Saint Raphael Kalinowski

Biography

Saint Raphael Kalinowski, also known as Joseph Kalinowski, Rafał Kalinowski, Raffael di San Giuseppe, Raphael Joseph Kalinowski, and Raphael of Saint Joseph, was born on September 1, 1835, in Vilna, Russian Poland (modern Vilnius, Lithuania). He was the son of Andrew Kalinowski, a prominent mathematics professor at the College of Nobility, and Josepha Poionska Kalinowski. Joseph felt a calling to the priesthood, but he decided to pursue his college education first. He studied at his father's school and later enrolled in the Institute of Agronomy in Hory Horki, Russia, where he focused on zoology, chemistry, agriculture, and apiculture. He continued his studies at the Academy of Military Engineering in Saint Petersburg, Russia. In 1857, Joseph joined the Russian Military Engineering Corps and served as a lieutenant. He was assigned the responsibility of planning and supervising the construction of the railway between Kursk and Odessa. Due to his dedication and competence, he was promoted to the rank of captain in 1862 and stationed in Brest-Litovsk. It was during his time in Brest-Litovsk that Joseph's life took a turn towards a higher calling. He started a Sunday school, teaching and financing it himself, and welcomed anyone interested in attending. In 1863, he supported the Polish insurrection and, as a result, resigned from the Russian army. He became the rebellion's minister of war for the Vilna region but agreed to take the position on the condition that he would never impose death sentences or execute prisoners. However, on March 25, 1864, he was arrested by Russian authorities for his involvement in the revolt. In June of the same year, he was initially sentenced to death, but the authorities feared that executing him would create a political martyr. As a result, his sentence was commuted to ten years of forced labor in the Siberian salt mines. He spent a part of his sentence in Irkutsk, where his relics have recently sanctified a new cathedral. Joseph was finally released in 1873, but he was exiled from his home region in Lithuania. He relocated to Paris, France, where he worked as a tutor for three years. However, his yearning for the religious life never ceased, and in 1877, he answered the call by joining the Carmelite Order at Graz, Austria. He took the name Raphael and went on to study theology in Hungary before joining the Carmelite house at Czama, Poland. On January 15, 1882, Raphael was ordained into the priesthood. He dedicated himself to restoring the Discalced Carmelites in Poland and worked tirelessly for church unity. He founded a convent at Wadowice, Poland, around 1889 and collaborated closely with Blessed Alphonsus Mary Marurek. Raphael was known for his role as a spiritual director for both Catholics and Orthodox believers, and he was also an enthusiastic parish priest. He spent countless hours in the confessional, accompanying and guiding his parishioners. Saint Raphael Kalinowski died on November 15, 1907, in Wadowice, Malopolskie, Poland, due to natural causes. He was venerated on October 11, 1980, by Pope John Paul II, who attributed heroic virtues to him. Saint Raphael was beatified on June 22, 1983, in Cracow, Poland, by Pope John Paul II and was finally canonized on November 17, 1991, by the same pope. Although Saint Raphael Kalinowski does not have a specific patronage, his life serves as an inspiration to all who strive to follow their calling, demonstrate selfless service, and work towards the unity of the Church.