Saint Albert Chmielowski, Saint of the day for June 14th

(August 20, 1845 - December 25, 1916)

The story of Saint Albert Chmielowski

Born in Igolomia near Krakow as the eldest of four children in a wealthy family, he was baptized Adam. During the 1864 uprising against Tsar Alexander III, Adam's wounds forced the amputation of his left leg.

His great talent for painting led to study in Warsaw, Munich and Paris. Adam returned to Krakow and became a secular Franciscan. In 1888, when he founded the Brothers of the Third Order of St. Francis, Servants of the Poor, he took the name of Albert. They worked primarily with the homeless, completely dependent on alms while serving the needy regardless of age, religion or politics. A community of Albertine sisters was later established.

Pope John Paul II beatified Albert in 1983 and canonized him six years later. His liturgical feast is on June 17th.

Reflection

Reflecting on his priestly vocation, in 1996 Pope John Paul II wrote that his brother Albert had played a role in his formation "because I found in him a true spiritual support and example in leaving behind the world of art, literature and theater, and in making the radical choice of a vocation to the priesthood "(Gift and mystery: the fiftieth anniversary of my priestly ordination). As a young priest, Karol Wojtyla repaid his debt of gratitude by writing The Brother of Our God, a play on the life of Brother Albert.