Polish Warsaw Uprising chaplains honored on 81st anniversary

Around 150 Catholic clergy served as chaplains for the Home Army units and field hospitals during the 63‑day Warsaw Uprising in 1944. They celebrated Mass, organized prayers, provided confession, comforted the wounded and buried the dead, and many fought alongside the insurgents. Approximately 50 chaplains were killed, some in combat and others executed by German forces.

The most well‑known chaplains included Fr. Zygmunt Trószyński ("Alkazar"), Fr. Józef Warszawski SJ ("Father Paweł"), Maj. Fr. Władysław Zbłowski SAC ("Struś"), and Fr. Tomasz Rostworowski SJ ("Father Tomasz"). The chaplaincy was coordinated by Fr. Tadeusz Jachimowski, a colonel‑priest known as "Budwicz", who was captured and shot on 7 August 1944. The anniversary on 1 August marks 81 years since the uprising began, highlighting the chaplains’ bravery and their integral role in the resistance.