Blessed Anna Kolesárová

Biography

Blessed Anna Kolesárová, also known as Anka Kolesárová, was born on 14 July 1928 in Vysoká nad Uhom, in what was then Czechoslovakia (now the Slovak Republic). She came from a devout farming family and was baptized just one day after her birth.

Tragedy struck Anna's life at a young age when her mother passed away when she was only ten years old. Despite this immense loss, Anna took on the responsibility of running the household, caring for her father, Ján "Hru≈°ka" Kolesár, and her brother, Michal.

The events that led to Anna's martyrdom occurred during the turbulent times of World War II, towards its end when Russian soldiers were liberating her area of Slovakia from Nazi occupation. Due to the reputation of the Red Army soldiers as rough and violent, the local families sought hiding to avoid them and the ongoing combat in their villages.

Sadly, on 22 November 1944, Anna's life took a tragic turn. She was discovered by a drunken Red Army soldier who, after making her cook for him, demanded sexual favors. In a display of immense courage and unwavering faith, Anna firmly refused his advances and fled to seek help from her father and brother. Tragically, the soldier pursued her and mercilessly gunned her down, shooting her in the chest and the face with a rifle.

Anna's body was buried in a shallow grave by her family on the evening of the following day, as they still needed to remain in hiding due to the ongoing combat. However, her burial was not the end of her story. Father Anton Lukác, deeply moved by Anna's sacrifice, conducted her proper funeral rites and immediately began his own preliminary investigation into her potential Cause for Canonization.

During the period of Communist Czechoslovakia, the incident involving Anna and gatherings at her grave were prohibited. However, following the fall of the Communist government, her grave became a pilgrimage site for young people, including the Catholic youth organization Domcek, which is dedicated to preserving and honoring her memory.

On 6 March 2018, Pope Francis recognized Anna Kolesárová's martyrdom in defense of chastity, venerating her for her outstanding witness to the Christian faith. Almost six months later, on 1 September 2018, Pope Francis beatified Anna during a ceremony held at the ≈†tadión Lokomotívy in ƒåermeƒæ, Ko≈°ice, Slovakia. The beatification recognition was solemnly celebrated, with Cardinal Giovanni Angelo Becciu serving as the chief celebrant.

The life of Blessed Anna Kolesárová serves as a profound inspiration, demonstrating her unwavering commitment to living a life of virtue and faith, even in the face of grave danger. Her story reminds us of the enduring power of purity, fortitude, and the strength of conviction.