Early Arrival and Establishment
In September 1929, eleven nuns of the Congregation of the Holy Family of Nazareth arrived in Nowogródek, a small town located in the eastern territories of the Republic of Poland, now part of Belarus. Nowogródek's population was notably diverse, comprising Poles, Jews, Muslims, Belarusians, and Russians.
Upon their arrival, the nuns quickly sought to understand and address the community's needs. They established a school for girls, welcoming students from all backgrounds, including a Muslim girl among their first pupils. Their dedication, faith, hope, and love won them the respect and admiration of the local population.
War and Occupation
In September 1939, the outbreak of World War II brought dramatic changes to Nowogródek. Poland was invaded from the west by Germany and from the east by Soviet Russia. Under Soviet occupation, the nuns were unable to continue running their school and were expelled from their residence. They were forbidden to wear their religious habits and witnessed thousands of local residents being arrested and deported to Kazakhstan and Siberia.
With the withdrawal of Soviet forces and the onset of German occupation, the situation worsened. The Germans initiated a reign of terror, exemplified by the public execution of dozens of Jews in the market square, accompanied by a grotesque orchestra playing waltzes. In July 1942, a mass execution near Nowogródek saw the killing of 60 people, including two priests, Fr. Jozef Kuczynski and Fr. Michal Dalecki.
Martyrdom
The people of Nowogródek, seeking solace amidst the horrors, turned to the church where Fr. Aleksander Zienkiewicz, the only remaining priest, continued to celebrate daily Mass. Despite the ongoing terror and daily executions by the Gestapo, the local community found hope and comfort in their faith.
On the night of July 17-18, 1943, the Gestapo arrested 120 people who were slated for execution. Sister Superior Maria Stella, in a meeting with Fr. Zienkiewicz, expressed a profound willingness to sacrifice herself and her fellow nuns to save others: "My God, if a sacrifice of life is needed, let them kill us and not those who have families. We are even praying for that." Miraculously, the execution was halted, and the 120 individuals were instead sent to forced labor in Germany, where they all survived the war.
However, the Gestapo did not abandon their murderous intent. On July 31, 1943, Sister Maria Stella and her ten companions were summoned to the Gestapo headquarters. After praying the rosary, the nuns reported to the building, fully aware that they might face grave danger.
The eleven nuns—Sisters Stella, Imelda, Rajmunda, Daniela, Kanuta, Sergia, Gwidona, Felicyta, Heliodora, Kanizja, and Boromea—were joined by a twelfth nun, Sister Malgorzata, who was instructed to stay behind due to her civilian work at the hospital. The nuns expected possible deportation to Germany, but instead, they faced immediate execution. On August 1, 1943, at dawn, they were taken to a wooded area near Nowogródek and executed.
Aftermath and Beatification
In 1945, World War II ended, and those who had been saved by the nuns' ultimate sacrifice, including Fr. Zienkiewicz and Sister Malgorzata, survived the war. Their story of sacrifice and faith endured, becoming a powerful testament to their unwavering love and commitment.
On March 5, 2000, Pope John Paul II beatified the eleven nuns, honoring their martyrdom and profound act of love. In his address, he quoted John 15:13, "No one has greater love than this—that one lays down his life for his friends,” highlighting the nuns' ultimate act of selflessness.
Legacy
The legacy of Blessed Mary Stella and Her Ten Companions remains a powerful symbol of faith, love, and sacrifice. Their story continues to inspire and remind us of the profound impact of selfless acts in the face of unimaginable adversity. The nuns of Nowogródek exemplify the highest ideals of Christian faith, offering their lives to save others and standing as eternal witnesses to the power of love and the human spirit's resilience.
| Sister Maria Stella, Superior | Adelaide Mardosiewicz | (1888-1943) |
| Sister Mary Imelda | Jadwiga Zak | (1892-1943) |
| Sister Mary Rajmunda | Anna Kukulowicz | (1892-1943) |
| Sister Maria Daniela | Eleanor Juzwik | (1895-1943) |
| Sister Maria Kanuta | Jozefa Chrobot | (1896-1943) |
| Sister Maria Gwidona | Helena Cierpka | (1900-1943) |
| Sister Maria Sergia | Julia Rapieg | (1900-1943) |
| Sister Maria Kanizja | Eugenia Mackiewicz | (1904-1943) |
| Sister Maria Felicyta | Paulina Borowik | (1905-1943) |
| Sister Maria Heliodora | Leokadia Matustzewska | (1906-1943) |
| Sister Maria Boromea | Veronika Narmuntowicz | (1916-1943) |
Prayer through the Intercession of the Nowogródek Martyrs
O Blessed Mary Stella and Companions, Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth, you who generously offered your lives as a sacrifice of love for others, intercede for us before the throne of God.
May your example of faith, hope, and charity inspire us to live our lives with the same devotion and courage. Through your intercession, obtain for us the grace we humbly ask [mention your intention here] and help us to witness the love of Christ to all.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Blessed Martyred Sisters of Nowogródek, pray for us.
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