ST JOSEPH SEBASTIAN PELCZAR, BISHOP OF PRZEMYSL - 28 MARCH

ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN MARCH

Saints celebrated on the 28th of March

Prayer to the Angels and the Saints

Heavenly Father, in praising Your Angels and Saints we praise Your glory, for by honouring them we honour You, their Creator. Their splendour shows us Your greatness, which infinitely surpasses that of all creation.

In Your loving providence, You saw fit to send Your Angels to watch over us. Grant that we may always be under their protection and one day enjoy their company in heaven.

Heavenly Father, You are glorified in Your Saints, for their glory is the crowning of Your gifts. You provide an example for us by their lives on earth, You give us their friendship by our communion with them, You grant us strength and protection through their prayer for the Church, and You spur us on to victory over evil and the prize of eternal glory by this great company of witnesses.

Grant that we who aspire to take part in their joy may be filled with the Spirit that blessed their lives, so that, after sharing their faith on earth, we may also experience their peace in heaven. Amen.

ST JOSEPH SEBASTIAN PELCZAR, BISHOP OF PRZEMYSL 

Joseph Sebastian Pelczar was born on January 17, 1842, in the small town of Korczyna in southwestern Poland. When he was still a young student, Joseph Sebastian decided to devote himself to the service of God. In his diary he wrote: “Earthly ideals are fading away. I see the ideal of life in sacrifice, and the ideal of sacrifice in priesthood.” He began theological studies at the Major Seminary of Przemysl.

A DEEP, ABIDING LOVE FOR THE CHURCH AND HER VISIBLE HEAD, THE ROMAN PONTIFF

Ordained a priest  on July 17, 1864, Joseph Sebastian was sent to Sambor, to a parish in the Diocese of Przemysl, where he worked for a year and a half as a curate.  He was sent to Rome in 1866 and spent two years there, studying at Collegium Romanum, presently known as the Gregorian University, and the Institute of St Apollinaris, now known as the Lateran University. His studies in Rome not only broadened his knowledge, but also filled his heart with a deep, abiding love for the Church and her visible head, the Roman Pontiff. Having earned doctorates in theology and canon law, he returned to Poland andwas appointed as professor of the Jagellonian University in Krakow some years later.

WORKS OF MERCY

He did not confine himself only to academic work. He generously involved himself in other social and charitable activities such as the St Vincent de Paul Society and the Society for the Education of the People. In 1891, Father Pelczar established the Fraternity of Our Lady, Queen of the Polish Crown. Besides its religious commitment, the Fraternity was founded to care for the poor, the orphans, apprentices and servants, especially those who were sick and unemployed.

THE SISTER SERVANTS OF THE MOST SACRED HEART OF JESUS

Joseph Sebastian recognised that the problems existing in his times were actually opportunities to see the will of God. In 1894, he founded the Congregation of the Sister Servants of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus in Krakow, with the aim of spreading the Kingdom of the love of the Heart of Jesus. He wanted the Sisters to be signs and instruments of this love for girls, for the sick and all people in need. 

HE WAS NAMED AUXILLARY BISHOP

Five years later, in 1899 he was named Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Przemysl. In spite of his poor health, Bishop Pelczar worked tirelessly in the religious and social needs of his diocese. In order to encourage the faithful of his diocese to grow in the spirit of faith, he made regular pastoral visits to the parishes and devoted special attention to raise the moral and intellectual awareness of the clergy. 

AN ARDENT ADORER OF THE MOST BLESSED SACRAMENT

Above all, he himself exemplified a life of deep piety that was expressed in his devotion to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Virgin Mary. He was an ardent adorer of the Most Blessed Sacrament and used to encourage members of his diocese to take part in Eucharistic devotions. Through his efforts, the number of churches and chapels increased, and many churches were restored. 

THE NECESSITY OF IMPLEMENTING THE SOCIAL DOCTRINE OF THE CHURCH

Despite the unfavorable political circumstances of the times, he conducted three diocesan synods. He sympathised with workers who were unjustly treated, and with those who were forced to emigrate because of  the difficult economical situation. He emphasized the necessity of implementing the social doctrine of the Church as expressed in the social documents of Leo XIII. 

HIS WRITINGS

Extraordinarily gifted by God, Blessed Joseph Sebastian developed and increased the talents given to him. Among his gifts was a rich literary heritage. He authored numerous theological, historical, and canonical books, pastoral letters, sermons, addresses, as well as prayer books and textbooks. 

HIS HOLY DEATH

Having fulfilled God’s will, despite many obstacles, Bishop Pelczar died in the odour of sanctity on the night of March 28, 1924.  [He is also commemorated on January 19.]

(From a homily of Pope John Paul II. For the full homily, please see

https://www.vatican.va/news_services/liturgy/saints/ns_lit_doc_20030518_pelczar_en.html)