Gertruda Detzel: The Hidden Flame of Faith The hidden story of Servant of God Gertruda Detzel \u2014 a laywoman who kept the flame of faith alive through decades of Soviet persecution \u2014 has now reached Rome. Bishop Evgeny Zinkovskiy, Auxiliary Bishop of Karaganda, presented her cause to Pope Leo XIV, one day after a meeting at the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints. A small delegation from Kazakhstan arrived with two sealed boxes \u2014 fifteen kilograms of documents, testimonies, and accounts of reported miracles. This moment marks the beginning of the Roman phase of her beatification process \u2014 and the first time a laywoman from Central Asia has reached this stage. Bishop Evgeny Zinkovskiy shares, \u201cIt was very moving to see that even our distant case from Kazakhstan \u2014 that of our Servant of God Gertruda \u2014 was received so warmly, with open arms. Born in 1903 in the Caucasus into a family of ethnic Germans, Gertruda Detzel was deported to Kazakhstan in 1941 under Stalin\u2019s rule. She spent 8 years in the Soviet labor camps \u2014 imprisoned first for her ethnicity and later spent 5 years for something even more dangerous to the regime: her unwavering faith and missionary zeal. Bishop Joseph Werth, an eyewitness to the life of Gertruda Detzel, highlights, \u201cWhen Gertruda was a child, during a conversation with her parish priest, she once said: \u2018I wish I could be a priest. Why did God let me be born a girl and not a boy?\u2019 The priest comforted her and said, \u2018Gertruda, be patient. God will show you one day why He made you a girl and not a boy.\u2019 \u201cAnd indeed, soon after, the Church began to be persecuted \u2014 priests were arrested one after another \u2014 and before long, there were no priests left free, many were gone. Then Gertruda understood what God had planned for her. She began gathering people for prayer services.\u201d After her release from prison in southern Kazakhstan in 1954, Gertruda Detzel chose to settle in Karaganda \u2014 the beating heart of the underground Church. As a laywoman, she could quietly enter homes and help keep families steadfast in faith when priests were unable to do so. Sister Maria Alma, who has spent over 30 years as a missionary in Kazakhstan, says Gertruda\u2019s life is a reminder that the fruits of one\u2019s service are not always seen \u2014 what truly matters, she says, is to do good for God and for people: \u201cWhat influences me the most is that whenever she chose to go somewhere or to do something, her reason was always the same \u2014 she wanted to do something good for God and for people.\u201d Her home became a refuge \u2014 a place where families drew strength, children learned the catechism by heart, and where the Eucharist, entrusted to her by priests in secret, reached those who could not attend Mass. Earlier this year, the diocesan investigation concluded in Karaganda. Researchers even uncovered her original Soviet case file, confirming the 5 years she spent imprisoned for her faith. On December 22, 1989, the Supreme Court of Kazakhstan officially rehabilitated her, clearing her of all charges and restoring her good name. \u201cGod, who knows everything, saw the courage of her faith and love,\u201d Bishop Evgeny Zinkovskiy notes, \u201cand He still sees it now. And may it be that, in her example, the faith of so many other unknown believers will also find its confirmation in God\u2019s love.\u201d Adapted by Jacob Stein. Produced by Alexey Gotovskiy; Camera by Alberto Basile; Special thanks & Credits to Diocese of Karaganda, Dicastery for the Causes of Saints. 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 Alexey Gotovskiy 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 New \u2018grammar of synodality\u2019 on display at start of synod gathering St. Charles Borromeo: Patron saint of stomach ailments, dieting \u2014 and obesity? Pope Francis celebrates Ash Wednesday Mass in historical Basilica of St. Sabina Missionaries Of Mercy Gather In Rome As Pope Francis Praises Their \u2018Ministry Of Forgiveness\u2019 French archbishop rescinds appointment of priest convicted of rape, asks for forgiveness Funeral of Cardinal George Pell to be at Vatican on Saturday<\/p>\n