"In silence they expressed their humanity" - Markowa commemorated the 80th anniversary of the martyrdom of the Ulma family

In Markowa in Podkarpacie, the blessed Ulma family was commemorated, who were murdered by German gendarmes 80 years ago, along with the Jews they were hiding. “In silence, they expressed their humanity, how many of us would dare to risk our lives and those of our families today to save another human being,” said President Andrzej Duda, who was present at the ceremony.

The president thanked Pope Francis for the gift of beatification of the Ulma family last year. As he noted, thanks to the Pope’s decision, the whole world heard about the history of the Ulmas. “It was the Ulmas who helped their Jewish neighbors, the Goldman family and their relatives – for this help they were ruthlessly murdered. All together”. The president also commented on critical assessments of the heroic attitude of Poles saving Jews. “Let all those who today allow themselves to evaluate those times and who allow themselves to say any word against Poles in those times, in the face of the Holocaust, be aware and take into account their honesty the consideration of the aspect that those who helped risked their lives. How many of them would be able to take such a risk? He recalled that despite the crimes of March 24, 1944, 21 Jews survived the war in Markowa, hidden by other Polish families.

For several months, the Ulmas hid eight Jews from the Goldman, Grünfeld and Didner families in their house. President Duda noted that up to one million Poles were involved in various forms of helping Jewish fellow citizens. “We helped them to preserve and save human lives, to make love, freedom and mutual solidarity between people stronger than evil, than criminal ideologies, and also than fear and death,” he noted.

The brutal murder of the large Ulma family and the Jews they were hiding shocked the inhabitants of Markowa and many of the Ulma relatives. “It is always before our eyes,” said Roman Kluz, who was present at today’s ceremony. He is the cousin of Józef and Wiktoria’s children and the same age as their eldest daughter. “Stasia and I went to the first grade of primary school together. I always went there and they came – they were my aunt and uncle. Now everyone knows what happened here,” said 88-year-old Roman Kluz, moved.

DEON.PL RECOMMENDS

Cardinal Marcello Semeraro, prefect of the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints, who returned to Markowa today after presiding over the beatification of the Ulma family on September 10, 2023, in his homily recalled the still current, evangelical message of the life of the Samaritans from Markowa. He emphasized that the blessed Ulma Family showed the power of love, much greater than the power of death. “They show us that love lived to the measure of Christ crucified, the true Samaritan of humanity, is a revolution greater than any ideology. Let us entrust our families to the intercession of Blessed Józef, Wiktoria and their seven children to be a school of faith and a place to practice and grow in true love. Let us pray for peace and universal brotherhood among people and nations.

The morning ceremony of naming the Rzeszów-Jasionka airport after them was also a symbolic tribute to the blessed Ulma Family. For over two years, it has been the main hub of international humanitarian and military aid for Ukraine, repelling Russian aggression. It is also the site of many diplomatic meetings, as world leaders traveling to Ukraine usually arrive at the Rzeszów airport.