Priests, martyrs (September 17, 2003)
Martyr for Christ at Auschwitz
Jan Swierc was born to Matthew and Francesca Rother in Królewska Huta, in Upper Silesia, on the April 29, 1877. Thanks to the well-known Salesian Institute at Valsalice he came to Italy for his secondary studies.
He asked to become a Salesian and began his novitiate at Ivrea. In Turin he took up his philosophical and theological studies. On June 6, 1903 he was ordained a priest in Turin by Cardinal Richelmy.
Back in Poland, he began his Salesian teaching activity with much diligence and care, proving his excellent ability and virtue as a Religious. He was the first Rector at Oswiecim, and then in other Salesian Houses in Poland.
He was a provincial councillor from the first moment the Council was set up, until his death. Fr. Jan was an exemplary Salesian and Religious, loved the Congregation and Don Bosco, and showed that he possessed its spirit completely. He was especially known for his prudence. The most difficult and delicate matters were entrusted to him.
On May 23, 1941, while Rector and Parish priest in Krakow-Debniki, he was arrested with other Confreres by the Gestapo and taken to the prisons in Krakow.
He was then taken to the concentration camp at Auschwitz. On June 27, 1941, Fr. Jan was cruelly tortured and killed by a German soldier because he was a priest, and because he would not cease calling on the name of Jesus. He was 64 years old, 42 years professed and 38 years as a priest. We can add that he left a reputation for holiness of life, quite apart from his martyrdom.
