Edward Klinik

Marytr (1919-1942) [August 27th]

The son of a mechanic, Edward Klinik attended a Salesian school in the Polish town that was later to witness so much of the horrors of World War II, Auschwitz. He subsequently went to Poznan, where he attended a speical form of Sunday School instituted by Saint John Bosco, the Salesian Oratory. Edward’s sister, a nun, recalled that her brother advanced in the spriitual life at this time. Serving regularly as an altar boy, he developed a deep devotion to the Blessed Sacrament and to the Blessed Virgin Mary. In 1939 the Nazis invaded Poland, and began a persecution of the country’s Catholics. Edward was employed at a construction company when in September of 1940 the Nazis arrested him for his active participation in the Salesian Oratory. In August of 1942, Edward and four other members of the Salesian Oratory of Poznan were sentenced to death on the charge of being enemies of the Nazi regime. Shortly before his execution on August 24, 1942, Edward wrote a note to his parents in which he speaks of his gratitude to the Mother of God: "Up to the last moment Mary has been a Mother to me." 

--- James Monti