Polish Ulma Family to Be Beatified in Historic First
The heroic Ulma family from southeast Poland is set to make history. A Polish couple and their seven children, who were brutally killed by Nazis for hiding Jews during WWII, will be beatified together—the first entire family ever honoured with this Catholic milestone.
Massive Ceremony in Markowa
The solemn event will take place in the Ulmas’ hometown of Markowa. Organisers expect over 30,000 attendees, including 80 bishops, 1,000 priests, Poland’s chief rabbi, and a delegation from Israel. It’s a powerful tribute to bravery and sacrifice.
The Tragic Story of the Ulma Family
On March 24, 1944, German police executed Jozef Ulma, his pregnant wife Wiktoria, and their six children aged between two and eight. Alongside them, eight Jews they sheltered in their attic were also murdered. The family’s home was looted and set on fire after police fired into the attic, leaving behind a haunting relic—a photo stained with the victims’ blood.
Legacy of Courage and Faith
The Ulmas risked everything to protect Jewish refugees, sharing their home and lives over more than a year. Their selfless compassion ended in tragedy when a Polish policeman betrayed them. Following the massacre, 24 Jews in nearby Markowa were also killed by locals.
This beatification marks a historic first: not only the whole family but also their newborn seventh child, who died as an infant during the mother’s martyrdom, will be honoured. Thanks to the “baptism of blood” tradition, the baby is exempt from the usual miracle requirement for sainthood.
Honoured by Israel, Remembered in Poland
Jozef and Wiktoria were named “Righteous among the Nations” by Israel in 1995 for their brave efforts to save Jews. Their legacy lives on in a dedicated museum in Markowa. In 2018, Poland declared March 24 a day of remembrance for Poles who rescued Jews during Nazi occupation.
