The Church in Poland is seeking the beatification of a young lay missionary who was murdered in a bungled robbery shortly after starting work with Catholic nuns at a children’s home in Bolivia in 2017. Source: OSV News.
Helena Kmiec (1991-2017), was stabbed to death at age 25 by an overnight intruder at Cochabamba in central Bolivia.
Fr Pawel Wróbel, postulator in the missionary’s sainthood cause, said in her five years as a volunteer, Ms Kmiec “discovered her calling to spread the Gospel – and it gave her a sense of happiness and fulfilment, of being in God’s hands
“Her life and example can show young people it’s possible to find your place in the church, despite what’s said today, sharing your God-given talents and convictions. It isn’t necessary to withdraw from the world.”
Fr Wróbel said the beatification process, launched by the Polish bishops’ conference with Vatican approval, had been “met with joy” by Ms Kmiec’s many friends and supporters, who were already submitting testimonies and recollections.
“The process will concern her heroic virtues — after analysing evidence from her last moments of life, we concluded this wasn’t an act of martyrdom,” said Fr Wróbel, a mission director with the Society of the Divine Saviour, popularly known as Salvatorians.
“But this is also a sign from God that we must concentrate on her life rather than her death, not least since a miracle will be needed to confirm her sanctity.”
Marta Omieczynska, the director of a foundation set up to continue Ms Kmiec’s work, said prayers for her beatification were helping those eager to preserve her memory.
“She was a truly exceptional person, who can inspire others to lead beautiful lives,” Ms Omieczynska said.
“But she was also a normal contemporary girl, very present and close to people, with her own troubles and anxieties, not some distant saint, forever on her knees.”
FULL STORY
Could this Polish girl murdered on mission be a saint? (By Jonathan Luxmoore, OSV News)
