Blessed Dedë Maçaj
Feast Day
28-Mar
Born
5 February 1920 in Mali Jushit, Shkodrë, Albania
Died
28 March 1947 in Përmet, Albania
Beatified
5 November 2016 by Pope Francis; beatification celebrated at the Square of the Cathedral of Shën Shtjefnit, Shkodër, Albania, presided by Cardinal Angelo Amato
Venerated
26 April 2016 by Pope Francis (decree of martyrdom)
Biography
Blessed Dedë Maçaj studied at the Shkodra Pontifical Seminary in Albania and continued his formation in Rome, Italy. He was ordained a priest on March 19, 1944, for the archdiocese of Shkodrë-Pult, Albania. Following the Communist takeover of Albania, the new regime launched a brutal campaign against the Catholic Church. Father Dedë was ordered into military service by the anti-Catholic authorities, and was subsequently imprisoned, tortured, and executed on false charges of spying for the Vatican. He is honored among the Martyrs of Albania, courageous clergy and faithful who gave their lives rather than renounce their faith under one of the most repressive atheist regimes in history.
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