Saint of the day March 28, 2025

Joseph Sebastian Pelczar was born on January 17, 1842 in Korczyna in the diocese of Przemysl, Poland. Raised in a religious atmosphere, he entered the Seminary andSt. was ordained to the holy priesthood on 17 July 1864 and became a Parish priest at Sambor.

Joseph transferred to Rome in 1866, and studied at the Collegium Romanum (Gregorian University) and the Institute of Saint Apollinaris (Lateran University). He was a doctor of theology and a canon lawyer.

Joseph became a professor at the seminary at Przemysl from 1869 to 1877 and at the University of Krakow from 1877 to 1899. He was known as a great educator who was always available to students. He became a dean of the Theology Department and Rector of the University of Krakow from 1882 to 1883.

All the while he was teaching, Joseph was still involved at the parish level. He worked with the Saint Vincent de Paul Society and was president of the Society for the Education of the People for 16 years. He started hundreds of libraries, delivered free lectures, published over a thousand books, wrote several books of history, theology and canon law himself, and started a school for servants.

He founded the Fraternity of Our Lady, Queen of the Polish Crown in 1891; the Fraternity cared for the poor, orphans, apprentices, servants, the sick and unemployed. With Blessed Klara Szczesna, he co-founded the Sister Servants of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus on 15 April 1894 in Krakow to work with the sick and young women and to spread devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Joseph was the Bishop of Przemysl in 1900 until his death in 1924. After twenty-five years of exemplary service as a bishop he died in the odor of sanctity on March 28, 1924. In 1991, Pope St. John Paul II counted him among the glory of the Blessed, and in Rome on May 18, 2003, proclaimed him a Saint of the universal Church.

He made frequent visits to the parishes, supported the religious orders, conducted three synods, and worked for the education and religious formation of his priests. He encouraged devotion to the Blessed Sacrament, Eucharistic devotions, the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and the Virgin Mary. He built and restored churches, built nurseries, kitchens, homeless shelters, and schools for the poor, and gave tuition assistance to poor seminarians. He worked for the implementation of the social doctrine described in the writings of Pope Leo XIII. He left behind a large body of work, including books, pastoral letters, sermons, addresses, prayers, and other writings.

Reflection

Joseph Sebastian Pelczar’s entire life was spent learning and teaching the faith, primarily through books. 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.
Joseph Sebastian recognized that the problems existing in his times were actually opportunities to see the will of God. Through his humility, unwavering faith, and dedication to serve those in need, Saint Józef Sebastian Pelczar truly embodied what it means to be a follower of Christ. His life serves as an inspiration for us all, reminding us to persevere in our faith journey, despite the obstacles we face.
Despite the years that have passed since Pelczar's earthly journey, his teachings remain relevant. He believed that every Christian has the duty to be a 'saint.' This does not mean performing extraordinary feats but living ordinary lives extraordinarily—with love, virtue, and faith in God.