Poland: Cardinal Marcello Semeraro, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints, presided over the Beatification Mass of Blessed Stanisław Streich in Poznań, marking one of the earliest beatifications under Pope Leo XIV’s pontificate. The solemn ceremony, held outside the Cathedral of Poznan, celebrated the life and martyrdom of Father Streich—a devoted priest, courageous martyr, apostle of brotherhood, and devoted servant to his homeland.
Reflecting on the significance of the beatification, Cardinal Semeraro affirmed, “Now that Stanisław Streich has been raised to the altars, this Church gains a steadfast friend in heaven, to whom it can entrust its deepest concerns, anxieties, hopes, and petitions.” He called on the faithful to unite in prayer, asking Blessed Streich to intercede before God on behalf of peace, both in the world and especially at the doorstep of Europe.
In his homily, the Cardinal drew a vivid parallel between Blessed Streich and Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd, highlighting how the late priest’s ministry was modeled on this divine example. “Father Streich loved life deeply and lived it with a humble dignity, dedicating himself joyfully to the communities under his care. His spirit of service found its ultimate expression in the sacrifice of his life,” he explained.
Cardinal Semeraro emphasized that Fr. Streich’s martyrdom serves as a timeless call to deepen human bonds and to welcome others with compassion, even when mercy demands great personal sacrifice. “Whenever we open our hearts to one another, leaving behind suspicion and fear, and are ready to bear the cost for others’ good, we embody the ‘good shepherd’ spirit—just as Christ was the Good Shepherd, and our newly beatified friend faithfully mirrored Him,” he added.
Archbishop Zbigniew Zieliński, Metropolitan of Poznań, opened the Mass by invoking the authority of Pope Leo to officially inscribe Father Stanisław Streich among the blessed. He expressed his hope that Blessed Streich’s example would inspire the faithful as a guiding light in their spiritual journey and encourage priests toward wholehearted ministry. The Archbishop described the martyr as “a vital ferment for strengthening the Church community” and called on the new Blessed to motivate those discerning vocations to respond courageously to God’s call.
Blessed Stanisław Streich’s life came to a tragic end on February 27, 1938, when he was fatally shot during Sunday Mass by Wawrzyniec Nowak, a militant communist militant who shouted slogans denouncing the Church. Nowak’s act was driven by hostility toward the Church, viewed as an obstacle to the communist revolution sweeping Poland at the time.
Testimonies portray Fr. Streich as a humble, compassionate shepherd who quietly served the marginalized and those farthest from God. He was a pillar of his parish in Luboń, near Poznań—founding religious groups, aiding the poor and unemployed, organizing catechism for children, and supporting families in distress.
The early investigations and eyewitness accounts of his death confirmed the Church’s conviction that Father Streich had given his life as a martyr for the faith—a witness to Christ in the face of violent opposition.
As Poland and Europe continue to grapple with modern uncertainties, the beatification of Blessed Stanisław Streich invites believers to entrust their prayers for peace and unity to this courageous servant of God.