Saint Zygmunt Szcesny Felinski

Biography

Saint Zygmunt Szcesny Felinski, also known as Sigimondo Felice Felinski, Sigismond Felix Felinski, Sigismondo Felice Felinski, Sigmund Felix Felinski, Zygmunt Szczesny Felinski, and Zygmunt Szczêsny Feliñski, was born on November 1, 1822, in Voyutin (Wojutyn), Poland (modern-day Ukraine). He came from a proud Polish family, being the third of six children of Gerard Felinski and Eva Wendorff. Unfortunately, two of his siblings died in their infancy, and his father passed away when Sigimondo was just 11 years old. His mother, known for her pro-Polish politics and efforts to improve the economic conditions of farmers, was arrested in 1838 and subsequently exiled to Siberia. Sigimondo's educational journey began with studying mathematics at the University of Moscow from 1840 to 1844. Later, he pursued French literature at the Sorbonne and College de France in 1847. During his time in France, he became friends with Polish emigres, writers, and nationalists, and also participated in the failed Poznan revolt of 1848. From 1848 to 1850, Sigimondo worked as a tutor for the Brzozowski family in Munich, Germany, and Paris, France. However, his longing for a deeper spiritual calling led him to enter the diocesan seminary of Zytomierz, Poland, in 1851. He continued his studies at the Catholic Academy of Saint Petersburg and was ordained as a priest on September 8, 1855. Upon his ordination, Sigismond served in the Dominican parish of Saint Catherine of Siena in Saint Petersburg from 1855 to 1857. During this time, he also became the spiritual director and professor of philosophy at the Ecclesiastical Academy. In 1856, he founded a charitable group called Recovery for the Poor and, a year later, established the Congregation of the Franciscan Sisters of the Family of Mary. On January 6, 1862, Sigismond was appointed Archbishop of Warsaw, Poland, arriving in the city on February 9. The situation in Warsaw was tumultuous, as it had been under siege by the Russians since 1861, with all churches closed for months. On February 13, 1862, Sigismond reconsecrated the Warsaw cathedral, and three days later, he reopened all the city's churches. Despite ongoing clashes between Russian and Polish nationalist forces, Sigismond worked tirelessly to reform parish life, revitalize charities, revamp seminary teaching, and free imprisoned priests. He also played an active role in starting parochial schools and an orphanage. His efforts to eliminate government interference in the Church faced opposition, with the Russians spreading rumors that he was a spy, undermining his authority. In 1863, following the violent repression of the January Revolt by the Russians, Sigimondo resigned from the Council of State. He wrote to Emperor Alexander II, urging an end to violence, and protested against the hanging of Capuchin Father Agrypin Konarski, the rebels' chaplain. Unfortunately, these actions resulted in Sigismond's deportation to Jaroslavl, Siberia, on June 14, 1863. He spent the next 20 years in exile, organizing priests and charitable work among his fellow prisoners, and even building a church in the refugee camps. After lengthy negotiations between Moscow and the Vatican, Sigismond was finally freed in 1883. Pope Leo XIII transferred him to the titular see of Tarsus on March 15, 1883. For his final 12 years, Sigismond lived in semi-exile in southeastern Galizia at Dzwiniaczka, ministering to Ukrainian and Polish peasants. There, he built a church, parochial school, and a convent for the Franciscan Sisters of the Family of Mary. Saint Zygmunt Szcesny Felinski passed away on September 17, 1895, in Kraków, Malopolskie, Poland, from natural causes. He was buried in Krakow on September 20, 1895, but his remains were later moved to Dzwiniacza on October 10, 1895. Finally, on April 14, 1921, his remains were translated to the crypt of the Cathedral of Saint John in Warsaw, Poland. Pope John Paul II recognized the heroic virtues of Saint Zygmunt Szcesny Felinski on April 24, 2001, and beatified him on August 18, 2002, at Krakow, Poland. Pope Benedict XVI canonized him on October 11, 2009. While Saint Zygmunt does not have a specific patronage associated with him, his life and exemplary dedication to the Church and his people inspire all Catholics to work for justice, peace, and the welfare of others.