Jerzy popieluszko biography

1947 - 1965

The small, poor village of Okopy in the Podlasie region is - according to church records on September 14, 1947 - the birthplace of a boy named Alfons (he changed the name in May, 1971), son of Marianna and Władysław Popiełuszko.

This and most of the other villages in Podlasie were patriotic and deeply involved in the anti-communist opposition.

The Popiełuszko family was extremely active in the struggle, therefore the memory of this early life must have had a tremendous influence on the future priest.

Alek (a diminutive form of his second name, Aleksander)  was raised in poverty, which was characteristic of the Polish countryside in the early years of introducing People's Power.

He started education in 1954 and from very early age discovered his priestly calling.

Jerzy popieluszko biography wikipedia

Every day, before going to school, he would visit the parish church in the nearby town of Suchowola. He became an altar boy at the age of 11. Although not the best in his class he enjoye