Katarzyna (Catherine) Szymon – A stigmatic from Poland

 

 CHILDHOOD

Catherine Szymon called by many people ”Katarzynka”, was born on October 21, 1907 in Studzienice near Pszczyna.

When she was less than two years of age her mother died having left six orphaned children

Her father, a forest employee, soon remarried. Katarzynka’s stepmother was nothing but unkind towards her, taking no heed of Catherine’s young age, her stepmother exploited her to do all the housework in the home. Despite her difficult childhood, Catherine learned to pray and since then she would spend her every spare moment praying particularly, for the reformation of her father, who frequently came home drunk and beat his children. Her prayers were heard – her father mended his ways and prior to his death he even joined the Third Order of Saint Francis

Małgorzata Piksa from Studzienice says: "I have known Cathy since her early childhood. I remember her as a modest person always with her rosary, always smiling, always cheerful,  she would address a person telling them: do not quarrel, live in peace and harmony, keep smiling. That is how I know and remember her: modest, free of sin, smiling at everyone, the elderly, the young or children. She was always open to people.