A World War II Missionary

One missionary Brother gave his life to save others in World War II

Boleslaw Frackowiak was born in Poland on July 18, 1911. He was raised in a deeply religious family and was one of 12 children. While his parents looked to him for help on the family farm, Boleslaw preferred to play. He was known to say masses, preach, and even mold little crosses and figurines of saints from clay for his friends. The young boy was also an active altar server at his parish. As he grew older, he grew in faith and began to feel a call to religious life.

Religious Formation

Boleslaw was admitted to Górna Grupa, where the Divine Word Missionaries had their postulancy and the novitiate for religious brothers. After finishing his first year, Boleslaw took the religious name Grzegorz (Gregory) in September 1930.

He started working in the printing press, where he learned bookbinding. Grzegorz was described as a zealous novice and a diligent worker. Those who knew him remembered him as a smiling, helpful person at the press. He was always quick to volunteer his skills in the sacristy. Grzegorz pitched in wherever he was needed, working in the kitchen and caring for the poor who came to the house. Novice Master described him as a "faultless monk."

War Time

During World War II, Bro. Grzegorz remained behind in an internment camp to help prisoners before engaging in underground efforts to sustain faith in his hometown. He collaborated with his parish priest to teach religion to children and cared for the sick and elderly. When the Gestapo jailed the priest, Grzegorz protected the Blessed Sacrament and distributed Holy Communion. Skilled in bookbinding, he was compelled to join a printing press and eventually contributed to an underground newspaper resisting the Nazis. When the Gestapo discovered the publication, Grzegorz took the blame to protect others. Imprisoned, he led rosary prayers, faced cruel treatment, and endured torture, remaining steadfast in his faith and selflessness.

Memorialized as a Martyr

Bro. Grzegorz was transferred to Dresden prison and sentenced to death. Just hours before his execution on May 5, 1943, he wrote a heartfelt letter to his family, urging them not to mourn but to pray for his soul. He assured them of his clear conscience and asked forgiveness for any wrongs. Grzegorz's selflessness saved others; by accepting responsibility for the underground publication, he ensured their release. During the Beatification Mass for Grzegorz and 107 Polish martyrs, Pope John Paul II recognized their dedication to charity, highlighting their Christ-like sacrifice in laying down their lives for others. 

Pope John Paul II in his homily during the Beatification Mass said:

“If we rejoice today for the beatification of 108 martyrs, clergy and lay people, we do so above all because they bear witness to the victory of Christ, the gift which restores hope. As we carry out this solemn act, there is in a way rekindled in us the certainty that, independently of the circumstances, we can achieve complete victory in all things through the One who has loved us (cf. Rom 8:37). The blessed martyrs cry to our hearts: Believe in God who is love! Believe in him in good times and bad! Awaken hope! May it produce in you the fruit of fidelity to God in every trial!”
 

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