian Martyrs of Rosica

CHAPTER FIFTEEN EYEWITNESS ACCOUNT OF THE MARTYRS’ASHES SR. APOLONIA PIETKUN, SJE As an adolescent girl, I had heard that there was a convent in Druja, 20 kilometers from where I lived, in which beautiful services were held. The priests delivered wonderful sermons and there were also Sisters. I felt a desire to go there. I visited the church in Druja for the first time on August 2, 1925, when I was 17. I wanted to stay with the Sisters whom I saw there. After I came home, I kept thinking about it. I was in Druja again at the Feast of the Virgin on May 3, 1926. Again, I had a similar feeling. I even spoke with the Mother Superior, Wanda Jeute, about my desire to join the convent. My wish did not come true because a dowry was necessary. In the fall of 1927, I went to Druja again. Then I spoke about joining the Congregation with the new Mother Superior, Sister Josepha Zuk. I was accepted and soon I found myself happy among the Sisters in Druja. As a postulant, as I was cleaning the high school classrooms in the fall of 1927, I met George Kaszyra. He was a student in the seventh grade. When Br. George was preparing kerosene lamps and bringing them to the classrooms, he didn’t talk much. He would just praise Jesus and not say another word. I admired his concentration, modesty, and helpfulness. I was and still am convinced he was a good religious. Later I used to see George when, as a seminary student in Vilnius, he some- times visited Druja. Finally, I saw him when, as a priest, he celebrated holy Mass in the Sisters’ chapel and I was the sac- ristan. I met Fr. Anthony Leszczewicz in the fall of 1939 when he came to Druja. I was closer to him. I benefited from the