When Communist officials kidnapped and killed Father Jerzy Popiełuszko, they likely did not intend to help create a Polish hero, martyr and future saint for the Catholic Church. Although the Communists had been trying to kill Fr. Popiełuszko in ways that would seem like an accident, they captured him 36 years ago today, on Oct. 19, 1984. They beat him to death and threw his body into a river. He was only 37 years old. His crimes: encouraging peaceful resistance to Communism, celebrating the Masses for the homeland, and working as chaplain to the workers of the Solidarność (Solidarity) movement and trade union, which was known for its opposition to Communism. His body was recovered on Oct. 30, 1984. His death grieved and enraged Catholics and members of the Solidarity movement, who had hoped to accomplish social change without violence. “When the news was announced at his parish church, the congregation was silent for a moment and then began shrieking and weeping with grief.” Fr. Popiełuszko is one of more than 3,000 priests martyred in Poland under the Nazi and Communist regimes which dominated the country from 1939-1989. In 2009, Fr. Popiełuszko was posthumously awarded the Order of the White Eagle, the highest civilian or military decoration in Poland. That same year, he was declared a martyr of the Catholic Church by Pope Benedict XVI, and on June 6, 2010 he was beatified. (CNA)