Blessed Karolina Kozkowna

Karolina Kozkowna was born in Wal-Ruda, Poland on August 2, 1898. Her parents, Jan and Maria Borzechka were farmers. Karolina was the fourth of their eleven children. She was devout, attractive, and lively. In her teens, she enjoyed being a catechist to the area children. At the age of sixteen she resisted the advances of a Russian soldier, who then dragged her into the forest and killed her after trying to rape her. She died on November 18, 1914. Her frantic family and neighbors combed the area for her, but did not find her body until December 4. She is honored as a martyr of purity and frequently called the Maria Goretti of Poland. She was buried at Zabawa, Poland and people immediately began considering her a saint. She was beatified by Pope John Paul II on June 10, 1987. She is sometimes called Caroline Kozka. Her feast is November 18.