Karolina Kózka
Karolina Kózka | |
|---|---|
Painting of Karolina Kózka, circa 2008. | |
| Virgin and martyr | |
| Born | 2 August 1898 Wał-Ruda, Małopolskie, Austria-Hungary |
| Died | 18 November 1914 (aged 16) Wał-Ruda, Małopolskie, Austria-Hungary |
| Venerated in | Roman Catholic Church |
| Beatified | 10 June 1987, Tarnów, Poland by Pope John Paul II |
| Major shrine | Shrine of Blessed Karolina Kózka, Tarnów, Poland |
| Feast | 18 November |
Karolina Kózka (2 August 1898 – 18 November 1914) was a sixteen-year old Polish victim of a sex attack and murder. Prior to that she was known locally for her strong faith and her eagerness to catechize her neighbours and children. Kózka is often referred to as the "Polish Maria Goretti" due to the manner of her death.
Kózka's death caused great public outrage against Russians since a Russian soldier was believed to have attacked and killed her. Three thousand people flocked to her funeral and called for her canonization cause to be introduced as she died defending her virginity. The cause formally commenced in the 1950s and culminated in 1987 with Pope John Paul II beatifying her in independent Poland.