Beato Shtjefën Kurti

Blessed Shtjefën Kurti studied in Albania, Graz, Feldkirch, and Innsbruck in Austria, and in Rome, Italy. He was ordained a priest in Rome on May 13, 1924, for the archdiocese of Tiranë-Durrës, Albania. He served as a parish priest in Skopje and Novoselo from 1921 to 1929. To escape persecutions in the region, he transferred to pastoral work in other parts of Albania, where he continued to serve the faithful with dedication. When the Communist regime came to power, Father Shtjefën was targeted along with many other Catholic clergy. He was arrested, imprisoned, and subjected to torture. He remained steadfast in his faith throughout his suffering and is honored among the Martyrs of Albania, who bore witness to Christ under the brutal anti-religious campaign of the Communist government.