An extraordinary Polish saint

Today’s Carmelite saint, Raphael of St Joseph Kalinowski (1835-1907) deserves to be much better known that he is in the UK.  A glance at his Wikipedia entry reveals a hugely varied life and a hugely active one.  At one time or another teacher, engineer, royal tutor, prisoner, and priest, he was also the founder of several Carmelite monasteries.  Fourteen years after he died in Wadowice, Pope St John Paul II was born in that same town.  Our Catholic Church in the UK has been blessed with increasing number of Polish members in recent years, and some of them are bringing their gifts to the Secular Carmelites.  In my Secular community one Polish lady made her final promises a few weeks ago and another one has just joined us.  The presence of this traditional Catholic nation in Europe is such a source of grace, and our church here in these islands is so in need of the inspiration they bring.

Intercessions:

Marie – cancer

Bernard – cancer, and wife Angela

Siena – infant with severe medical issues

Rosemarie – multiple afflictions