Blessed Stefan Wincenty Frelichowski | |
---|---|
Born | January 22, 1913 Chełmża, Poland |
Died | February 23, 1945 Dachau concentration camp, Germany |
(aged 32)
Honored in | Roman Catholic Church |
Beatified | June 7, 1999, Toruń, Poland by Pope John Paul II |
Feast | February 22 |
Patronage | Polish scouts |
Blessed Stefan Wincenty Frelichowski (b. January 22, 1913 in Chełmża - February 23, 1945 in Dachau) was a Polish priest, scout and is patron of Polish Scouts.[1][2][3] He joined Scouting on March 21, 1927.[1][2][4] Stefan served as Patrol leader, later as Troop Leader and during his years in the High Seminary of Pelplin Diocese he was an active member of its Scout Club.[4][5]:18-20 Further more he was an active member of the Marian Congregation in Chełmża[5]:19-20 and since he was nine years old Stefan had been an altar boy.[5]:14 During his years in the seminary of Pelpin he was active in the Temperance movement.[5]:23 On March 14, 1937 he was ordained a priest in Pelpin.[1][2][5]:23 In the following years he served as a priest in Pelpin and Toruń.[5]:23-25 While working as a priest he continued his studies on the university of Lwów.[5]:25 In Toruń he was responsible for the parish press.[4][5]:25 In 1938 he became leader of the Old Scouts and chaplain of the scout district Pomerania.[1][2] Arrested by the Gestapo on October 18, 1939 he was imprisoned in the German concentration camps Stutthof, Grenzdorf, Sachsenhausen and Dachau where he died.[1][2][4][5]:26-32 On June 7, 1999 Stefan Wincenty Frelichowski was beatified by Pope John Paul II.[1][2][4]