Polish priest and martyr, courageously upheld his faith and served his community during the Nazi occupation, ultimately sacrificing his life at Stutthof concentration camp.
Blessed Franciszek Rogaczewski (1892–1940) was a Polish Roman Catholic priest and martyr, renowned for his unwavering faith and dedication to his parishioners during a time of intense persecution. Born on December 23, 1892, in Lipinki, Kujawsko-Pomorskie, Poland, he pursued his theological studies and was ordained in Gdańsk in 1918. As the pastor of Christ the King parish, Rogaczewski was a highly esteemed confessor, known for his deep commitment to fostering a vibrant Polish religious and cultural community during the interwar period.
With the onset of World War II and the Nazi invasion of Poland, the regime targeted religious leaders to suppress Polish identity and Catholic faith. Father Rogaczewski was arrested on September 1, 1939, solely for being a priest, and endured months of imprisonment and torture. Despite the brutal treatment, he remained steadfast in his faith, providing spiritual support to fellow prisoners. On January 11, 1940, he was executed at the Stutthof concentration camp near Sztutowo, Poland, becoming one of the many clergy who sacrificed their lives during the Nazi occupation.
In recognition of his martyrdom and unwavering commitment to his faith, Franciszek Rogaczewski was beatified by Pope John Paul II on June 13, 1999, as one of the 108 Martyrs of World War II. His feast day is commemorated on January 11.