Discover the extraordinary true story of Stanisława Leszczyńska, the Catholic Midwife of Auschwitz, a Polish midwife whose faith, courage and compassion brought hope into one of the darkest places in human history.

Dr Gosia Brykczynska's book, 'The Real Midwife of Auschwitz: The Life of Stanisława Leszczyńska' is available now from CTS.

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During the Second World War, Stanisława Leszczyńska was imprisoned by the Nazis and sent to Auschwitz-Birkenau along with members of her family. There, in the midst of unimaginable suffering, starvation and cruelty, she continued the vocation she had spent her life preparing for: caring for mothers and delivering babies.

Known today as the Midwife of Auschwitz, Stanisława helped thousands of women give birth inside the concentration camp. Surrounded by death and despair, she defended the dignity of every mother and every child, offering care, prayer and compassion when the world around her sought to destroy human life.

In this powerful conversation, Dr Gosia Brykczynska, author of 'The Real Midwife of Auschwitz', explores the remarkable life and witness of Stanisława Leszczyńska. She explains how Stanisława’s deep Catholic faith shaped her entire life, from her calling as a midwife to the extraordinary courage she showed in Auschwitz.

The episode explores Stanisława Leszczyńska’s childhood, her journey into midwifery, her devotion to Our Lady, her years caring for pregnant prisoners in Auschwitz-Birkenau, and the profound spiritual strength that enabled her to bring hope into a place of suffering.

Her story is a reminder that even in the darkest moments of history, acts of love, mercy and faith can shine brightly. Stanisława's life reveals the power of Christian witness, the dignity of every human person and the courage of one woman who remained faithful to her vocation even when faced with unimaginable evil.

Today, Stanisława Leszczyńska is remembered as the Catholic Midwife of Auschwitz, and her cause for canonisation continues as many look to her as an example of heroic virtue, compassion and unwavering faith.

Chapters
0:00 Intro
1:45 Meet Stanisława Leszczyńska
4:49 A Calling to Midwifery
7:49 Faith Before Auschwitz
10:36 Sent to Auschwitz-Birkenau
12:33 The Midwife of Auschwitz
16:22 Delivering Life Amid Death
25:51 Defying Nazi Evil
30:22 Where was God in the Camps?
35:17 What Stanisława Teaches Us
39:29 Should She Become A Saint?

About Stanisława Leszczyńska (1896–1974)
Stanisława Leszczyńska was a Polish Catholic midwife whose extraordinary courage and compassion became a powerful witness to human dignity during the horrors of the Second World War. Known as the “Midwife of Auschwitz,” she is remembered for bringing hope and mercy to pregnant women imprisoned in Auschwitz-Birkenau.

In Auschwitz, Stanisława was ordered to work as a midwife among female prisoners. Despite the horrific conditions of the camp, the lack of medical supplies, the threat of violence and the Nazi policy of dehumanisation, she continued to care for pregnant women and deliver their babies. She refused to abandon her vocation or cooperate with the killing of newborn children, even when ordered to do so.

She delivered thousands of babies during her time in Auschwitz and was later remembered by survivors for her courage, kindness and unwavering faith. She prayed with mothers, baptised children with the consent of their parents, and insisted that every child was recognised as a precious human person with a name and dignity.

After the war, Stanisława returned to Poland and continued working as a midwife until her retirement. She died in 1974, leaving behind a legacy of faith, sacrifice and heroic love.

Her life has become an important example of Christian witness in the face of evil. The Catholic Church opened her cause for canonisation, and she is recognised as a Servant of God. For many, Stanisława Leszczyńska represents the power of faith, the dignity of human life and the ability of one person to bring light into even the darkest circumstances.