Blessed Stanislaw Antoni Trojanowski

Biography

Blessed Stanislaw Antoni Trojanowski, also known as Tymoteusz or Timoteo Trojanowski, was born on July 29, 1908, in Sadlowo, Mazowieckie, in the diocese of Plock, Poland. He was born into a poor rural family and due to their circumstances, he had limited schooling and had to start working from a young age.

On March 5, 1930, at the age of 21, Stanislaw joined the Friars Minor Conventual in Niepokalanów, Poland. He took the religious name Tymoteusz and made his solemn profession on February 11, 1935. In the convent, Tymoteusz dedicated himself to serving others, particularly in the infirmary. He also worked in the warehouse and shipping departments of the magazine Rycerz Niepokalanej, which was founded by Saint Maximilian Kolbe.

At one point, Brother Tymoteusz felt called to the foreign missions, but his plans were interrupted when the Nazis invaded Poland, marking the beginning of World War II. Despite the challenges and dangers posed by the war, Tymoteusz remained dedicated to his religious vocation and his service to others.

In October 1941, the Gestapo arrested Brother Tymoteusz along with six of his fellow friars. They were sentenced to forced labor at the Auschwitz death camp simply because of their Catholic faith. Despite the unimaginable hardships and suffering endured in the camp, Brother Tymoteusz continued to minister to his fellow prisoners, providing spiritual support, comfort, and hope during their darkest hours.

Tragically, Brother Tymoteusz's time in Auschwitz was cut short when he fell ill with pneumonia. He passed away on February 28, 1942, in the death camp's hospital at Oswiecim (Auschwitz), located in Malopolskie, Nazi-occupied Poland. He died as a martyr, unwavering in his devotion to his faith and his dedication to serving those in need.

Blessed Stanislaw Antoni Trojanowski is venerated for his heroic life and martyrdom. On March 26, 1999, Pope John Paul II proclaimed the decree of martyrdom, officially recognizing his sacrifice for the Catholic faith. He was beatified by Pope John Paul II on June 13, 1999.

His feast day is celebrated on February 28, the day of his death, and also on June 12, along with the other 108 Martyrs of World War II. His life serves as a powerful example of faith, courage, and selfless service, reminding us of the importance of standing firm in our beliefs even in the face of persecution and adversity.