Blessed Kolë Shllaku

Blessed Kolë Shllaku was born to Loros and Marë Ashtës. He studied at Franciscan schools and entered the Franciscan Friars Minor as a novice on October 4, 1922, making his perpetual vows on September 13, 1928 and taking the name Gjon. He pursued theological studies in the Netherlands and was ordained a priest on March 15, 1931. A man of wide intellectual interests, he studied science, history, and philosophy. When the Communist regime seized power in Albania and launched its brutal persecution of the Catholic Church, Father Kolë was arrested along with many other clergy. He endured imprisonment and torture before being executed for his faith. He is honored among the Martyrs of Albania who witnessed to Christ under one of the most repressive atheist regimes of the twentieth century.