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Raphael Kalinowski was born to Polish parents in the city of Vilnius in 1835. Following military service, he was condemned in 1864 to ten years of forced labor in Siberia. In 1877 he became a Carmelite and was ordained a priest in 1882. He contributed greatly to the restoration of the Discalced Carmelites in Poland. His life was distinguished by zeal for Church unity and by his unflagging devotion to his ministry as confessor and spiritual director. He died in Wadowice in 1907.
(More detailed information about Saint Raphael is available here)
The holy Scriptures praise nothing more than a perfect and holy life lived in the exact and perfect fulfillment of each one's duties. In the Old Testament our Lord and God taught his people and told them: 'You must be holy because I am holy' (Lv 11:44).
The Eternal Father gave us our Lord Jesus Christ as our teacher, master and guide. He confirmed and ratified the Old Testament injunction where He taught us that we must emulate the holiness of the Father: 'You must be perfect just as your heavenly Father is perfect' (Mt 5:48). How does one become perfect and holy? The Doctors of the Church, the leaders of souls, and the masters of the spiritual life answer: If you would be perfect and become holy, fulfill your duties faithfully.
Once a desert father was asked by a certain young hermit what books he ought to study in order to advance in holiness. The old man replied: My practice is to read two books only. In the morning hours I read the Gospel, and in the evening I read the Rule. The first teaches me the way I should walk as a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ. The other teaches me what I should do to be a good religious. That is enough for me.
Let us therefore be students of the laws of God so that we may conduct ourselves according to them. 'When you walk, these will guide you; when you lie down, watch over you; when you wake, talk with you' (Pv 6:22). Wherever we may be or go, may they go with us to direct our footsteps. May they be so near us when we sleep that they may fill our thoughts as soon as we awaken. His voice will speak to us in them. He will refresh us for the day ahead. Through His laws we will gain the victory over our doubts. We will cast away every obstacle. We will free ourselves of that sluggishness of nature which is the enemy of strength, the foe of devotion, and the lover of ease. The law of life will help us to overcome our fears in time of temptation and to follow eagerly in the way of obedience. May it always be at hand to counsel us, so that by it we may find the strength to follow God's call with generous hearts and willing souls.
R/. Free your minds, then, of encumbrances, since it is the Holy One who has
called you;
* Be holy in all you do.
V/. For it is I, the Lord, who am your God; you have been sanctified and
have become holy because I am holy.
* Be holy in all you do.
Lord God, You made Your Priest St. Raphael strong in adversity and filled Him with a great love in promoting Church unity. Through his prayers make us strong in faith and in love for one another, that we too may generously work together for the unity of all believers in Christ. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
If there are any questions or comments about this information, please contact Elonka at elonka@aol.com
Page created: April 13, 2005
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