Blessed Lojze Grozde was born on May 27 1923 in Zgornje Vodale, Slovenia, Europe. He worked in Slovenia and died on January 1 1943 in Mirna, Slovenia. His feast day is celebrated on January 1 every year.
Blessed Lojze Grozde Biography | |
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Date of Birth | May 27 1923 |
Place of Birth | Zgornje Vodale, Slovenia, Europe |
Profession | Poet and Writer |
Place of Work | Slovenia |
Date of Death | January 1 1943 |
Place of Death | Mirna, Slovenia |
Feast Day | January 1 |
Beatification | By Pope Benedict XVI on June 13 2010 |
Blessed Lojze Grozde Life History
As Blessed Lojze Grozde was born out of wedlock, his mother had him baptized on the day of his birth but his biological father and step-father all refused to raise the boy and from age four he was grew up by his maternal grandparents and an aunt.
They were all poor peasants but pious and patriotic people who instilled those traits in Lojze. He was an excellent student, graduated with honours and with the help of an unknown benefactor, attended an Episcopal boarding school.
Blessed Lojze Grozde joined the Congregation of Mary at age 13 and Catholic Action at age 15, immediately becaming an active and enthusiatic member. Lojze considered the priesthood but felt he could accomplish more as a layman, counseling other young people and working through Catholic Action.
He wrote poetry from an early age also imprisoned, tortured and murdered by Communist partisans under Tito, the partisans were as ferocious in their persecution of Catholics as they were in their opposition to invading Nazis.
He stayed at the Marijanišče boarding school and attended the Classical Secondary School (Klasična gimnazija) in Ljubljana. There he was a good student, and he also found time to write poetry and prose. He was a member of the Catholic Action religious movement and a member of the Marian Congregation.
The end of his high school years coincided with the early years of World War II. Under these strained circumstances, Grozde became increasingly religious and oriented himself toward the study of theology.
Blessed Lojze Grozde Birth
Blessed Lojze Grozde was born on May 27 1923 in Trzisce, in a village known as Zgornje Vodale, Slovenia.
Family Background
Grozde was an illegitimate child. When he was four years old, his mother married France Kovač. His stepfather chased Grozde away whenever he wanted to see his mother.
Later, because Grozde was a good pupil, the stepfather became friendlier towards him, and so he remained at the house and his aunt took care of him. She saw to his schooling and sent him to a school in Ljubljana, where she was working as a servant. Some benefactors helped her support her nephew.
Profession
Blessed Lojze Grozde joined the Congregation of Mary at age 13, and Catholic Action at age 15; he immediately became an active and enthusiatic member. Lojze considered the priesthood, but felt he could accomplish more as a layman, counseling other young people and working through Catholic Action.
He wrote poetry from an early age. Imprisoned, tortured and murdered by Communist partisans under Tito; the partisans were as ferocious in their persecution of Catholics as they were in their opposition to invading Nazis. Martyr.
Blessed Lojze Grozde Death
Blessed Lojze Grozde died on January 1 1943 (aged 19) in Mirna, Slovenia. He was taken to a nearby inn and interrogated, tortured, and killed in a forest near Mirna.
Blessed Lojze Grozde Feast Day
His feast day is celebrated on January 1 every year.
Beatification
On March 27 2010, Blessed Lojze Grozde’s martyrdom was affirmed and was beatified on June 13 2010 in Celje Slovenia by Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone.
Relics
The first known movement of his relics (translation), was to a sanctuary in Zaplaz in the year 2011. Part of his relics are on the altar of St. Joseph’s Church in Celje and also situated at the Chapel of Good Shepherd at Alojzij Sustar Elementary School in Ljubljana.
Patron Saint of
Blessed Lojze Grozde was a patron saint of pupils, Catholic Action, poets, students, Slovenia.
Saint’s Legacy
In his introduction to the biography of Lojze Grozde by Anton Strle, who is also a candidate for sainthood, Taras Kermauner wrote: “Grozde combines the ardour and apostolate of Friderik Baraga, the asceticism and suffering of Janez Frančišek Gnidovec, a gift for organization, and the Slovenian national consciousness of Blessed Anton Martin Slomšek .
He symbolizes the entire martyrdom suffered by Christians and Catholic Slovenians during World War II and afterwards for their affiliation to their faith .
Blessed Lojze Grozde personality should be returned to the common Slovenian consciousness of heroes that have been praised and elevated to the first plane as the only models. Today a man like Grozde is needed as our model a martyr, a saint.
Not a man of aggressive military action thinking he will put forward God with arms and the blood of other or foreign people … I do not fear to write that Grozde belongs among the greatest young Slovenians; that his attitude is fitting and most precious.”
Saint’s Attributes
Blessed Lojze Grozde is being attributed with a book, palm, snowdrop.
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