Blessed Karolina Kózka (1898-1914)

Blessed Karolina Kózka was a pious Polish Catholic girl who was mortally wounded by a Russian soldier attempting to sexually assault her. She was beatified by Pope John Paul II, who described her as a martyr for chastity.

Karolina was one of 11 children born to peasant farmers. Known for her piety, she liked to catechize her fellow children and read them Bible stories while sitting under a pear tree near her home. She had a devotion to Mary and frequently fell asleep praying the Rosary. During Lent, she led her family singing songs about Christ’s Passion; during Christmas, she led them in carols.

When she was 16, World War I broke out in Europe, and Russian troops invaded Poland. A Russian soldier found Karolina alone and attempted to sexually assault her. She successfully resisted, but in anger he drew his bayonet and stabbed her multiple times. She fled to a nearby swamp but collapsed and died from blood loss. Her remains were found more than two weeks later. The incident stirred up much hostility between the Poles and the Russian invaders. When she was buried, 3,000 mourners attended her funeral. She is often called the “Maria Goretti of Poland.”