Photo de Raphaël Kalinowski, Saint Raphael Kalinowski:
an Introduction to His Life and Spirituality, 1998. Written by Szczepan T.
Praskiewicz, OCD. Translated to English by Thomas Coonan, Michael Griffin, OCD,
and Lawrence Sullivan, OCD. ICS Publications, Institute of Carmelite Studies,
Washington DC.
Saint Raphaël Kalinowski
Carme polonais (+ 1907)
Raphaël de Saint-Joseph (Joseph Kalinowski) né à Vilna
en 1835.
Suite à son rôle dans l'insurrection polonaise en
Lituanie, il fut déporté en Sibérie. Il encouragea les autres prisonniers par
son aide à la prière et ses encouragements généreux.
Il entra chez les Carmes déchaussés d'Autriche sous le
nom de frère Raphaël de Saint-Joseph. Il étudia la théologie en Hongrie et fut
ordonné prêtre en 1882.
Il restaura la province des Carmes polonais.
Il meurt à l'âge de 72 ans au couvent de Wadowice, le
15 novembre 1907, jour de la commémoration de tous les défunts de l'Ordre du
Carmel.
Béatifié le 22 juin 1983 par Jean-Paul II à Kracovie
puis canonisé le 17 novembre 1991.
Voir aussi: biographie (en
anglais, site du Vatican) et site du Carmel au
Québec.
«Notre tâche principale au Carmel est de converser
avec Dieu en toutes nos actions.»
SOURCE : https://nominis.cef.fr/contenus/saint/10138/Saint-Raphael-Kalinowski.html
.JPG)
Vitrail
représentant la vie de Raphaël Kalinowski, dans l'église sainte Elizabeth
de Wroclaw (basilique mineure).
Saint Raphaël de Saint
Joseph
Józef Kalinowski
Prêtre
Religieux polonais,
Restaurateur du Carmel en
Pologne et confesseur.
Nom civil : Józef
Kalinowski
Nom religieux
: Raphaël de Saint-Joseph
Rafał Kalinowski
Naissance 1 septembre
1835
Décès : 15 novembre
1907
Fête : 19 novembre
Rang de la fête
: Mémoire obligatoire" au Carmel
Béatification : 22 juin
1983
Canonisation :17 novembre
1991
Joseph Kalinowski
(1835-1907), polonais, né à Vilna, a été officier dans l’armée russe. Amené à
commander l’insurrection polonaise en Lithuanie, il est condamné à dix ans de déportation
en Sibérie où s’exerce son immense charité. Libéré, il vient à Paris comme
précepteur du jeune prince Auguste Czartoryski qui deviendra salésien et sera
béatifié. À quarante-deux ans, il entre chez les carmes en Autriche sous le nom
de Raphaël de Saint-Joseph et restaure la province carmélitaine de Pologne avec
l’aide de deux Pères venus de France.
SOURCE : https://lecarmel.org/raphael-kalinowski
Monastère
des Carmes déchaussés à Czerna, Pologne
Saint Raphaël Kalinowski
— Qui es-tu ?
1835 – 1907
Sa jeunesse
Joseph Kalinowski naquit
à VILNA en LITUANIE le 1er septembre 1835 dans une famille catholique. Deuxième
fils d'André Kalinowski et de Joséphine Polonska; sa maman meurt quelques
semaines après la naissance de Joseph. Le père de Joseph marie en seconde noce
la soeur de sa première épouse qui lui donne trois enfants. Après neuf ans de
mariage, André Kalinowski perd sa seconde épouse. Il contactera un troisième
mariage avec Sophie Puttkamer de qui naîtront quatre autres enfants. Cette
troisième mère eut sur Joseph une grande influence lorsque celui-ci fut éprouvé
par une crise religieuse lors de ses études à l'Académie militaire de Saint
–Pétersbourg. Il faut préciser ici que la Pologne et la Lituanie étaient liées
entre elles par une union fédérale signée à KREWNO en 1385. Opprimées par la
Russie depuis 1772, les tsars firent fermer les universités de Pologne et de
Lituanie et les étudiants étaient contraints d'étudier dans les universités de
Russie. C'est ainsi que Joseph s'orienta dans les sciences exactes à l'Ecole de
Génie militaire à Saint-Pétersbourg. Ses études terminées en 1857, il reçoit le
grade d'ingénieur-lieutenant. Par la suite il exerce pendant quelques temps sa
profession d'ingénieur dans une région solitaire de Russie, à Kursk. Par la
profonde solitude du lieu, par la lecture du livre des Confessions de
Saint Augustin et d'un petit livre de piété mariale, s'amorce chez lui une
profonde conversion. Il dira :
« Je regarde la vie
maintenant avec plus de calme, et ses plaisirs ont perdu pour moi beaucoup de
leurs charmes. »
Par la suite, il sera
assigné à Brest en Pologne où il découvrira la persécution que les tsars russes
infligeaient aux catholiques de Pologne et de Lituanie. Le catholicisme pour
ces peuples opprimés était identifié à ce qui était national. Il fallait à tout
prix «russifier ces peuples». C'est ainsi que Joseph Kalinowski quitte
l'armée russe à laquelle il appartenait pour se consacrer à la défense de sa
nation.
Période militaire
Pour la liberté de la
patrie
Joseph Kalinowski
participe à l'Insurrection polonaise de Janvier 1863 contre la puissance
militaire russe sachant d'emblée que cette insurrection ne pouvait qu'échouer.
Le 24 mars 1864, Joseph est arrêté par le gouvernement russe et condamné à mort
mais sa peine est commuée à dix ans de travaux forcés en Sibérie. Le 29 juin
1864, avec plusieurs compatriotes, il quitte Vilna pour la Sibérie. La
déportation dure dix mois et est empreinte de grandes souffrances. Joseph se comporte
envers ses compagnons de misère avec une très grande charité. Il puise la force
de supporter les souffrances dans la prière. Il écrira lui-même :
« Le monde peut me priver
de tout, mais il me restera toujours un lieu caché qui lui est inaccessible :
la prière! En elle, on peut recueillir le passé, le présent et l'avenir et les
placer sous le signe de l'espérance. Oh Dieu, quel grand trésor tu accordes à
ceux qui espèrent en toi. »
C'est durant cette longue
période d'exil en Sibérie qu'il se sent appelé au sacerdoce. Après dix ans
d'exil, Joseph K. est libéré le 2 février 1874. Il pouvait s'établir en Pologne
mais n'avait pas le droit de retourner en Lituanie, sa terre natale.
Précepteur
Précepteur du prince
Auguste Czartoryski et vocation au Carmel
À son retour d'exil,
Joseph Kalinowski, reconnu pour ses qualités d'éducateur à la foi profonde, est
sollicité pour devenir précepteur du jeune prince Auguste Czartoryski, âgé de
16 ans. C'est à Cracovie en Pologne à l'automne 1874 qu'il rencontre pour la première
fois le prince Auguste mais aussi sa tante, jadis princesse, devenue religieuse
carmélite déchaussée du nom de Marie-Xavière de Jésus. Or cette religieuse
carmélite, après avoir sollicité pendant longtemps la prière dans d'autres
monastères afin que le Seigneur envoie celui qui favoriserait le développement
de l'Ordre du Carmel en Pologne, reconnaît en Joseph Kalinowski la personne
toute désignée pour cette mission. Il fallait donc prier dorénavant pour la
vocation au Carmel de Joseph K. Pendant un peu plus de deux ans, Joseph
s'occupe de l'éducation du prince Auguste à Paris. A l'automne 1876, il avoue
dans une lettre adressée à sa famille, son désir profond de se consacrer au
Seigneur dans l'Ordre du Carmel. A l'été 1877, il prend congé du jeune prince
Auguste et se rend en Autriche à LINZ pour rencontrer le provincial des Carmes
Déchaux de la province austro-hongroise à laquelle était rattaché l'unique
couvent carmélitain de Pologne à CZERNA près de Cracovie. Le 15 juillet 1877,
Joseph Kalinowski entre au noviciat des Carmes Déchaux à GRANTZ en Autriche; il
est âgé de 42 ans. On lui donne le nom de RAPHAËL DE SAINT JOSEPH. Il prononce
ses premiers vœux le 26 novembre 1878 et est envoyé au couvent de RAAB en
Hongrie pour y effectuer ses études de philosophie et de théologie. Le 27
novembre 1881, il prononce ses vœux solennels et est envoyé en Pologne au
couvent de CZERNA. Il sera ordonné prêtre en 1882 à l'âge de 46 ans. Dès
l'année 1883, il devient prieur de ce couvent. C'est de la communauté de CZERNA
que refleurira le Carmel masculin en Pologne.
Restauration du Carmel en
Pologne
À l'œuvre pour
restaurer le Carmel de Pologne
Le ministère du père
Raphaël de Saint Joseph sera des plus fécond. Vicaire provincial et visiteur
des monastères de carmélites, il sera leur confesseur et leur directeur
spirituel. De plus il est le promoteur de deux fondations de monastères de
carmélites dont un en Ukraine. Encouragé par le père général de l'Ordre du
Carmel, le père Gotti, il fonde un couvent masculin à WADOWICW et un petit
séminaire dont le but est de former des garçons qui ont un attrait vocationnel
pour le Carmel. Son ministère rejoint aussi les fidèles laïcs en organisant le
Tiers-Ordre séculier et la Confraternité du Carmel. Il aura aussi le souci de
recouvrer les archives conventuelles du passé, dispersées lors des suppressions
des monastères. De nombreux documents relatant l'histoire des anciens couvents
seront retrouvés et publiés sous le titre: «Chroniques Carmélitaines».
Plusieurs ouvrages carmélitains seront aussi publiés grâce à son
initiative.
Le père Raphaël de Saint
Joseph sera le «restaurateur du Carmel polonais» non seulement par ses
fondations et initiatives diverses contribuant à l'essor du Carmel en Pologne
mais surtout par sa vie d'union à Dieu, soutenue par l'oraison, le
recueillement, le silence et l'austérité de vie. Il dira lui-même :
« Notre tâche principale
au Carmel est de converser avec Dieu en toutes nos actions. »
Il meurt à l'âge de 72
ans au couvent de WADOWICE le 15 novembre 1907, jour de la commémoraison de
tous les défunts de l'Ordre du Carmel.
Le père Raphaël
Kalinowski fut béatifié à Cracovie le 22 juin 1983 par le pape Jean Paul II,
pape polonais originaire de la ville de WADOWICE où mourut le serviteur de
Dieu. La canonisation du bienheureux Raphaël Kalinowski eut lieu à Rome le 17
novembre 1992 sous le pontificat de Jean Paul II.
Fête liturgique : le
19 novembre.
SOURCE : https://lecarmel.org/_raphael-kalinowski_qui-es-tu
San
Rafał Kalinowski en la antigua iglesia de los dominicos en Kaunas
Also known as
Joseph Kalinowski
Raffael di San Giuseppe
Raphael Joseph Kalinowski
Raphael of Saint Joseph
19
November on some calendars
Profile
Son of Andrew Kalinowski,
prominent mathmatics professor at
the College of Nobility, and Josepha Poionska Kalinowski. Studied at
his father‘s school.
Though he felt a call to the priesthood,
Joseph decided on college first.
He studied zoology, chemistry, agriculture,
and apiculture at
the Institute of Agronomy in Hory Horki, Russia,
and at the Academy of Military
Engineering at Saint Petersburg, Russia.
Lieutenant in the Russian Military
Engineering Corps in 1857.
Planned and supervised the construction of
the railway between Kursk and Odessa. Promoted to captain in 1862,
he was stationed in Brest-Litovsk. There he started, taught,
and bore all the costs of a Sunday school, accepting anyone interested.
In 1863 he
supported the Polish insurrection.
He resigned from the Russian army and
became the rebellion’s minister of
war for the Vilna region;
he took the commission with the understanding that he would never hand out a
death sentence or execute a prisoner. Arrested by Russian authorities
on 25
March 1864.
In June 1864 he
was condemned
to death for his part in the revolt, but the authorities feared they
would be creating a political martyr, and commuted his sentence to ten years
forced labour in the Siberian salt mines;
part of his sentence was spent in Irkutsk where his relics recently
sanctified a new cathedral.
Released in 1873,
he was exiled from
his home region in Lithuania.
Moved to Paris, France,
and worked as a tutor for
three years. In 1877 he
finally answered the long-heard call to the religious
life, and joined the Carmelite
Order at Graz, Austria,
taking the name Raphael. Studied
theology in Hungary,
then joined the Carmelite house
at Czama, Poland. Ordained on 15
January 1882.
Worked to restore
the Discalced
Carmelites to Poland,
and for church unity.
Founded a convent at
Wadowice, Poland,
c.1889.
Worked with Blessed Alphonsus
Mary Marurek. Noted spiritural director of both Catholics and
Orthodox. Enthusiastic parish priest,
he spent countless hours with his parishioners in
the confessional.
Born
1
September 1835 at Vilna, Russian Poland (modern Vilnius, Lithuania)
as Joseph Kalinowski
15
November 1907 at
Wadowice, Malopolskie, Poland of
natural causes
11
October 1980 by Pope John
Paul II (decree of heroic
virtues)
22
June 1983 at Cracow, Poland by Pope John
Paul II
17
November 1991 by Pope John
Paul II
Readings
Our Redeemer, ever
present in the most Blessed Sacrament, extends His hand to everyone. He opens
His heart and says, ‘Come to Me, all of You.'” – Saint Raphael
MLA
Citation
“Saint Raphael
Kalinowski“. CatholicSaints.Info. 14 April 2019. Web. 19 November 2020.
<https://catholicsaints.info/saint-raphael-kalinowski/>
Readings
Our Redeemer, ever
present in the most Blessed Sacrament, extends His hand to everyone. He opens
His heart and says, ‘Come to Me, all of You.'” – Saint Raphael
SOURCE : https://catholicsaints.info/saint-raphael-kalinowski/
Kościół
św. Rafała Kalinowskiego w Krakowie
Church
of Saint Rafal Kalinowski in Cracow, Poland
Raphael Kalinowski, O.C.D. (1835-1907)
Father Raphael of Saint
Joseph Kalinowski, was born at Vilna, 1st September 1835, and at baptism
received the name Joseph. Under the teaching of his father Andrew, at the
Institute for Nobles at Vilna, he progressed so well that he received the
maximum distinction in his studies. He then went for two years (1851-1852) to
the school of Agriculture at Hory-Horky. During the years 1853-1857, he
continued his studies at the Academy of Military Engineering at St Petersburg,
obtaining his degree in Engineering, and the rank of Lieutenant. Immediately
afterwards he was named Lecturer in Mathematics at the same Academy. In 1859,
he took part in the designing of the Kursk-Kiev-Odessa railway.
In 1863 the Polish
insurrection against their Russian oppressors broke out. He resigned from the
Russian forces, and accepted the post of Minister of War for the region of
Vilna, in the rebel army. On 24th March 1864, he was arrested and condemned to
death, a penalty that was mitigated to 10 years hard labour in Siberia. With an
admirable strength of spirit, patience, and love for his fellow exiles, he knew
how to instill into them the spirit of prayer, serenity and hope, and to give
material help together with a word of encouragement.
Repatriated in 1874, he
accepted the post of tutor to the Venerable Servant of God, Augusto
Czartoryski, living mostly in Paris. His influence on the young prince was
such, that Augusto discovered his true vocation as priest and religious. He was
received into the Salesians by their founder, Saint John Bosco, in 1887. On the
other hand, Joseph Kalinowski entered the Discalced Carmelites at Graz in
Austria, and received the religious name of Brother Raphael of Saint Joseph. He
studied theology in Hungary, and was ordained Priest at Czerna near Krakow,
15th January 1882.
Afire with apostolic
zeal, he did not spare himself in helping the faithful, and assisting his
Carmelite brothers and sisters in the ascent of the mountain of perfection.
In the sacrament of
Reconciliation, he lifted up many from the mire of sin. He did his utmost for
the work of reunification of the Church, and bequeathed this mission to his
Carmelite brothers and sisters. His superiors entrusted him with many important
offices, which he carried out perfectly, right until the time of his death.
Overcome by fatigue and
suffering, and held in great respect by all the people, he gave his soul to
God, 15th November 1907, at Wadowice in the monastery founded by himself. He
was buried in the monastery cemetery, at Czerna, near Krakow.
During his life and after
death, he enjoyed a remarkable fame for sanctity, even on the part of the most noble
and illustrious of people, such as the Cardinals Dunajewski, Puzyna, Kakowski
and Gotti. The Ordinary Process for his eventual beatification, was set in
motion in the Curia of Krakow during the years 1934-1938, and later taken to
Rome where in 1943 was issued the Decree concerning his writings. His cause was
introduced in 1952. From 1953-1956 the Apostolic Process was carried out, and
the Congregation proceeded to the discussion on his virtues.
Pope John Paul II, on the
11th October 1980, promulgated the Decree on the heroicity of his virtues.
After the approval of the miraculous healing of the Reverend Mis, the Holy
Father beatified Father Raphael Kalinowski at Krakow on 22nd June 1983.
As the fame of his
miracles was increasing, the Curia of Krakow in 1989, set in motion the
Canonical Process to investigate the extraordinary healing of a young child.
The discussions of the doctors, theologians and cardinals, were brought to a
happy conclusion. On the 10th July 1990, the Holy Father John Paul II, approved
the miracle for the canonization.
In the Consistory of 26th
November 1990, Pope John Paul together with the Cardinals, decided to canonize
Blessed Raphael Kalinowski. They set the ceremony for Sunday, 17th November
1991.
Pope John Paul II, today
canonizes him, and presents him as a model to all Christians in the universal
Church.
SOURCE : http://www.vatican.va/news_services/liturgy/saints/ns_lit_doc_19911117_kalinowski_en.html
Kościół
we wsi Rajskie.
Church
in Rajskie
St. Raphael Kalinowski
Joseph Kalinowski, was
born in Vilna (Lithuania) on 1st September 1835, the son of Andrew Kalinowski
and Josephine Polonska, Catholic nobles.
He studied in the Saint
Petersburg military academy and obtained good results, but because of his
country’s revolt against Russian occupation, he decided to leave the army.
Although, because of his knowledge, he knew that the success of the uprising
was impossible, he decided to help his compatriots, by accepting the office of Minister
of War and tried, in as far as it was possible, to avoid greater spilling of
blood.
In March 1864, he was
arrested and condemned to capital punishment, which was commuted to 10 years of
forced labour in Siberia. With a crucifix and the Imitation of Christ, he set
out for Siberia and after 9 months of the hardest of journeys he reached the
shores of Lake Bajkal.
In those particularly
hard circumstances, he showed great integrity and charity, putting up with
sufferings and inconveniences, sharing what he had with others and asked his
relatives if they could help him: «I write it clearly, poverty here is great;
to find money in the homeland is always easier than in Siberia. It is
inconceivable to be indifferent to me».
With the passing of
years, he was set free from forced labour and on 2nd February 1874, he gained
his freedom, but was forbidden to return to live in Lithuania. He then accepted
the position of tutor to Augustus Czartoryski, a 16 year old, who lived the
greater part of the time in Paris.
On 15th July 1877, he
entered the Carmelite monastery in Grantz, taking the name of Raphael of Saint
Joseph. He made his first vows on 26th November 1878 and travelled to Hungary
to study philosophy and theology in the Raab monastery. On 27th November 1881,
he made his solemn vows and was sent to the Czerna monastery in Poland, where
he was ordained priest on 15th January 1882 and within a year he was given the
responsibilities of government.
In Poland he reorganized
the Order as well as the Secular Order. He published biographies. In 1906, he
took over the running of the college of theology in Wadowice. He became
appreciated by all as a spiritual director and confessor. He devoted himself
with special interest and great commitment to helping his Discalced Carmelite
sisters.
He died on 15th November
1907 in Wadowice. He was beatified in Cracow on 22nd June 1983 by Pope John
Paul II and canonized in Rome on 17th November 1991. His feast is celebrated on
19th November.
In his life, what stands
out in a special manner are his spirit of charity and his spirit of
reconciliation, together with the commitment he showed to formation,
particularly for young people.
He taught them to have
the courage of persevering in their faith and to have hope in the midst of
difficulties; he also taught that it is only in the light of the reconciliation
that comes from God is it possible to move towards meeting with others and
giving pardon. He added that to be able to pardon, it is necessary to know that
you yourself have been pardoned.
He possessed an open
character, full of warmth. After his time in Siberia, he returned convinced of
the need to focus on the youth, since, at this stage of life, learning forms
the person and decides the future. First of all he sought an integral formation
of the human being; he was moved by a spiritual and intellectual interest.
His life was lit up by
the Gospel and the person of Jesus.
He is invoked as patron
of Siberians, educators, railway workers, engineers and the youth.
SOURCE : https://www.carmelitaniscalzi.com/en/who-we-are/our-saints/st-raphael-kalinowski/
Kościół
św. Rafała Kalinowskiego w Ełku
St.
Raphael Kalinowski Church in Ełk
St. Raphael Kalinowski of St. Joseph (1835-1907)
Saint Raphael of St.
Joseph (Joseph Kalinowski), a Polish Discalced Carmelite Priest, was canonized
on November 17, 1991, by Pope Saint John Paul II in St. Peter’s Basilica. We
celebrate his feast on November 19th.
He worked extensively to
build unity, peace and the Discalced Carmelite Order. His father was a
professor of mathematics at the Institute of Nobles in Vilna and following his
father’s footsteps, Joseph enrolled in the Military School of Engineering in
1853. He graduated with the rank of Lieutenant Engineer and was also named
Assistant of Mathematics at the Academy itself. Joseph’s faith began to grow
intensely by caring for the poor, especially the young, by opening a Sunday
school for poor youths. He longed for a greater union between the Eastern
Church and the Roman Church.
The Polish insurrection
against Russia began in 1863, and Joseph at first resigned in protest of the
insurrection, believing Poland was not strong enough to conquer Russia. He
planned to stay out of politics, but was asked by the National Council
directing the insurrection against Russia to serve. He became Minister of War
against Russia for the region of Vilna. Eventually, he was arrested and locked
up in prison, where he lived a life as a religious, each day he awoke up at 5
a.m. for prayer and meditation. On June 2, 1864 he was condemned to death but
the sentence was commuted to exile so that he would not look like a martyr. He
was exiled and sentenced to life in prison in Siberia; a term later reduced to
10 years. He wrote to his family from Siberia: “God entirely devoted Himself to
us. How can we not devote ourselves entirely to Him?”
After his nine and a half
years in prison, he went to Warsaw, Poland, near his brother Gabriel, and from
the window he could see the Discalced Carmelite Friars monastery. He read the
works of Saint Teresa of Avila and Saint John of the Cross and decided to
become a Discalced Carmelite. He made his solemn profession on November 27th
and took the name Raphael of Saint Joseph. He assisted in the growth of the
Discalced Carmelite Order in Poland and had the Story of a Soul translated into
Polish.
His major
achievement was the establishment of a vocational seminary for young men. He
worked with the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites (Carmelite lay men and
women) in re-establishing them in Poland. His greatest love was the sacramental
life that is the Mass and Communion. Observers say that he said Mass with such
reverence that people could experience the emotion. He said in regarding his
love for the Eucharist:
Our Redeemer ever present
in the most Blessed Sacrament extends His hands to everyone. He opens His heart
and says, “Come to Me, all of you.”
In proclaiming Father
Raphael a saint, the Church shows him as a model of a man who in various
circumstances of his life—as engineer, teacher, rebel, in exile, religious and
priest managed to realize completely his vocation of a disciple of Jesus. He
served his brothers and shared with them the Eucharist, the treasure of the
faith, and was a man deeply concerned with the integrity of the Church.
Learn
More: Carmelite Saints and Doctors
SOURCE : https://discalcedcarmel.org/saint-raphael-of-st-joseph/
Jankowo - kościół
filialny rzymskokatolicki pw. św. Rafała Kalinowskiego
Memorial of St. Raphael
Kalinowski
NOVEMBER 19, 2019 | FR. ROBERT TRAUDT, O. CARM.
In his seventy-two years
of life, St. Raphael was a teacher, engineer, prisoner of war, royal tutor, and
a Discalced Carmelite friar and priest. Jozef was born to a
noble family on September 1, 1835 in Vilnuis, Lithuania, which was inside the
Russian partition of the former Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth.
In 1853 he enlisted in
the Russian Imperial Army and entered an engineering academy. From 1858 to 1860
he worked as an army engineer. Jozef also became an associate professor of
mathematics.
He resigned from the army
in 1863 because of his strong support and sympathies towards the Poles. He
joined the January uprising which attempted to regain Polish independence.
Jozef was taken a prisoner and sentenced to hard labor in Siberia. It took him
and his fellow prisoners nine months to make the forced march to the labor
camp. He was sustained by his strong faith during that ordeal and became a
spiritual leader to other prisoners. He was released after his ten year
sentence ended.
He returned to Warsaw in
1874 and became a tutor to Prince August Czartoryski. Two years later the
Prince developed tuberculosis. Kalinowski traveled with him to health centers
in France, Italy, Switzerland and Poland. Despite the doctor’s efforts, the
Prince died two years later.
In 1877, Kalinowski
entered the Discalced Carmelite community in Linz and took the religious name
Brother Raphael of St. Joseph. It was common for the friars to have the
name, “of St. Joseph” in honor of the convent of St. Joseph founded by St.
Teresa of Avila. He was ordained a priest at Czerna on January 15, 1882. A year
later he became prior of the community at Czerna.
He founded a number of
Catholic organizations around Poland and Ukraine. Kalinowski contributed
greatly to restoring the Discalced in Poland with opening convents of nuns in
Prezemys and Lvov, and a house for the friars in Wadowicz. He was sought after
as a confessor. He was also a spiritual director not only for Catholics but
also members of the Russian Orthodox Church.
He died from tuberculosis
on November 11, 1907. After his death, a large number of pilgrims traveled to
Wadowic to visit his grave. His body was moved to a tomb and eventually to a
burial place in Czerna.
Raphael Kalinowski was
beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1983 in Krakow before a crowd of two million
people. On November 17, 1991, Pope John Paul II canonized him at St. Peter’s
Basilica in Rome.
“Our Redeemer ever
present in the Blessed Sacrament, extends His hands to everyone. He opens His
heart and says, ‘Come to Me all of you.’”
FR. ROBERT TRAUDT, O.
CARM.
SEE
ALL POSTS BY FR. ROBERT SEE
ALL POSTS BY FR. ROBERT
SOURCE : http://www.carmelites.net/saints/memorial-of-st-raphael-kalinowski/
Kościół
im. św. Rafała Kalinowskiego na terenie Centrum Edukacji i
Promocji Regionu w Szymbarku
RAPHAEL KALINOWSKI
by Eileen Ahern, OCDS
I. INTRODUCTION
Blessed Raphael
Kalinowski of St. Joseph, a Polish Discalced Carmelite, was canonized November
17 1991 by Pope John Paul II in St. Peter's Basilica. He is held by many to be
the precursor of and model for the modern lay apostolate and as an architect of
peace, culture and unity among Christians. We celebrate St. Raphael
Kalinowski's feast day on November 19th.
Who is this Carmelite
priest who has been honored for years in his native Poland but who is generally
unknown to the rest of the world? Research uncovers a "stranger than
fiction" tale of an adventurous and complex life which covered many
contrasting careers.
Father Raphael was a
student technician, engineer, fervent patriot, exile, tutor and finally at the
age of 42 years, a Carmelite priest.
II. HIS YOUTH AND
EDUCATION
Joseph Kalinowski was
born at Vilna in the present Lithuania on September 1, 1835. His home on Holy
Spirit Street disappeared in World War II. He was educated at home by his
parents, Andrew and Josephine, receiving a deeply religious instruction. He was
devoted to Our Lady, and her picture under the title of Our Lady of Ostra Brama
(Gate of Defense) was carried by him throughout his adventurous life. The
sanctuary of Our Lady of Mercy still stands over the gate of the city wall at
Vilna - hence, the above title The Kalinowskis prayed fervently for the union
of the Eastern Church with Rome. This union and the conversion of Russia were
constant petitions of Joseph throughout his life.
Joseph's father was a
professor of mathematics at the Institute of Nobles in Vilna which had been
founded by the Russian government but was later closed by the Czar. He later
become its Rector also but resigned for reasons of conscience. Joseph attended
the Institute for seven years, excelling academically and becoming grounded in
a fervently religious Polish patriotism. While he was still at school, the Czar
began his persecution of Poles, Lithuanians and the Catholic Church. Many Poles
were deported to Siberia, executions in the town square were common.
In 1850, Joseph completed
his studies at the Institute with brilliance. As higher education was not
permitted in either Poland or Lithuania, he had the choice of either going
abroad (which was practically impossible) or attending a Russian University.
One saving factor of choosing the latter was that many young Poles left their
fatherland for higher studies, so Polish colonies mushroomed in the Russian
cities.
Initially, Joseph
attended the famous school of Agronomy (the art and science of managing crops
and land) at Hory-Horki. He studied here for two years but became dissatisfied
with this course of study. Together with his cousin, Lucian Polonski, He
enrolled in the School of Engineering at the city of St. Petersberg.
Then, as now, St.
Petersberg was one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Today, its
population numbers 4,000,000. It extends over one hundred islands on the Neva
River and is called the Venice of the North. The influence of the Italian
architects who originally planned this city is apparent in the broad streets,
large piazzas and magnificent buildings and churches. Today, many of the
churches are museums only.
Joseph enrolled at the
Military School of Engineering in 1853. He preferred Bridge and Road
Engineering, but this school was filled. Three years later, he finished with
the rank of Lieutenant engineer. He also was named Assistant of Mathematics at
the Academy itself. However, these were sad years for him due to being an
expatriate who endured heavy military discipline and ruthlessness from
upperclassmen and the Russians. He faced this with his natural mildness and
tolerance for both his fellow students and his professors.
There are many grand
structures in St. Petersberg. One is the old Winter Palace of the Czars which
is now the magnificent Hermitage Museum. Joseph drilled at a military fortress
near the island of Kronstadt, the former summer residence of the Czars. This
grandeur must have been somewhat overwhelming to a Polish student in a foreign
land.
III. MILITARY ENGINEER
Commissioned as an
Engineer Superintendent for Maintenance and Fortification in 1860, Joseph was
appointed to the fortress at Brest-Litowski, a city on the Polish frontier. One
of his works here was the powder magazine. He was later promoted to Captain of
the General Staff. The fortress became known as the "heroic fortress"
because of the fierce resistance of 8,000 Russian soldiers to invading German
troops in 1942 during World War II. Only a few hundred of the 8,000 men
survived. The fortress was completely demolished. Its ruins were left intact by
Russia after the war with the whole complex becoming a monument to the
defenders.
With Joseph's promotion,
came the added obligation of trips to the Office of the General Staff in St.
Petersberg.
Throughout this period
Joseph's spiritual life was growing in intensity. He was drawn to an apostolate
to the poor, especially the young, and he opened a Sunday School for poor
youths. His longing for the union of the Eastern Church with Rome grew
stronger.
The Polish insurrection
against Russia erupted in 1863. As is true to this day, the Poles' great love
of their country could not be reconciled with Russia's tyranny. Being extremely
aware of the military power of the Czar, Joseph advised against the revolt,
saying:
"Poland needed to
work, not to shed blood." He added, "It was too obvious to the mind's
eye what would be the struggle of the people without arms against the force of
the Russian government which possessed an enormous and strong army."
The keen intellect of the
mathematician and the engineer must have been having a great struggle with the
soul of the patriot. The spark of rebellion, however, would not die in the
hearts of the Polish people.
IV. PATRIOT
Joseph resigned his rank
and commissions and left Brest for Warsaw. He intended to retire to Vilna and
keep out of politics. However, at Warsaw, he was asked by the National Council
directing the insurrection to serve the Fatherland and become Minister of the
war against Russia for the region of Vilna. Joseph knew what the outcome of
this rebellion was destined to be, but his love for his country would not allow
him to refuse. He accepted on the condition that he would never have to
pronounce a death sentence against anyone.
After accepting this
appointment, he left for Vilna, establishing the headquarters of the rebellion
in his own home, unknown even to his own relatives. Interiorly, he grew
stronger, visiting the Vilna churches, especially that of Our Lady of Ostra
Brama, every day. This served a dual purpose. He fulfilled his duty as Minister
of War by encouraging, counseling and above all, trying to prevent the worst
for his fellow countrymen, and he became closer to God and Our Lady.
As he had forecast, one
by one the leaders of the revolt were apprehended by the Russians, tried and
hanged in the market place. Trains containing deported Lithuanians and Poles
left frequently for Russia and Siberia. The Dominican Convent, located almost
directly in front of his home, became a prison. Constantine Kalinowski, the
head of the rebellion at Vilna, was imprisoned there and later condemned to
death.
Joseph was the only
director left unapprehended. However, as he tells in his Memoirs:
"At midnight,
between the 12th and 13th of March, 1864, a voice awakened me; it was the head
of the city police; he asked: 'Does the retired civil engineer. Captain
Kalinowski live here?' - 'Yes, he lives here,' I replied. 'Please, get
dressed.' He asked me to open the writing desk and was satisfied with just the
first paper that came to his hand...After that first examination, he said to me
with a certain difficulty: 'I'm sorry, I have to arrest you.' I bowed without
saying a word. The Lord God in His goodness, did not deprive me of tranquillity
of mind."
He was then locked up in
the Dominican prison.
There is no record that
Joseph showed any outward feelings during his imprisonment. He organized his
life on the model of the religious. He notes in his Memoirs:
"I made myself an
horarium for the whole day; I got up at 5:00 in the morning. My first thought
was that of prayer, then meditation, and when I obtained books of meditation I
had great consolation. I could hear Mass every day, but from a distance,
although distinctly enough. The window of my cell opened on the courtyard which
was in the form of a quadrangle, and at one side of which was the Church of the
Holy Spirit, where Mass was sung early in the morning. I opened a little wicket
of the window and thus could enjoy Holy Mass from beginning to end."
V. EXILE
Joseph was condemned to
death on June 2, 1864. However, for many reasons, chief among them the high
moral esteem in which even the Russians held him, the Governor of Vilna
commuted his death sentence to exile, so he would not become a martyr to the
people. The death penalty was changed to ten years of forced labor in Siberia.
Before leaving for
Siberia, Joseph was allowed to see close friends who gave him a copy of the
Gospels, the "Imitation of Christ" and a Crucifix. He also was
permitted to see his spiritual director, Father Antoniewicz, with whom he
corresponded throughout his exile.
The date of his deportation
was July 29, 1864. He describes it in his Memoirs as follows:
"It looked like a
funeral, and many similar convoys had preceded us from the beginning of the
insurrection! Among us there were persons of all states and conditions of life:
proprietors, doctors, contractors, workers, peasants, married women, young
girls; it was like a flood that poured its water toward the far East. No priest
accompanied us. We took a place in the railway cars, where we were piled one on
top of the other. When the train left, moving alongside the heights that
overlooked the station, flowers were dropped down on it, as at the cemetery on
the tombs of the dead."
The troop train traveled
through St. Petersberg and Moscow to Nizni-Novgorod where the prisoners boarded
boats on the Volga River for the clearing center of Perm. At Perm, Joseph
discovered his brother Gabriel among the deportees. In September, they crossed
the Ural Mountains, either on foot or in a kibitka (a cart drawn by horses).
The Siberian winter was beginning. Many died, exhausted and frozen. They were
buried by the roadside or in the snow. Joseph's Memoirs describe this exodus:
"....The city of
Perm was a gathering point, and then from there the condemned were dispersed
eastward. Including Perm and as far as the distant east, the immense plains
below the Urals and behind the Urals became a limitless cemetery of tens of
thousands of victims thrown out of the Motherland... The very city of Perm was
in truth, in the non-figurative sense of the word, a real cemetery. In the
prison a terrible typhus raged; without the aid of proper medication, without
the salvation of the sacraments, piled up in the hospitals, our companions
departed from the world."
The survivors marched for
ten months, finally arriving at Ussole, near Lake Bahkel. Joseph describes the
last stretch of the way thus:
"The weather was
rainy, the road muddy and full of holes. A good part of the way we went on
foot, going along the bank and on the ice, which was already thawing and
breaking into pieces; starved, weary and frozen, we arrived at the barracks of
the Ussole prison." Memoirs
Ussole was a village on
the banks of the Angora. The prisoners lived on an islet in one huge barracks
where everything was done in common. The Siberian winter reached 30o-45o below
zero. there was much illness. Joseph served his fellow prisoners as well as he
could during his many years at Ussole. Through his charity and especially by
his prayer life, he became dear to them and was thought to be holy. The
prisoners even added to their prayers, "Through the prayers of Joseph
Kalinowski, deliver us, O Lord!"
In July, 1868, Joseph was
transferred to Irkutsk where he remained until 1874. Apparently, difficulties
were not as great here, as the numerous letters give ethnic, religious,
geological and climatic data. He apparently was able to continue his scientific
studies as well as to begin to study theology. Together with another deportee,
Father Szwermicki, he worked at educating the children, morally and
intellectually. He also accompanied the famous professor, Benedict Dybowski, on
exploratory trips in these immense and unknown regions.
VI. TUTOR
After nine and a half
years of exile, Joseph was repatriated. The year was 1874. However, he was
forbidden to settle in Lithuania. On April 10, 1874, he saw his family in
Vilna, then left them for the last time.
Joseph then went to
Warsaw, living near his brother Gabriel. From his window he could see the
church and convent of the Discalced Carmelite Friars.
Through the help of
Alessandro Oskierko, a friend in his exile, Joseph was offered the position of
tutor to the young prince, Augustus Czartoryski. For three years, Joseph
tutored "Gucio," as young Augustus was called in Paris. He discovered
that his pupil possessed great interior richness but was of fragile health. As
well as teacher, Joseph was friend, spiritual director and nurse to
"Gucio."
During his years with
Augustus in Paris, Joseph was surrounded by political and social activities. He
was also involved in work for the Polish refugees. Music was cultivated, and
Joseph met the Discalced Carmelite, Father Augustine Mary of the Blessed
Sacrament (Hermann Cohen, the celebrated Jewish pianist and convert). Joseph
admired his great musical talent but, above all, his profound spirituality.
Throughout this time,
Joseph's thirst for God grew. He felt as if he did not belong in his
surroundings. Finally, his last tie with Augustus was broken, as the young
prince was due to be introduced into society and above all, entrusted to the
care of a priest. Augustus also was feeling the call to spiritual perfection.
As a last retreat among
the mountains of Davos in Switzerland, both teacher and pupil were touched by
the Lord. Joseph writes in his Memoirs:
"The Life of St.
Aloysius Gonzaga by Father Cepari, sent to me from Italy, had a decisive
effectiveness on the spiritual progress of Augustus, and opened the way for him
to a more simple union with God."
Meanwhile, Joseph had
been thoroughly reading the works of St. John of the Cross and St. Teresa of
Avila. At Davos, he decided to enter Carmel.
Joseph and Augustus
parted in July of 1877. Some years later, the young prince met St. John Bosco
in Paris. In 1887, St. John Bosco enrolled Augustus as a novice in the
Salesians. Augustus was a humble and heroic Salesian. After his premature death
in 1893, the Cause of his Beatification was initiated by the Church.
VII. CARMELITE AND PRIEST
In July of 1877, Joseph
left for the Carmel of Linz. In a letter to an aunt of Augustus, Joseph said he
was urged on by one desire - to do penance. On July 15, he left for the convent
of Graz. The Chronicles of that community state, "Joseph Kalinowski, a
Pole, tutor of the son of Prince Czartoryski, arrived at our convent; he is a
tall man with a beard and is 42 years old."
Joseph made his solemn
profession on November 27, 1881 before the Father General of the Order. He had
chosen the name of Raphael of St. Joseph.
He was then transferred
to Poland to the only Carmelite convent of friars the Order had succeeded in
keeping alive in the ancient hermitage of Czerna. There, he received the
various Sacred Orders. He was ordained a priest by the Archbishop of Cracow.
Soon, he was appointed Vice-Master of Novices and, in 1883, Prior of the
convent of Czerna which office he occupied almost continually, alternating with
that of Provincial Councilor.
Due to Father Raphael's
zeal, the Polish Carmel began to thrive. Monasteries were founded at Premislia
in 1884 and at Leopoli in 1888 in the Ukraine. The Monastery of Premislia was a
center for devotion to the Holy Infant of Prague.
In 1899, Father Raphael
was named Visitator and Vicar Provincial of all of these monasteries. He also
made a great contribution to the Order by his research of the convents'
archives which had been dispersed during the suppressions. He found many
documents on the history of individual Polish Carmelite convents; with the help
of the Carmelite nuns, he published the Carmelite Chronicles of the monasteries
and convents of Vilna, Warsaw, Leopoli and Cracow. He arranged for the first
translation into Polish of The Story of a Soul, the autobiography of St.
Thérèse of Lisieux. He also wrote the biography of his friend from his Paris
days, the musically gifted Hermann Cohen.
VIII. THE LAST YEARS
The principal achievement
of Father Raphael was a junior college or vocational seminary for young men
which he built in Wadowice. He began most humbly and with great difficulties,
but vocations soon began to flow. Seven years after completing his first
building, Father Raphael built a larger college in Wadowice and a beautiful
church of St. Joseph.
The last years of Father
Raphael were spent at this seminary where he dedicated himself to the education
and formation of young men to religious life. He became noted as a confessor
and spiritual director. He constantly prayed for the conversion of Russia and
the union of the Eastern and Western Churches, offering his suffering and
mortifications for this and inviting others to imitate him. In 1904, by order
of his superiors, he began to write his Memoirs.
In 1906, he was reelected
prior of Wadowice. But, on November 15, 1907, Our Lord took him to Himself. His
reputation for sanctity continued to spread, and pilgrims came to pray at his
tomb.
The Processes of
Beatification for Father Raphael began in 1934. The heroicity of his virtues
was approved on October 7, 1982, the medical panel discussed the miracle
attributed to his intercession. The commission of theologians met and approved
this miracle unanimously.
Finally, on June 22,
1983, during his trip to Poland, Pope John Paul II performed the solemn rite of
Beatification of Father Raphael Kalinowski in Blonie, Poland. During his
homily, Pope John Paul said:
"It had been my
ardent desire that my pilgrimage to the homeland, in conjunction with the
jubilee of Jasna Gora, should also become an opportune occasion to raise to the
altars certain Servants of God whose path to sanctity is linked with this land
and this nation, over which reigns Our Lady of Jasna Gora. Their beatification
is a special feast day for the Church in Poland: for the whole People of God
that forms that Church. As the second Vatican Council has stated, in fact, the
Church must constantly remind everyone of the vocation to holiness, and must
also lead her sons and daughters to that holiness - ....Holiness, in fact,
consists in love. It is based on the commandment of love....Holiness,
therefore, is a particular likeness to Christ. A likeness through love. We
abide in Christ through love, just as He abides in his Father through love.
Holiness is likeness to Christ that touches the mystery of his union with the
Father in the Holy Spirit; his union with the Father through love....From their
earliest years. Father Raphael and Brother Albert understood this truth: that
love consists of giving one's soul; that in love one has to give one's self; in
fact, as Christ said to the Apostles, one must 'give one's life'....Father
Raphael wrote to his sister: 'God gave Himself completely for us, and we must
sacrifice ourselves to God.'"
IX. CONCLUSION
To try and comprehend the
core of Father Raphael's sanctity throughout his varied life in the world, in
the hard Siberian years and in the Carmelite Order, we have some quotations in
his own words. He continually reminded his religious: "In Carmel our
principal duty is to converse with God in all our actions." He stressed
continual communion with God. Another facet of his spirituality which he
emphasized to the friars and nuns was intimacy with Our Lady whom he loved as
"mother and foundress of the Order; whom one always needs to keep in mind.
For Carmelite friars and nuns, it is of capital importance to honor the Most
Blessed Virgin. And we love her if we endeavor to imitate her virtue,
especially humility and recollection in prayer. Our gaze ought to be constantly
turned to her, our affections directed to her, ever keeping in mind the
remembrance of her benefits and trying always to be faithful to her." He
wrote several booklets on Our Lady: Mary Always and in Everything, Cracow 1901;
and The Cult of the Mother of God in the Polish Carmel, Leopoli-Warsaw 1905.
What a rich and varied
life - a role model for people living in the world as well as those who have
embraced the religious life. Father Raphael was a student, soldier engineer,
tutor and priest. He was prisoner, exile and a shining patriot. In truth, he
also could be called a martyr because of his acceptance of leadership in a
Polish rebellion he knew was doomed to failure, and his almost certain death
sentence for participating. His late vocation is an example and inspiration to
souls who have found their worldly careers empty and unsatisfying for their
inner needs.
Throughout his
adventurous career runs the constant theme of increasing spiritual hunger
accompanied by feelings of restlessness and isolation in whatever vocation he
was pursuing. The blazing patriotism and deep faith of the Polish people is
paramount in his soul which finally found its home in Carmel where he displayed
his great love of Our Lady, his keen intellect and his organizational abilities
to the fullest.
One wonders at Father
Raphael's strength of soul especially during the terrible years of his exile
followed by a totally different environment - the luxurious surroundings
befitting the tutor of a young prince in Paris. Temptations also must have been
many and acute for him as a young intellectual student in St. Petersberg.
X. BIBLIOGRAPHY
1. Please refer to the
OCDS Rule of Life, Decree, Foreword, and Articles 2, 4, 5 and 8.
St. Raphael Kalinowski
St. Raphael Kalinowski
had a brilliant mind and a faithful heart that he used to spread the faith in
Poland at the end of the 1800s. He survived ten years in a labor camp in
Siberia before becoming a Carmelite priest.
He was born in 1835 to a noble family in Vilnius—his father taught mathematics
and served as superintendent of the local boarding school for nobles. Raphael
attended this school and graduated with honors in 1850.
Opportunities for further education were limited, so Raphael joined the Russian
army that he might study at an engineering academy. He later was assigned as
professor of mathematics at the academy, and helped to design
railroads.
He was promoted to captain, but his heart was with the oppressed Poles of his
homeland. He resigned from the army and joined resistance efforts, helping to
lead a major uprising. He was captured and sentenced to die by firing squad.
When his family intervened, Russian authorities feared that if they killed him,
he would inspire more trouble as a political martyr. They sentenced him to ten
years in a Siberian labor camp instead.
Over the course of nine months, he was forcibly marched to a labor camp in
Siberia—many did not survive the journey, but Raphael had a hidden strength,
and became a leader to other prisoners. He labored in salt mines there for ten
years.
After his release, he returned to Poland, and became a tutor to the
young prince, August Czartoryski. The prince suffered from tuberculosis, and
Raphael accompanied him as he sought medical treatment and favorable climates;
he had a profound influence on the young man’s life. The prince eventually
became a priest and was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 2004.
Throughout his travels, Raphael became aware of the Russian persecution of the
Church and of the people of his homeland. He entered a community of Carmelites
in 1877 and was ordained a priest five years later. His leadership skills were
recognized, and he was named superior of the community. He went on to found a
number of new monasteries throughout Poland.
Raphael died of tuberculosis at the age of 72 in Wadowice, Poland—the same town
in which Pope John Paul II was born in 14 years later. His tomb became a place
of pilgrimage—so many people would take handfuls of dirt from his grave that
the nuns who oversaw the cemetery had to continually replace the earth and
plants there.
Pope John Paul II counted Raphael as one of his boyhood heroes, and
canonized him a saint in 1991—the first member of this Carmelite community to
be named a saint since its founder, St.
John of the Cross. His image is used here with permission from
Catholic.org.
St. Raphael Kalinowski, you were the hero of Pope John Paul II who survived a
Siberian labor camp to spread the faith in Poland—pray for us!
Copyright © 2020 University
of Notre Dame Sign
up for the Daily Gospel Reflection
Notre Dame, IN 46556
Phone: 574-631-6000 faith@nd.edu
Saint Raphael Kalinowski church, Nemėžis, Vilnius district, Lithuania
St. Raphael Kalinowski
Feast day: November 19
Saint Raphael was
born in 1835 as Joseph, son of Andrew and Josepha Kalinowski in present
day Lithuania. Saint Raphael felt a call to the priesthood early in his life,
but decided to complete his education. He studied zoology, chemistry,
agriculture, and apiculture at the Institute of Agronomy in Hory Horki, Russia,
and at the Academy of Military Engineering in Saint Petersburg, Russia.
Saint Raphael became a
Lieutenant in the Russian Military Engineering Corps in 1857. During his post
he was responsible for the planning and supervised construction of the railway
between Kursk and Odessa. He was promoted to captain in 1862 and stationed in
Brest-Litovsk. In Bret-Litovsk he started, taught, and covered all the costs of
a Sunday school, accepting anyone interested.
In 1863 he supported the
Polish insurrection. He resigned from the Russian army and became the
rebellion's minister of war for the Vilna region. He only took the commission
with the understanding that he would never hand out a death sentence nor
execute a prisoner. He was soon arrested by Russian authorities, and in June of
1864 he was condemned to death for his part in the revolt. Fearing they would
be creating a political martyr, they commuted his sentence to ten years of
forced labour in the Siberian salt mines. Part of his sentence was spent in
Irkutsk, where his relics have been moved to sanctify the new cathedral.
Upon his release in 1873,
he was exiled from his home region in Lithuania. He moved to Paris, France, and
worked there as a tutor for three years. In 1877 he finally answered the
long-heard call to the religious life, and joined the Carmelite Order at Graz,
Austria, taking the name Raphael. He studied theology in Hungary and then
joined the Carmelite house in Czama, Poland. He was ordained on January 15,
1882.
Saint Raphael worked to
restore the Discalced Carmelites to Poland, and for church unity. He founded a
convent at Wadowice, Poland in 1889, and worked alongside Blessed Alphonsus
Mary Marurek. He was a noted spiritual director for both Catholics and
Orthodox. He was considered an enthusiastic parish priest and spent
countless hours with his parishioners in the confessional. Saint Raphael died
in 1907 and was canonized by Pope John Paul II in 1991.
Source:
Catholic-forum.com
SOURCE : https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/saint/st-raphael-kalinowski-58
Kościół
Świętego Rafała Kalinowskiego w Częstochowie, wybudowany w latach 1999-2010.
San Raffaele di San
Giuseppe (Josef Kalinowski)
Vilna (Lituania), 1
settembre 1835 - Wadowice (Polonia), 15 novembre 1907
Nato a Vilnius, in
Lituania, nel 1835, Josef Kalinowski è ingegnere militare e capitano di Stato
maggiore. Lavora a ferrovie e fortezze. Partecipa, sia pur controvoglia, alla
rivolta polacco-lituana contro i russi. Conosce per questo i lavori forzati in
Siberia, dove porta con sé il Vangelo, l'«Imitazione di Cristo» e un crocifisso,
beneficando chi incontra. Liberato, entra quarantaduenne nel Carmelo di Graz.
Divenuto fra' Raffaele di San Giuseppe, va in Polonia, a Czerna dove passa le
sue giornate esercitando per ore e ore il ministero della Confessione. Vorrebbe
restare lì, ma il suo ordine lo chiamo a fondare nuove comunità nel Paese.
L'ultima la fonderà a Wadowice, dove morirà nel 1907. E proprio qui, tredici
anni più tardi, nascerà Karol Wojtyla, che proprio grazie all'eredità di
Kalinowski scoprirà l'universo carmelitano, cui resterà sempre molto legato. E
sarà proprio lui, divenuto Papa, a canonizzarlo nel 1991. (Avvenire)
Martirologio
Romano: Presso Wadowice in Polonia, san Raffaele di San Giuseppe
(Giuseppe) Kalinowski, sacerdote, che, durante un’insurrezione popolare contro
gli oppressori, fu catturato nel corso della guerra dai nemici e deportato in
Siberia, dove patì molte tribolazioni, e, dopo essere stato liberato, entrò
nell’Ordine dei Carmelitani Scalzi, a cui diede grande impulso.
Ingegnere militare a 25
anni, capitano di Stato Maggiore a 28, lavora alla grande ferrovia
Kursk-Kiev-Odessa e poi alla fortezza di Brest-Litowsk. Si è laureato a
Pietroburgo perché in Lituania e Polonia i dominatori russi hanno soppresso gli
studi universitari. E poi è diventato ufficiale dello zar. Figlio di un
professore di matematica, battezzato col nome di Giuseppe, in gioventù ha
tralasciato la pratica religiosa, e vi è poi tornato sull’esempio di un
disegnatore, suo compatriota e aiutante nella ferrovia.
Anno 1863: nuova rivolta
polacco-lituana contro i russi. Lui non condivide: c’è troppa sproporzione,
l’insurrezione fallirà. Ma non si sente di restarne fuori, perciò si congeda
dall’esercito russo e si unisce agli insorti lituani, che lo nominano loro ministro
della guerra. Nomina accettata, ma a un patto: lui non firmerà mai condanne a
morte. E nel 1864, schiacciata la rivolta, i russi condannano a morte lui. Non
osando tuttavia fucilarlo, perché è troppo popolare, lo mandano ai lavori
forzati in Siberia: carcere e miniera, fame e freddo. Lui porta con sé il
Vangelo, l’Imitazione di Cristo e un crocifisso. Ai suoi scrive: "Possono
togliermi tutto, ma non la preghiera". Prega, soccorre malati, fa scuola
ai più giovani, diffonde speranza. Quando lo dispensano dai lavori forzati, si
rimette a studiare, e nel 1873 può tornare infine in Polonia. Per tre anni fa
poi da precettore del giovane principe polacco Augusto Czartoryski
accompagnandolo nei soggiorni di studio e di cura.
Novembre 1877:
l’ingegnere e capitano Giuseppe Kalinowski diventa novizio carmelitano a Graz
(Austria) col nome di fra Raffaele di San Giuseppe. Novizio a 42 anni,
sacerdote a 47, vorrebbe terminare la vita a Czerna, nell’unico convento
polacco dell’Ordine, appartato nello studio e nella preghiera. Tanto più che
non è gran predicatore da mandare qua e là. Ma viene gente da lui, sempre più
gente lì a Czerna, perché padre Raffaele è una rivelazione come confessore,
impegnato per ore e ore con i penitenti; anche le prostitute vanno a confessarsi
da lui. Ma l’Ordine lo chiama a fondare nuove comunità (due a Cracovia, una a
Przemysl, una a Leopoli in Ucraina), e a orientarne altre. Così lui si rimette
in cammino con autorità crescente e con energie declinanti; ma sempre con la
"gioiosa accettazione della sofferenza" che tanto spesso raccomanda.
La tappa finale è
Wadowice, dove con il generale dell’Ordine, padre Gotti, ha creato già nel 1892
il florido vivaio carmelitano detto “Collina di san Giuseppe”. Da qui, nel 1936
i suoi resti ritorneranno a Czerna. Giovanni Paolo II lo proclamerà santo nel
1991.
La Chiesa lo ricorda il
15 Novembre, mentre i Carmelitani Scalzi ne fanno memoria il 19 Novembre.
Autore: Domenico
Agasso
SOURCE : http://www.santiebeati.it/Detailed/90049.html
Gdańsk
Złota Karczma, ul. Złota Karczma 24 - kościół parafialny św. Rafała
Kalinowskiego.
PELLEGRINAGGIO
APOSTOLICO IN POLONIA
SOLENNE BEATIFICAZIONE DI
PADRE RAFFAELE KALINOWSKI
E DI FRATEL ALBERTO
CHMIELOWSKI
OMELIA DI GIOVANNI PAOLO
II
Cracovia, 22 giugno 1983
“Il Signore è il mio
pastore…” (Sal 23, 1).
1. Miei diletti
connazionali! Desidero oggi, insieme con voi, rendere gloria al Signore, che è
il nostro Pastore: è il Buon Pastore del suo gregge. L’ha detto lui stesso di
sé nel Vangelo. Ce lo dice anche il Salmo dell’odierna liturgia.
Desidero dunque oggi, nel
giorno conclusivo del mio pellegrinaggio in Patria, professare insieme con voi
la verità sul Buon Pastore sullo sfondo del Giubileo di Jasna Gora. I sei
secoli della mirabile presenza della Genitrice di Dio in quest’Effigie che tutti
ci unisce e lega spiritualmente, non sono opera del Buon Pastore? Sappiamo
infatti che lui si adopera soprattutto per conservare l’unione del suo gregge.
Si dà da fare, affinché nessuno perisca, ed egli stesso cerca la pecora
smarrita.
Diamo testimonianza a ciò
mediante l’Anno della Redenzione in tutta la Chiesa. E in terra polacca, dove
continua ancora il Giubileo di Jasna Gora, poniamo la domanda: non compie
Cristo, il Buon Pastore, tutta la sua opera per una particolare mediazione
della sua Madre? Della nostra Signora di Jasna Gora?
Il salmista dice del Buon
Pastore: “…mi fa riposare, / ad acque tranquille mi conduce: / mi rinfranca…”
(Sal 23, 2-3).
Non è a Jasna Gora per
noi un tale posto, dove possiamo riposare? dove le nostre anime si rinfrancano?
Non è esso simile alla sorgente d’acqua viva, dalla quale attingiamo da
generazioni? Attingiamo dalle inesauribili risorse della Redenzione di Cristo, alla
quale ci avvicina Maria!
2. Nel giorno conclusivo
del mio pellegrinaggio, unito con il Giubileo di Jasna Gora, desidero qui, a
Cracovia, insieme con voi, miei cari connazionali, esprimere il mirabile
mistero della presenza del Buon Pastore in mezzo a tutte le generazioni, che
sono passate attraverso la terra polacca e qui, a Cracovia, hanno lasciato una
particolare espressione della loro identità polacca e cristiana.
Proprio per questo è così
cara e preziosa questa Cracovia. E c’è tanto bisogno di impegnarsi perché non
se ne sciupi la sostanza storica, nella quale la nostra Nazione legge, in
misura rilevante, non solo il proprio passato, ma semplicemente la propria
identità. Di ciò ho parlato quattro anni fa, quando abbiamo celebrato a
Cracovia i nove secoli di san Stanislao. Oggi desidero ritornare a questa
“cresima della storia”, che perdura e si sviluppa di generazione in
generazione. A questa “cresima” che possiede un particolare significato per i
polacchi dell’anno 1983, per voi, amati fratelli e sorelle, miei connazionali!
3. Vi do il benvenuto e
vi saluto di tutto cuore nello stesso Blonia (Krakowskie), come quattro anni
fa, nella prospettiva di Wawel e di Skalka, nella prospettiva di “Kopiec
Kosciuszki”, e dall’altra parte delle torri della Chiesa mariana e del
municipio e dell’Università. La mia Cracovia Saluto il mio successore,
Metropolita di Cracovia, il Cardinale Franciszek, i miei fratelli
nell’Episcopato: Julian, Jan, Stanislaw, Albin, con i quali mi hanno unito gli
anni del comune servizio nell’arcidiocesi di Cracovia. Do il benvenuto e saluto
cordialmente i Vescovi della Metropoli di Cracovia, di Czestochowa, da
Katowice, da Kielce, da Tarnów. Do il benvenuto al Cardinale Primate della
Polonia, al Cardinale Wladislaw Rubin, a tutti i presenti rappresentanti
dell’Episcopato della Polonia.
Saluto di tutto cuore i
nostri ospiti dal di là della Polonia: il Cardinale Krol di Filadelfia, il
Cardinale Ballestrero da Torino, il Cardinale Meisner da Berlino, e anche il
Cardinale Casaroli, Segretario di Stato, che mi accompagna in questo viaggio, e
tutti i Vescovi provenienti da fuori la Polonia.
Saluto cordialmente tutti
i nostri ospiti dalla Polonia e dall’estero: il Cardinale Ballestrero, il
Cardinale Lustiger e altri.
Saluto il Capitolo
metropolitano e tutto il clero dell’arcidiocesi: i miei fratelli nel
sacerdozio, ai quali appartengo con gli ordini e col cuore, conservando e
approfondendo in me consapevolmente i legami di questa appartenenza. Sono
legato con questo Seminario ecclesiastico, nel quale mi sono preparato al
sacerdozio, come pure con questa Facoltà di teologia, nella quale ho studiato,
parzialmente durante la clandestinità del periodo dell’occupazione. Oggi saluto
con particolare cordialità la Pontificia accademia di teologia, che porta in sé
l’eredità dell’Ateneo, legato al grande nome della beata regina Edvige.
Oltre al clero
dell’arcidiocesi di Cracovia do il benvenuto e saluto anche tutti i sacerdoti
sia della provincia ecclesiale di Cracovia, sia di tutta la Polonia.
Con i rappresentanti
delle Famiglie religiose, maschili e femminili, mi congratulo in modo
particolare per questo giorno.
4. Ecco, infatti, mi è
dato di compiere oggi un servizio particolare: l’elevazione agli altari di
Servi di Dio mediante la beatificazione.
Normalmente questo tipo
di servizio viene compiuto a Roma. Tuttavia, già in tempi lontani, esso veniva
compiuto anche fuori Roma. Sappiamo, per esempio, che san Stanislao fu
canonizzato ad Assisi. A me stesso è stato già dato di compiere beatificazioni
a Manila, durante la visita pastorale nelle Filippine, e in Spagna, a Siviglia,
nel novembre dello scorso anno.
Ho tanto desiderato che
il mio pellegrinaggio in Patria, in relazione col Giubileo di Jasna Gora,
diventasse anche particolare occasione per elevare sugli altari dei Servi di
Dio, la cui via alla Santità è legata a questa terra e a questa Nazione, nella
quale regna la Signora di Jasna Gora. La loro beatificazione è una speciale
festa della Chiesa in Polonia: dell’intero Popolo di Dio, che costituisce questa
Chiesa. La Chiesa, infatti, come ha ricordato il Concilio Vaticano II, deve
rammentare costantemente a tutti la vocazione alla santità e deve anche
condurre a questa santità i suoi figli e le sue figlie.
Quando questa santità
viene affermata in modo solenne mediante la beatificazione, e specialmente la
canonizzazione, la Chiesa giubila di una gioia speciale. Questa è in un certo
qual senso la massima gioia, che essa possa provare nella sua peregrinazione
terrena.
Oggi dunque la Chiesa in
terra polacca gioisce, lodando l’Eterno Pastore per l’opera di santità, che ha
compiuto mediante lo Spirito Santo nei Servi di Dio: Padre Raffaele Kalinowski,
e Fra Alberto (Adam) Chmielowski.
Alla letizia dell’odierna
beatificazione prende parte l’intera Chiesa di Polonia. In modo particolare
questa è la gioia della famiglia carmelitana, non soltanto in Polonia, alla
quale apparteneva il Padre Raffaele, e della Famiglia francescana, specialmente
di quella albertina, della quale Fra Alberto è stato il fondatore.
Desidero aggiungere che
questa è anche una mia gioia particolare, perché ambedue queste meravigliose
figure mi sono sempre state molto vicine spiritualmente. Mi hanno sempre
indicato la via a quella santità, che è la vocazione di ognuno in Gesù Cristo.
5. Dice il Signore Gesù:
“Come il Padre ha amato me, così anch’io ho amato voi. Rimanete nel mio amore”
(Gv 15, 9).
Ecco due discepoli del
Divino Maestro, che hanno scoperto pienamente, sulle strade del loro
pellegrinaggio terreno, l’amore di Cristo, e che hanno perseverato in questo
amore!
La santità infatti
consiste nell’amore. Si basa sul comandamento dell’amore. Dice Cristo: “Questo
è il mio comandamento: che vi amiate gli uni gli altri, come io vi ho amati”
(Gv 15, 12). E dice ancora: “Se osserverete i miei comandamenti rimarrete
nel mio amore, come io ho osservato i comandamenti del Padre mio e rimango nel
suo amore” (Gv 15, 10).
La santità è dunque una
particolare somiglianza a Cristo. È una somiglianza mediante l’amore. Mediante
l’amore rimaniamo in Cristo, così come lui stesso mediante l’amore rimane nel
Padre. La santità è la somiglianza a Cristo che raggiunge il mistero della sua
unione con il Padre nello Spirito Santo: la sua unione con il Padre mediante
l’amore.
L’amore è il primo ed
eterno contenuto del comandamento, che proviene dal Padre. Cristo dice che lui
stesso “osserva” questo comandamento. È anche lui a darci questo comandamento,
in cui è racchiuso tutto il contenuto essenziale della nostra somiglianza a Dio
in Cristo.
Il Padre Raffaele e Fra
Alberto hanno raggiunto nella loro vita quelle vette della santità, che la
Chiesa oggi conferma, sulla via dell’amore. Non vi è un’altra strada che
conduca a queste vette. Oggi Cristo dice loro: “Voi siete miei amici”;
(Gv 15, 14) “Vi ho chiamati amici, perché tutto ciò che ho udito dal Padre
l’ho fatto conoscere a voi” (Gv 15, 15).
Questo “tutto ciò” si
riassume nel comandamento dell’amore.
6. “Nessuno ha un amore
più grande di questo: dare la vita per i propri amici” (Gv 15, 13). Padre
Raffaele e Fra Alberto, sin dai primi anni della loro vita, capirono questa
verità: che l’amore consiste nel dare l’anima; che amando bisogna dare se
stessi, anzi, bisogna “dare la vita”, così come dice Cristo agli Apostoli.
Questo dare la vita per i
propri amici, per i connazionali, si è manifestato anche nel 1863 mediante la
loro partecipazione all’insurrezione. Józef Kalinowski aveva allora
28 anni, era ingegnere e aveva il grado di ufficiale nell’esercito dello zar.
Adam Chmielowski contava allora 17 anni, era studente dell’istituto agrario e
forestale a Pulawy. Ambedue erano spinti da un eroico amore per la Patria. Per
avere partecipato all’insurrezione, Kalinowski pagò con la deportazione in
Siberia: la pena di morte gli fu commutata in “Siberia”; Chmielowski pagò con
la mutilazione.
Abbiamo ricordato ambedue
queste figure nel 1963, nel centenario dell’insurrezione di gennaio,
radunandoci davanti alla chiesa dei Padri Carmelitani Scalzi, come testimonia
la lapide li posta. L’insurrezione di gennaio fu per Józef Kalinowski e Adam Chmielowski
una tappa sulla via verso la santità, che è l’eroismo di tutta la vita.
7. La Provvidenza Divina
condusse ciascuno di loro sulla propria strada. Józef Kalinowski, prima di
entrare nel noviziato dei Carmelitani, dopo il ritorno dalla Siberia, fu professore
di August Czartoryski, uno dei primi salesiani, il quale è anche lui candidato
agli altari. Adam Chmielowski studiò pittura e per diversi anni si dedicò
all’attività artistica, prima di incamminarsi sulla via della vocazione che,
dopo i primi tentativi nella Compagnia di Gesù, lo condusse nelle file del
Terz’Ordine Francescano, da dove prese il suo inizio la vocazione albertina.
Ognuno di loro, sulla
propria strada, continuò a realizzare queste parole del Redentore e Maestro:
“Nessuno ha un amore più grande di questo: dare la vita . . .”. Padre Raffaele
ha dato questa vita in un severo convento carmelitano, servendo fino alla fine,
in modo particolare nel confessionale, e i suoi contemporanei lo hanno chiamato
“martire del confessionale”. Fra Alberto la donò nel servizio dei più poveri e
dei socialmente diseredati. L’uno e l’altro hanno dato fino in fondo la propria
vita a Cristo.
L’uno e l’altro hanno
ritrovato in lui la pienezza della conoscenza, dell’amore e del servizio. L’uno
e l’altro hanno potuto ripetere, con san Paolo: “Tutto ormai io reputo una
perdita di fronte alla sublimità della conoscenza di Cristo Gesù, mio Signore, per
il quale ho lasciato perdere tutte queste cose . . .” (Fil 3, 8).
Padre Raffaele e Fra
Alberto danno testimonianza di questo mirabile mistero evangelico della
“kenosi”, del distacco, della spogliazione, che apre la porta alla pienezza
dell’amore. Egli Raffaele scrisse alla sua sorella: “Dio si è dato tutto per
noi, come noi dobbiamo sacrificarci a Dio” (P. Raffaele
Kalinowski, Lettera del 1° luglio 1866 alla famiglia).
E Fra Alberto confessò:
“Guardo Gesù nella sua Eucaristia, il suo amore ha potuto provvedere qualche
cosa di più bello? Se egli è pane anche noi diventiamo pane . . . doniamo noi
stessi” (W. Kluz, Adam Chmielowski, p. 199).
In questo modo ciascuno
di loro ha guadagnato Cristo e ha trovato in lui . . . giustizia che deriva da
Dio . . . “Con la speranza che, diventandogli conforme nella morte, giungerà
alla Risurrezione dai morti (cf. Fil 3, 8. 9. 10-11).
Con questa speranza Padre
Raffaele chiuse la sua vita tra le mura del convento carmelitano a Wadowice,
mia città natale, nel 1907; Fra Alberto nel suo “ricovero di mendicità” a
Cracovia nel 1916.
Alla soglia del nostro
secolo, alla vigilia dell’indipendenza riacquistata dalla Polonia, hanno
concluso la propria vita questi due grandi figli della terra polacca, ai quali
fu dato di tracciare le vie della santità ai loro contemporanei e, insieme,
alle generazioni future.
8. Il Giubileo di Jasna
Gora nella nostra Patria è coinciso con l’Anno della Redenzione e in esso si è
fuso sin dal 25 marzo di quest’anno.
Il Giubileo straordinario
della Redenzione indirizza tutti noi verso quel primo amore, con il quale Dio
Padre “ha tanto amato il mondo da dare il suo Figlio unigenito, perché chiunque
crede in lui non muoia, ma abbia la vita eterna” (Gv 3, 16). Di
quest’amore Cristo dice nell’odierno Vangelo: “Come il Padre ha amato me, così
anch’io ho amato voi. Rimanete nel mio amore”.
L’Anno della Redenzione
ha per scopo di ravvivare specialmente questo “rimanere nell’amore” del
Redentore. Per attingere da questo amore e, in questo modo, per approfondire e
rinnovare il proprio amore cercando le vie della conversione e della
riconciliazione con Dio in Gesù Cristo.
Questo particolare lavoro
della Chiesa nell’Anno della Redenzione è unito alla realtà della Comunione dei
Santi. Nei Santi, infatti, si è dimostrata e costantemente si dimostra
l’inesauribile forza della Redenzione di Cristo. È per la forza della
Redenzione che essi hanno raggiunto questa particolare partecipazione alla
santità di Dio, che è la meta e la gioia della Chiesa. A loro volta, i Santi ci
aiutano ad avvicinarci alla Redenzione di Cristo, in un certo qual modo
condividono con noi la loro beata partecipazione a questa forza salvifica.
Un Anno Santo è sempre,
nella vita della Chiesa, una particolare occasione per ravvivare la mediazione
dei Santi. Prima di tutto della Santissima Madre di Cristo, e di tutti i Santi.
Perciò ringrazio in modo
speciale la Trinità Santissima perché mi è stato dato durante il mio
pellegrinaggio in Polonia, in occasione del Giubileo di Jasna Gora, di ampliare
in un certo senso in modo visibile questa nostra cerchia patria della Comunione
dei Santi:
- san Massimiliano Maria
Kolbe;
- beato Raffaele
Kalinowski;
- beato Alberto
Chmielowski (Fra Alberto);
- beata Orsola
Ledóchowska.
9. “Venimus. Vidimus.
Deus vicit” (Siamo giunti. Abbiamo visto. Dio ha vinto)! Qui a Cracovia, a
Wawel, riposa il re che pronunciò queste parole: Giovanni III Sobieski. Le ho
ricordate all’inizio del mio pellegrinaggio, a Varsavia. Oggi, ancora una
volta, vi ritorno sopra. E vi torno perché sono i Santi e i Beati a mostrarci
la via alla vittoria, che Dio riporta nella storia dell’uomo.
Desidero, pertanto,
ancora una volta, ripetere (come ho già detto a Varsavia), che in Gesù Cristo
l’uomo è chiamato alla vittoria: a quella vittoria che riportarono il Padre
Massimiliano e Fra Alberto, il Padre Raffaele e la Madre Orsola, in grado
eroico.
Tuttavia, a una tale
vittoria è chiamato ogni uomo. Ed è chiamato ogni polacco che fissa lo sguardo
negli esempi dei suoi Santi e Beati. La loro elevazione agli altari in terra
natale è il segno di questa forza, che è più potente di ogni debolezza umana e
di ogni situazione, anche la più difficile, non esclusa la prepotenza. Vi
chiedo di chiamare per nome queste debolezze, questi peccati, questi vizi,
queste situazioni. Di combatterle costantemente. Di non permettere di essere
ingoiati dall’onda di immoralità e di indifferenza e di non cadere nella
prostrazione spirituale. Perciò guardate continuamente negli occhi del Buon
Pastore: “Se dovessi camminare in una valle oscura, / non temerei alcun male,
perché tu sei con me” (Sal 23, 4). Così afferma il Salmo responsoriale
dell’odierna liturgia.
10. Quattro anni fa qui,
nello stesso “Blonia Krakowskie”, ricordai quella “cresima della storia” legata
alla tradizione di san Stanislao, patrono della Polonia.
Desidero ripetere oggi le
parole che pronunciai allora: “Dovete essere forti di quella forza che
scaturisce dalla fede! Dovete essere forti della forza della fede! Dovete
essere fedeli! Oggi più che in qualsiasi altra epoca avete bisogno di questa
forza. Dovete essere forti della forza della speranza che porta la perfetta
gioia di vivere e non permette di rattristare lo Spirito Santo! Dovete essere
forti dell’amore, che è più forte della morte . . . tutto crede, tutto spera,
tutto sopporta, quell’amore che non avrà mai fine (1 Cor 13, 4-8)”.
Di questa fede, speranza
e carità furono forti Massimiliano, Raffaele, Orsola e Alberto, figli di questa
Nazione. Essi pure sono stati dati a questa Nazione come segno di vittoria. La
Nazione infatti, come una particolare comunità di uomini, è anche chiamata alla
vittoria, con la forza della fede, della speranza e della carità, con la forza
della verità, della libertà e della giustizia.
Gesù Cristo! Pastore
degli uomini e dei popoli! Nel nome della tua Santissima Madre, per il suo
Giubileo di Jasna Gora, ti chiedo una tale vittoria!
Gesù Cristo! Buon
Pastore! Ti raccomando il difficile “oggi e il domani” della mia Nazione: ti
raccomando il suo futuro!
11. “Se dovessi camminare
in una valle oscura, / non temerei alcun male, perché tu sei con me”. Tu, per
mezzo della tua Madre. Amen.
Il Signore è il mio
pastore . . . Il Signore è il nostro pastore!
Amen.
Prima della benedizione,
il Papa si è ancora rivolto ai fedeli:
Alla fine del mio
pellegrinaggio per il Giubileo di Jasna Gora, pellegrinaggio che per volontà
della Provvidenza si svolge nell’Anno Santo della Redenzione, mi è stato dato,
per la seconda volta, di decorare con il diadema regale la statua della Madonna
dolorosa, celebre Pietà di Limanowa, della diocesi di Tarnow.
Con particolare
commozione guardo oggi questa statua, celebre per le sue grazie, tanto
conosciuta e venerata nei Beskidi Wyspowe, in tutta la diocesi di Tarnów e
molto oltre i confini. E io pongo queste corone sul capo del Redentore del
mondo e su quello di sua Madre nel momento del suo più grande dolore e
contemporaneamente della sua più piena collaborazione e partecipazione
nell’opera redentrice di suo Figlio, nel momento in cui ella regge sul suo
grembo materno le spoglie di Cristo poco dopo che nella persona di san Giovanni
tutti le sono stati affidati come figli e figlie ed ella è stata data loro come
Madre. Ci uniamo nella nostra gioia con tutta la Chiesa di Tarnów, con il suo
pastore, Vescovo Jerzy, con i suoi collaboratori nell’Episcopato, con tutti i
pellegrini e con tutta la comunità diocesana.
Alla Madre incoronata
diciamo: “Sotto questo segno difenderemo la fede dei nostri padri”, ma in più
la preghiamo di salvaguardare la nostra fede e quella delle nuove generazioni
affinché noi, trasferiti al Regno dell’amatissimo Figlio, vi accediamo e
rimaniamo e riceviamo la Redenzione e la remissione dei peccati, affinché
niente riesca a spegnere in noi questa fede.
Chiediamo al Pastore
della Chiesa di Tarnów e a tutti i pellegrini di questa diocesi di diffondere
il nostro saluto e l’unione eucaristica nel Cristo in questa solenne adunanza
eucaristica sul Blonia di Cracovia, il giorno in cui il Beato Padre Raffaele e
il Beato Fra Alberto hanno ricevuto la gloria.
Cari fratelli e sorelle!
L’Eucaristia non ha frontiere, e noi celebrandola oggi qui, sui Blonia di
Cracovia, in questa forma solenne, la celebriamo in unione con tutta la Chiesa.
Tutti i segni di questa unione, così come li ho elencati alla fine, nella
dimensione geografica, sono per noi particolarmente eloquenti e cari.
L’Eucaristia non ha frontiere.
Abbraccia l’uomo in tutte
le dimensioni della sua esistenza e della sua vocazione. Questa è l’Eucaristia,
la specie del pane, un pezzetto di pane che accogliamo nella nostra bocca, nel
nostro organismo, nel nostro cuore. In questo cuore si incontrano la piccolezza
dell’Eucaristia, l’umiltà dell’Eucaristia, il marchio della distruzione di
Cristo con la sua non limitabile grandezza.
Vorrei che quelli che non
hanno potuto partecipare alla nostra grande adunanza di beatificazione
ricevessero i frutti di questa Eucaristia in modo particolare. Mi riferisco ai
malati, alle persone prive di libertà, a tutti gli assenti che sono chiamati
dal nostro amore e che tramite il nostro amore sono particolarmente presenti,
poiché l’Eucaristia non ha frontiere. Cristo segue l’uomo dovunque egli vada,
in tutti i posti dove egli è condotto.
Cristo segue l’uomo
poiché è un Buon Pastore. Ancora una volta affido a questo Pastore, Pastore
Eterno, Pastore Buono, la nostra comunità sul Blonie di Cracovia. Gli affido la
Chiesa di Cracovia, la Chiesa nella Patria, la mia Patria, gli affido la Chiesa
di tutte le parti del mondo. Affido al Buon Pastore la Chiesa nella mia Patria
tramite la Madre e la Regina di Jasna Gora.
Cari fratelli e sorelle,
vi ringrazio per la vostra partecipazione, per le profonde preghiere. Vi
ringrazio per l’unione con Cristo e per aver permesso a me, vostro fratello, di
essere ministro di questa unione con Cristo, in cui c’è la nostra speranza! Accogliete
adesso la benedizione.
© Copyright - Libreria
Editrice Vaticana
.JPG)
Warszawa,
Rembertów - Kościół św. Rafała Kalinowskiego w Warszawie
Raffaele Kalinowski, O.C.D. (1835-1907)
Padre Raffaele di San
Giuseppe Kalinowski, nacque a Vilna, il 1° settembre 1835, e al battesimo
ricevette il nome di Giuseppe. Sotto il magistero di suo padre Andrea,
all'Istituto dei Nobili a Vilna progredì in tal modo da conseguire la massima
distinzione negli studi. Frequentò poi per due anni (1851-1852) la scuola di
Agronomia a Hory-Horki. Negli anni 1853-1857 studiò all'Accademia del Genio
Militare di San Pietroburgo ottenendo il titolo d'ingegnere e il grado di
tenente. Subito dopo fu nominato assistente di matematica alla medesima
Accademia. Nel 1859 collaborò alla progettazione della ferrovia
Kursk-Kiev-Odessa.
Nel 1863, scoppiata
l'insurrezione in Polonia contro l'oppressore russo, si dimise dall'esercito
russo ed accettò l'incarico di Ministro della Guerra per la regione di Vilna.
Il 24 marzo 1864 fu arrestato e condannato a morte, pena che gli fu commutata
con i lavori forzati in Siberia per 10 anni. Con mirabile forza d'animo,
pazienza ed amore per i compagni di prigionia seppe infondere loro lo spirito
di preghiera, serenità e speranza con l'aiuto materiale, unitamente alla buona
parola.
Rimpatriato nel 1874,
accettò l'incarico di precettore del Venerabile Servo di Dio Augusto
Czartoryski, con residenza abituale a Parigi, e influì molto sulla sua
formazione sacerdotale e religiosa, in modo che il principino Augusto scoprì la
sua vera vocazione e nel 1887 entrò tra i Salesiani, ricevuto dallo stesso
fondatore S. Giovanni Bosco. Giuseppe Kalinowski invece nel 1877 entrò
nell'Ordine dei Carmelitani Scalzi a Graz, in Austria, e ricevette il nome
religioso di Fra Raffaele di San Giuseppe. Studiò teologia in Ungheria e
ricevette l'ordinazione sacerdotale, il 15 gennaio 1882, a Czerna presso
Cracovia.
Acceso da zelo
apostolico, non risparmiava fatiche per salvare i fedeli, ed aiutava i fratelli
e le sorelle carmelitane nell'ascesa al monte della perfezione.
Nel ministero della
riconciliazione sacramentale sollevò molti dal fango del peccato e si adoperò
nell'opera di riunificazione delle Chiese e lasciò questa missione come
testamento ai fratelli e sorelle carmelitane. Molti e gravi uffici gli furono
affidati dai superiori, che adempì perfettamente fino alla morte.
Consumato dalle fatiche e
sofferenze, venerato da tutto il popolo, rese l'anima a Dio il 15 novembre 1907
a Wadowice, nel convento da lui fondato. Fu sepolto nel cimitero del convento
di Czerna presso Cracovia.
Durante la vita e dopo la
morte godette di grandissima fama di santità, da parte anche di uomini
nobilissimi ed illustrissimi, come i cardinali Dunajewski, Puzyna, Kakowski,
Gotti. 1 Processi Ordinari istruiti nella Curia di Cracovia negli anni
1934-1938, furono portati a Roma, dove nel 1943 fu emanato il decreto sugli
scritti e la Causa fu introdotta nel 1952.
Negli anni 1953-1956 fu
istruito il Processo Apostolico e la Congregazione procedette alla discussione
sulle virtù.
11 Sommo Pontefice
Giovanni Paolo II, l'11 ottobre 1980, promulgò il decreto sull'eroicità delle
virtù. Dopo l'approvazione della miracolosa guarigione del rev. Mis, lo stesso
Pontefice, il 22 giugno 1983, beatificò il Padre Raffaele Kalinowski a
Cracovia.
Crescendo la fama dei
miracoli, nel 1989, nella Curia di Cracovia fu istruito il Processo canonico
sulla straordinaria guarigione di un bambino. Concluse felicemente le
discussioni dei medici, dei teologi e dei cardinali, il Sommo Pontefice
Giovanni Paolo II approvò il miracolo per la canonizzazione, il 10 luglio 1990.
Nel Concistoro del 26
novembre 1990 il Papa Giovanni Paolo Il, con i cardinali, decise di canonizzare
il Beato Raffaele Kalinowski ed ha disposto che la domenica 17 novembre 1991 la
cerimonia di Canonizzazione avesse luogo.
Giovanni Paolo II oggi lo
canonizza e lo presenta come modello a tutti i cristiani della Chiesa
universale.
SOURCE : http://www.vatican.va/news_services/liturgy/saints/ns_lit_doc_19911117_kalinowski_it.html
Voir aussi : https://www.elonka.com/family/saint/raphael.html
