Honoring Blessed Jerzy Popie\u0142uszko: The Priest Who Defied Communism VATICAN CITY \/ WARSAW \u2014 In 1984, Polish priest Fr. Jerzy Popie\u0142uszko was brutally assassinated by agents of the Communist Security Service. He was kidnapped, beaten to death, and his body was thrown into a water reservoir. A fearless defender of faith and freedom, Fr. Popie\u0142uszko became a symbol of resistance against the communist regime in Poland \u2014 remembered for his sermons on truth, human dignity, and freedom during the darkest years of oppression. In 2010, under Pope Benedict XVI, Fr. Popie\u0142uszko was beatified, recognized by the Church as a martyr for faith and justice. His legacy continues to inspire generations of Poles and Catholics around the world. Fr. Popie\u0142uszko\u2019s brother, J\u00f3zef Popie\u0142uszko, vividly recalls the moment he learned of his brother\u2019s disappearance. \u201cWell, at that time I was in Germany, at the house of my sister\u2019s neighbor, doing some work to get by. I went there to work, and while I was there, the wife called to ask if I knew anything about Father Jerzy \u2014 I didn\u2019t know anything, because I was still working in the forest service. She called me again, saying, \u2018Come back.\u2019\u201cYou know, I took the car and drove off. I reached Warsaw. I\u2019d been to Warsaw so many times. And I knew exactly where I was coming from. So many flowers, so many candles..\u201d The tragic news of Fr. Popie\u0142uszko\u2019s murder spread across Poland, uniting thousands in mourning and strengthening the call for spiritual and political freedom. During the trial of Fr. Jerzy\u2019s assassins, J\u00f3zef and his family faced direct threats \u2014 forcing them to make a difficult choice for the safety of their children. Marek Popie\u0142uszko, Fr. Jerzy\u2019s nephew, recalls the fear that haunted those years: \u201cAnd after the trial, which my father attended every single day, he heard from Piotrowski \u2014 maybe not these exact words, but something to this effect \u2014 a message saying that there will be no more Piotrowskis, but there will also be no more Popie\u0142uszkos. My father took that as a threat, and together with my mother, they decided that they had to protect us, their children.\u201d Even in exile, the family carried Fr. Jerzy\u2019s message of faith, forgiveness, and courage \u2014 a message that continues to shape the Church in Poland and beyond. A decade ago, J\u00f3zef and Marek Popie\u0142uszko established the Blessed Jerzy Popie\u0142uszko Foundation, dedicated to preserving his memory and spreading his values among young people. Among them is 19-year-old Eliza Pardyka, leader of the Foundation\u2019s Youth Council. She represents the new generation inspired by the martyred priest\u2019s example. \u201cYou know, what really inspires me about Father Jerzy is his authenticity and his courage. Why his authenticity? Because he was always the same \u2014 he was simply himself, no matter what situation he found himself in, he was always true to himself.\u201d Through educational programs, youth initiatives, and cultural projects, the Foundation promotes Fr. Popie\u0142uszko\u2019s message of faith lived through service, truth, and moral courage. The Foundation is currently building a museum in Okopy, the small Polish village where Fr. Popie\u0142uszko was born. The site will commemorate his life, his suffering, and his enduring impact on Poland\u2019s spiritual history. Recently, members of the Foundation traveled to Rome to meet Pope Leo XIV during a Wednesday audience. There, they asked the Holy Father to bless a coal stone \u2014 a symbolic gift from Poland\u2019s miners, to be placed at the museum\u2019s entrance. Marek Popie\u0142uszko described the emotional encounter: \u201cIt was an amazing experience \u2014 I\u2019m still deeply impressed. It was wonderful, and I hope that next time we\u2019ll be able to attend the canonization, maybe soon. Perhaps the Holy Father will take a closer look at the matter, just as I asked him, and we\u2019ll be able to come here again.\u201d Fr. Jerzy Popie\u0142uszko\u2019s story remains a cornerstone of Poland\u2019s 20th-century history \u2014 a testament to faith stronger than fear. His voice, silenced by violence, continues to echo in every act of conscience and truth. As the Popie\u0142uszko Foundation works toward the canonization of this modern martyr, his message endures: \u201cOvercome evil with good.\u201d Adapted by Jacob Stein. Produced by Alexey Gotovskiy; Camera by Alberto Basile; Special thanks & Credits to W. Kry\u0144ski (PAP), IPN Archives Receive the most important news from EWTN Vatican via WhatsApp. It has become increasingly difficult to see Catholic news on social media. Subscribe to our free channel today EWTN Vatican on WhatsApp Zofia Czubak Would you like to receive the latest updates on the Pope and the Vatican Receive articles and updates from our EWTN Newsletter. More news related to this article The Angelicum Hosts Conference on Catholic-Jewish Relations Since Vatican II Pope Francis’ Statements on Nicaragua Bishop Sentencing & Turkey Earthquake Victims Opus Dei celebrates a congress in Rome to adapt to Pope Francis’ reforms From papal secretary to nuncio? 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