Bl. Joseph Stanek

Blessed Joseph Stanek was a Polish Pallottine priest who ministered to his fellow countrymen during the Second World War. Living in Warsaw, he became a chaplain to the insurgents of the Warsaw Uprising in 1944. When the Polish began losing the fight to liberate their city, Father Stanek decided to try and save as many people in the city as possible. He even gave up a position on a pontoon leaving the city so that others could live, and he could stay to assist. After this, he attempted to contact the Nazis to negotiate a peace in Warsaw. On arriving at their headquarters, he was immediately captured, tortured, and was hung the very next day.