We invite you for Wednesday, 12 June at 18.00 to our House of History (21 Pijarska str., Nowy Sącz) for the first meeting in the new „Stories of Sącz Women” – lecture entitled „About the power of spirit. Incredible story of blessed sister Julia Rodzińska from Nawojowa” given by sister Justyna Dombek OP.

In our new series we want to present the characters of unusual women, that in different ways merited themselves in the history of Nowy Sączand the region. This year we plan to organize several more meetings and lectures in this series. We hope that you will be with us!

Sister Julia was born in a poor family in Nawojowa in 1899 as Stanislława, daughter of an organist, with four siblings. After her parents death the children were separated, Stanisława was taken in by the sisters of st. Dominic. In 1919 she finished the Holy Family Teacher Seminar in Kraków. She was sent to Mielżyn near Gniezno, where the sisters created an orphanage for World War I orphans. Sister Julia was very active in caring for children and organization of the house. In 1922 she passed a qualifing exam in Nowy Sącz and was able to teach in general schools.
Then she went to Vilnus. Here she was active as a teacher, cared for children very much. Her pedagogical and organizing talent got her nominated for the head of state school (1926-1931). She became the headmistress of the Vilnus house and director of the Orphan Institution. Sho organized colonies anmd half-colonies. The society of Vilnus called her “The Mother of Orphans”.
In 1943 she was arrested by the Gestapo and imprisoned. In 1944 she ended up in the Stutthof death camp near Gdańsk. In inhumane conditions she kept her kindness, care for others and the gift of prayer. The survivors recalled that she was a unique person, full of love for her neighbours and ready to selflessly sacrifice. Julia died in the camp on 20 February 1945 (based on http://www.karpackamapaprzygody.pl/index.php/kmpTrail/poi/view/id/27898).

The lecture about Julia Rodzińska will be given by s. Justyna Dombek OP – postulator of the beatification and canonization processes of s. Julia Rodzińskiej. Theology, history and catechesis graduate of the John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin. Author of books, articles and lectures about the Blessed.

Youi can also visit the event’s page at Facebook.