Antoni Julian Nowowiejski
Blessed Antoni Julian Nowowiejski | |
---|---|
A tablet to beatified bishop Nowowiejski in Cathedral of Płock. | |
Bishop of Płock | |
Born |
Lubienia, Poland | 11 February 1858
Died |
28 May 1941 83) Działdowo, Poland | (aged
Venerated in | Roman Catholic Church |
Beatified | 13 June 1999 by Pope John Paul II |
Feast | May 28 |
Antoni Julian Nowowiejski (11 February 1858 – 28 May 1941) was a Polish bishop of Płock (1908–1941), titular archbishop of Silyum, first secretary of Polish Episcopal Conference (1918–1919), honorary citizen of Płock and historian. He died at the hands of the Germans in Soldau concentration camp near Działdowo on 28 May 1941, and was subsequently beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1999 as one of the 108 Martyrs of World War II.
Biography
Antoni Julian Nowowiejski was born on 11 February 1858[1] in Lubienia near Opatów. At sixteen he entered the diocesan seminary at studied Płock. He received Holy Orders on July 10, 1881.[2] The following year he obtained a degree in theology from the Academy of Saint Petersburg. Nowowiejski became a professor and a rector of the Płock Seminary, canon of Płock and in 1902 vicar general of the Płock diocese. He was ordained bishop of Płock on 6 December 1908.
As the leader of the Płock diocese he carried out an administrative reform, devoting much attention to catholic education (among other things, he created a lower seminary). During the First World War, he was active in charity organizations. He oversaw two diocesians (synods) in 1927 and 1938, and initiated a local chapter of "Akcja Katolicka" (Catholic Action). In November 1930, he became the titular archbishop of Silyum.[3]
On 1 September 1939, the German invasion of Poland marked the beginning of the Second World War. One of the Nazis' goals was the elimination of Polish intelligentsia. on 28 February 1940, Bishop Nowowiejski and Płock's suffragan bishop Leon Wetmański were arrested by the Germans and imprisoned in Słuck and Działdowo.[1] He refused the chance to escape, saying, "How can a pastor abandon their sheep?"[3] Archbishop Nowowiejski was tortured when he refused to trample on his pectoral cross.[4] He secretly although suffering, imparted his blessing to the tortured and dying. After three months of torture and hunger, he died, at the age of eighty-three, at the Dzialdowo death camp on 28 May 1941.[3]
He was beatified by Pope John Paul II on 13 June 1999 as one of the 108 Martyrs of World War II.
Works
Antoni Julian Nowowiejski was the author of many works in the realm of history (especially the history of Płock) and Catholic liturgy. His Cereminiał parafialny (Parish ceremony) became a standard textbook for parish priests, and went through seven editions before the war. The University of Warsaw awarded him an honorary title of doctor honoris causa.
Selected works:
- Wykład liturgii Kościoła katolickiego
- Ceremoniał parafialny
Catholic Church titles | ||
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Preceded by Apolinary Wnukowski |
Bishop of Płock 1908-1941 |
Succeeded by Stanisław Figielski |
References
- 1 2 "Blessed Antoni Julian Nowowiejski". Catholic News Agency. 28 May 2012. Retrieved 31 December 2012.
- ↑ Cheney, David M., "Archbishop Bl. Antonio Julian Nowowiejski", Catholic-hierarchy.org
- 1 2 3 Borreilli, Antonio. "Blessed Antoni Julian Nowowiejski and companions", Santi Beati, 18 March 2003
- ↑ "Biographies of new Blesseds". EWTN. Retrieved 2016-10-10.
- (Polish) BŁ. ABP ANTONI JULIAN NOWOWIEJSKI, retrieved on 25 September 2007
Further reading
- Piotr Nitecki, Biskupi Kościoła w Polsce w latach 965 - 1999, ISBN 83-211-1311-7, Warszawa 2000
External links
- "Antoni Julian Nowowiejski". Catholic-Hierarchy.org. David M. Cheney. Retrieved 19 December 2014.
- Antoni Julian Nowowiejski at catholic-forum.com