Jerzy Popiełuszko, chaplain of the Solidarity movement, was a resident and vicar in this parish, and in this church he celebrated Masses for Poland (1982–1984), during which he preached the message "Don't let evil conquer you, but conquer evil with good".[2] He was assassinated by the Security Service on 19 October 1984.[1]
The Popiełuszko's memorial grave is located in the grounds of St. Stanislaus Kostka Church at 2 Stanisław Hozjusz Street in the Żoliborz district of Warsaw. The tomb is located under a large tree, near the eastern corner of the fenced-in area of the church.[1]
The tomb has the shape of a burial mound with a cross-shaped granite slab on top. In the immediate vicinity of the grave, on one of the trees, there is a crucifix whose creator is Gustaw Zemła.[3] The grave is surrounded by a rosary of cobblestones arranged in the shape of Polish borders. The link is in the form of a crowned eagle with Our Lady of Częstochowa on its breast.
The funeral of Father Jerzy Popiełuszko took place on 3 November 1984. The memorial grave was built in 1986 on the site of a wooden cross. The cross was already surrounded by a rosary of fieldstones arranged in the shape of Poland's borders.
Since 1984 the shrine and the tomb of the priest became a place of pilgrimage. On 14 June 1987, Pope John Paul II visited the church.[4]
On 19 October 2004, on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of Father Jerzy Popiełuszko's death, a solemn mass was held in St. Stanislaw Kostka, attended by more than 20,000 faithful. At the same time, a museum dedicated to Jerzy Popiełuszko was opened in the basement of the church.[5]
In April 2010, Fr. Popiełuszko's relics were exhumed and canonically discerned (this was a requirement of canon law). The grave was then renovated, and the body of the martyr was placed in the same place in a new coffin.[6]
It is estimated that till 2009 the site was visited by about 18 million people.[7] Among those who prayed at the tomb were:[1]
Beatyfikacja ks. Jerzego Popiełuszki [Beatification of Father Jerzy Popiełuszko] (in Polish). Katolicka Agencja Informacyjna. 2010. p. 87. ISBN 83-901958-1-X.
