Laywoman Who Kept Faith Alive in Soviet Kazakhstan Reaches Sainthood Cause

Laywoman who kept faith alive in Soviet Kazakhstan reaches sainthood cause

Gertrude Detzel (1903–1971), born in the Caucasus region of the Russian Empire, was later deported to Kazakhstan and became a key figure in the underground Catholic community. / Credit: Diocese of Karaganda Vatican City, Oct 27, 2025 / 15:23 pm (CNA). A small delegation from Kazakhstan has brought to the Vatican two sealed boxes containing more than 30 pounds of documents, testimonies, and accounts of miracles for the cause of Servant of God Ger…

Meet the laywoman who kept Catholic faith alive in Soviet camps

By Alexey Gotovskiy Vatican City, Oct 27, 2025 / 15:23 pm A small delegation from Kazakhstan has brought to the Vatican two sealed boxes containing more than 30 pounds of documents, testimonies, and accounts of miracles for the cause of Servant of God Gertrude Detzel — a laywoman who kept the Catholic faith alive through decades of Soviet persecution. The materials, delivered to the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints on Oct. 21, mark the start o…