The Marian Martyrs of Rosica

94 The Marian Martyrs of Rosica vian border. Still, Fr. Leszczewicz went back to his post. His religious brother, younger friend, and vicar, Fr. Kaszyra, was there. The Sisters he had brought for missionary work were there. His parishioners remained there. So, like a good shep- herd, he went back to his flock. On his way he was met by par- tisans, but they let him go because he was a priest. On Tuesday, February 16, bells began to ring. The Germans rounded up the first groups of people and held them in the church in Rosica: Mothers with babies, children, youngsters, and old people. They also herded us Sisters inside. In the church there was shouting, crying, and despair. At the request of Fr. Leszczewicz, a German read out our names and ordered the Sisters to leave the church and go to the rectory. The priests stayed in the church during all of Tuesday and all night. They celebrated Holy Masses, listened to confessions, and adminis- tered other sacraments. On Wednesday, February 17, Fr. Kaszyra came to the recto- ry, heard our confessions, and gave us Holy Communion. During the day, the priests persevered in their priestly ministry in the church. We kept bringing bread, milk, and whatever we had to the church, especially for the children. In the afternoon of February 17, about 4 p.m., Fr. Leszczewicz appeared. He said farewell to us. He was full of joy. He said with a smile: “Bear up and pray. I am going to show them the warehouse.”And he never came back. When we tried to return to the church, the officer stopped us and didn’t let us in. He said that Fr. Kaszyra would come right back. Late in the evening, Fr. Kaszyra actually returned and said to us: “Father Leszczewicz is already dead and tomorrow I will be dead too.” At night, fromWednesday to Thursday, February 17-18, the Sisters were continually praying in a bedroom. In the dining room, Fr. Kaszyra kept vigil all night long. He was praying, walking around, kneeling, and prostrating himself. On Thursday, February 18, he brought the Blessed Sacrament from the church and distributed it among us. At 10