Albert Chmielowski

Saint Albert Chmielowski
Founder of the Albertines "Our God's Brother"
Born	August 20, 1845 Igołomia, Congress Poland, Russian Empire
Died	December 25, 1916(1916-12-25) (aged 71) Kraków, Austria-Hungary
Honored in	Roman Catholic Church
Beatified	June 22, 1983 by Pope John Paul II
Canonized	November 12, 1989, in Saint Peter's Square by Pope John Paul II
Feast	June 17

Albert Chmielowski (born Adam Hilary Bernard Chmielowski; 1845–1916) was a Polish religious brother and founder of the Albertines. He is a saint of the Catholic Church. Albert is also known as Brat Albert (Brother Albert); in recognition of his holiness, he has also been called the "Brother of Our Lord", "Brother of Our God", and "Our God's Brother".

Biography

Adam Chmielowski was born to a wealthy aristocratic family, and initially studied agriculture with the intention of managing the family estate. Involved in politics since his youth, he lost a leg at the age of 17 while fighting in an insurrection. He became a well-known and well-liked artist in Kraków, his political convictions inspiring his interest in the human condition. A gentle and compassionate spirit, Chmielowski felt compelled to help those in need and after years of reflection, decided to follow his calling into the service of God.

In 1880, Chmielowski joined the Jesuits, took up the name Albert and abandoned painting. He began a life of service to the poor. In 1887, he founded the Brothers of the Third Order of Saint Francis, Servants of the Poor, known in honor of their founder as the Albertines or the Gray Brothers, after their rough gray habits. In 1891, he founded the women's congregation, the Gray Sisters. The Albertines organized food and shelter for the poor and homeless.

Albert believed that the great calamity of our time is that so many refuse to see and relieve the suffering of others. The so-called "haves" live away from the "have-nots", ignoring them and leaving their care to society.

Veneration and canonization

Albert Chmielowski was beatified on June 22, 1983 in Kraków and canonized on November 12, 1989 by Pope John Paul II at Saint Peter's Square, Rome. His feast day is June 17.

In 1949, the future Pope John Paul II, [Karol Józef Wojtyła], wrote a play about Saint Albert, which was filmed in 1997, and released as Our God's Brother. Albert was the spiritual teacher of Servant of God Maria Jablonska.

References

Gallery

• 

  "Ecce Homo" by Adam Chmielowski (1881)

• 

  Portrait of Chmielowski by Aleksander Gierymski

• 

  Portrait of Chmielowski by Leon Wyczółkowski (1934)

External links

• Albert Chmielowski from Patron Saint Index
• St Brother Albert's biography

Persondata
Name	Chmielowski, Adam
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	August 20, 1845
Place of birth	Igołomia
Date of death	December 25, 1916
Place of death	Kraków