Blessed Honorat Koźmiński
Polish Capuchin who founded many habitless congregations under Russian rule
- Rank
- Blessed
- Kind
- Priest, Founder
- Life
- 1829 – 1916
- Era
- 20th century
- Countries
- Poland
Life story
Wacław Koźmiński was born on 16 October 1829 in Biała Podlaska, in territory ruled by the Russian Empire. As a young man he lost his faith, studied architecture at the School of Fine Arts in Warsaw, and was imprisoned from April 1846 to March 1847 on suspicion of joining a conspiracy against Russian rule. According to his biographers he recovered his faith during that imprisonment.
In December 1848 he entered the Capuchin order and took the name Honorat. He was ordained a priest in the 1850s; sources give 1852 or 1855. After the failed uprising of the 1860s the Russian authorities ordered religious orders dissolved, and the Capuchins were removed from Warsaw. From then on he carried on his work quietly, moving between several cities.
In these conditions he founded or co-founded many communities whose members took vows but wore no habit and did not live together. Sources disagree on the number, some saying 16 and others 26; according to Franciscan Media, about seventeen of them still exist. He also left sermons, letters and writings on the spiritual life.
In 1906 the bishops tried to place these communities under their own authority, and he defended their independence; in 1908 he was removed from leadership, though he urged the members to stay obedient to the Church. He died on 16 December 1916 in Nowe Miasto nad Pilicą. Pope John Paul II beatified him on 16 October 1988 in St Peter's Square; he has not been canonised. His feast day is 13 October.
Works and witness
- Studied architecture in Warsaw and was imprisoned for nearly a year (1846–1847)
- Entered the Capuchins in 1848 and took the name Honorat
- Founded or co-founded many habitless congregations while religious orders were banned
- Removed from leading the communities in 1908
- Beatified by Pope John Paul II on 16 October 1988
Saints from the same country
References
- Franciscan Media, Blessed Honoratus Kozminski (franciscanmedia.org)
- Encyclopedia.com, Kózmínski, Honorat, Bl. (search listing) cross-checked with Wikipedia, Honorat Koźmiński (dates)
Written by Anawim from documented history. Some details about ancient saints rest on tradition and are marked as such.