Ulma Family (Blessed)
The Ulma family, amid the horrors of World War II, shone like a beacon of hope and compassion. Composed of father Josef, mother Wiktoria and their six children, they embodied the principles of the Gospel in their daily life, being a true “domestic Church”, open to those in need.
Living Faith in Simplicity
The Ulma family lived their faith in a simple way, cultivating devotion, family prayer and reading the Bible. They were known for their generosity and compassion, especially towards the Jews, who were most in need in those dark times.
Eight Lives Saved
The Ulma family risked their lives to help eight Jews, offering them shelter, food and friendship. They knew the risk they were taking by doing this, but they chose to follow Christ's teachings about loving others.
The Samaritans of Markowa
The Ulma family was truly a Samaritan family, as indicated in their Bible, where the word “Samaritan” was underlined. They embraced this vocation of helping others, even in the midst of the violence and hatred of war.
The massacre
Unfortunately, the Ulma family could not escape the tragedy that was ravaging Europe at the time. The Nazis broke into their home and, after discovering the Jews hiding in the attic, brutally executed Josef and Wiktoria in front of their children. Even the mother, seven months pregnant, was not spared. The Nazis killed all of the family's children and burned down their home on March 24, 1944.
A Judeo-Christian Martyrdom
The massacre of the Ulma family was a martyrdom that transcended religious boundaries. Father François-Marie Léthel, consultant to the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints, described it as a “Judeo-Christian martyrdom”. The family and eight dead Jews were innocent people, victims of Nazi brutality.
Righteous Among the Nations and Blessed
The Ulma family was recognized as “Righteous Among the Nations” by the State of Israel and as “Blessed” by the Catholic Church. The baby that was in Wiktoria's womb when she was killed was also considered a martyr, a rare case of “Baptism by blood”, similar to that of the Holy Innocents.
An Unprecedented Beatification
The beatification of the Ulma family was an unprecedented event. The petition presented to the Pope included the unborn child, who was already about to be born when his mother was executed. This unique case was seen as a testimony to martyrdom, a reminder of the love and courage of the Ulma family in dark times.
The Ulma family story reminds us of the importance of living our religious and moral principles, even in the most difficult circumstances. They chose the path of loving others, risking everything to help those in danger. His beatification is a reminder that compassion and solidarity can shine even in the darkest hours of history. May the Ulma family be an inspiring example for all of us, a beacon of hope and courage.
The Ulma family's festive day
Despite being martyred on March 24th, the Ulma family's festive day will be on July 7th, the date of the parents' wedding.
Initially this festival will only be celebrated in Poland. Local bishops would have to approve this feast to be included in their calendar, or the current pope could extend it to the universal Church after his future canonization.