Saintly Young Catholic Missionary Helena Kmieć from Poland, who was Killed in Bolivia, is Now on the Path to Canonization!

On Sunday, April 14th, Archbishop Marek Jędraszewski, of Krakow, Poland, signed an edict that initiated the beatification process of Helena Kmieć. The official opening of the trial will take place on May 10th - Helena Kmieć will be named a “Servant of God”.
“Shortly after her death, the reputation of a holy life dedicated to the Church and God spread. Many people who hear about Helena's life feel inspired to volunteer.
The secular missionary was brutally murdered in a robbery at the age of 26 while on mission in Bolivia. The beatification process is not based on martyrdom, as one might assume, but on the heroic virtues of the missionary. Proof of a miracle is still required here. Witnesses will be interrogated and testimonies collected until June 30 to examine the sanctity of their lives.
Helena Agnieszka Kmieć was born on February 9, 1991 in Krakow (Poland). She grew up in a devout Catholic family in Libiąż and became involved in the church at an early age, initially in the choir and in the Light Life Youth, later with Caritas, with the organization of World Youth Day 2016 in Krakow and in church youth groups. Helena was very talented, not just musically, and extremely mature. She skipped the 4th grade and received a scholarship to finish school in Great Britain. When she was asked during the interview what she would do if she had the opportunity to go on this training trip but was unable to practice her faith there, she replied that she would forego such a trip. While studying chemical engineering, she attended Holy Mass almost every day. In addition to her studies, she also trained as a stewardess and graduated from music school.
For her confirmation, Helena took Blessed Sancja Szymkowiak as her patroness, an Oblate who lived at the beginning of the 20th century and was described by the people around her as an angel of goodness.
While still studying, Helena contacted the Salvatorians because she wanted to serve as a missionary. In one of her application letters, Helena writes “I have received God's grace [...] and I must pass on this gift! All the skills I have, the skills I acquire, the talents I develop – are not meant to serve me, but so that I can use them to help others. The greatest gift is that I know God and I can't keep it to myself, I have to share it! If I can help someone, make someone smile, make someone happier, teach someone something - then I want to do it!" The missions took her to Hungary, Zambia, Romania and finally, in January 2017, to Cochabamba (Bolivia), where she lived in helping at an orphanage. The decision to serve in Bolivia came after she attended the Ignatian retreat.
In the first few days of their stay, the holidays in Bolivia were still ongoing, so their work consisted of preparing the facility, which would soon accommodate numerous children. However, on the night of January 24th, Helena was murdered with fourteen stab wounds by Romualdo Mamio Dos Santos at around 1:25 a.m. local time. According to his own statement, the murderer acted under the influence of drugs. He was sentenced to 30 years in prison.
The burial ceremonies had a state character. Her body was buried in the parish cemetery in Libiąż, her hometown. She was posthumously awarded the Gold Cross of Merit by President Andrzej Duda for her charitable and social activities and her commitment to people in need. Shortly after her death, the reputation of a holy life dedicated to the church and God spread.
Many people who hear about Helena's life feel inspired to volunteer. One testimony says, “Her blood found in the Scriptures that she read every day makes me wonder what kind of battle I undertake to bring the Word of God into my life. Helena took the risk and ultimately gave her life to accept love and give her beautiful smile to children who had never experienced love." (see: https://helenakmiec.pl/sermons/piekno-zycia-i -smierci-helenki-pociaga-wielu/).
According to her stepmother (her biological mother died a few weeks after her birth and her father remarried), Helena was a person who always looked on the bright side. She was an active, gentle and brave person. When she left the house, she often left a short note, “Stay with God!” Helena Kmieć was always very active. Her family and friends say she was a quiet but very committed person and was always happy to help wherever there was a need.
Preparations for the beatification process began in December 2022 and Fr. Paweł Wróbel SDS has been appointed postulator. The necessary documents have been prepared and the Vatican has expressed its “nihil obstat” (declaration of no objection), so that last Sunday the Archbishop of Krakow, Marek Jędraszewski, signed the edict with which the beatification process was initiated. The trial will formally open on May 10, with a tribunal/arbitration panel sworn in to examine witnesses and collect evidence to examine the sanctity of Helena's life.

Source: https://helenakmiec.pl/