Blessed Gjon Gazulli

Gjon Gazulli was born at Dajç in Albania on 26 March 1893. At twelve he entered the Pontifical Seminary of Shkodër, and after health problems that interrupted his formation he was ordained in 1919. He led the parish of Gjadër for two years, was sent to Qelëz of Puka until 1925, and then became parish priest of Koman, everywhere winning the love of the people by his help and encouragement. Having founded a parish school for the teaching of the Catholic religion, he was kept under surveillance by a government that suspected him of obstructing the common instruction of Muslims and Christians, and he became unwelcome to the political authorities because of the strong moral and religious influence he exercised over the local people and over his fellow priests.

Although many priests left Albania under the regime of Ahmet Zogu, he stayed with his people, and was arrested on 28 December 1926. Tried in a mock trial and condemned on false charges, he was hanged in the public square of Shkodër on 5 March 1927, dying while forgiving his killers and professing his fidelity to Christ and the Church.