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Saint Jan Sarkander
Image: Jan Sarkander, uploaded by user James562 on pl.wikipedia · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

Saint Jan Sarkander

Moravian priest tortured in 1620 for refusing to break the seal of confession

Rank
Saint
Kind
Priest, Martyr
Life
1576 – 1620
Era
17th century
Feast
17 March
Countries
Czechia
Czechia

Life story

Jan Sarkander was born on 20 December 1576 in Skoczów, in Silesia. He took a master's degree in philosophy at Prague in 1603, then studied theology and was ordained a priest in 1609. He served in several places in the diocese of Olomouc, including Boskovice, and from 1616 he was parish priest of Holešov.

In 1618 Protestants took control of Moravia. He left Holešov for a pilgrimage and retreat, spent several months in Kraków, and returned in 1619. In February 1620 Polish auxiliary troops fighting for the Catholic side plundered Protestant lands but spared Holešov after he met them carrying the Blessed Sacrament.

A neighbouring Protestant landlord, Bítovský, accused him of conspiring with Lobkowitz to bring the troops into the country. He was arrested and taken to Olomouc. The tribunal, made up entirely of Protestants, wanted to know who had summoned the troops, what he had done in Poland, and what Lobkowitz had confided to him as his confessor. He refused to answer, and according to the Catholic Encyclopedia he was tortured on the rack on 13, 17 and 18 February.

He died in prison about a month later, on 17 March 1620. Veneration began at once. Pius IX beatified him on 6 May 1860, and John Paul II canonised him on 21 May 1995 at Olomouc. His relics rest in the cathedral of Olomouc, and his feast is 17 March.

Works and witness

  • Master's degree in philosophy at Prague in 1603, ordained in 1609
  • Parish priest of Holešov from 1616
  • Met the Polish troops with the Blessed Sacrament in February 1620, sparing Holešov
  • Tortured in Olomouc for refusing to reveal what he heard in confession
  • Beatified in 1860 (Pius IX) and canonised in 1995 (John Paul II)

Saints from the same country

Saint Wenceslaus, Saint John Neumann, Saint Adalbert of Prague, Saint John of Nepomuk

References

  • Catholic Encyclopedia (1910), Bl. John Sarkander (New Advent, newadvent.org/cathen/08484a.htm)
  • Wikipedia, Jan Sarkander (ordination and Polish troops dates)

Written by Anawim from documented history. Some details about ancient saints rest on tradition and are marked as such.