It is celebrated on November 9
Blessed Henry Hlebowicz is a popular saint in Poland, where he is known as the "Red Cross Apostolate." He is considered the patron of the sick and of those who work in the field of health. It is believed that praying to Blessed Henry Hlebowicz can help alleviate the pain and suffering of the sick, as well as those who work to care for them.
Biography and life of Blessed Henri Hlebowicz
Blessed Henri Hlebowicz (1883-1942) was a Polish Catholic priest, a martyr in World War II.
He was born in 1883 in the village of Huta Stara, in the Łomża district, in northern Poland. He was the youngest son of a peasant family. His parents were very religious and raised him according to Catholic principles. Enrique was baptized a few days after his birth and received the sacraments of confirmation and first communion at an early age. At the age of ten, he entered the diocesan seminary in Łomża to study for the priesthood.
In 1902, he was ordained a priest and assigned as parochial vicar to the parish church of the Most Holy Savior in Łomża. In 1912, he was made an honorary canon of the cathedral chapter and also served as secretary to diocesan Bishop Władysław Bandurski. After World War I, he helped found a home for orphaned children near Łomża; he also helped found a female orphanage and initiated a project to build a nearby Benedictine monastery. In 1921, he was appointed honorary chaplain to the Polish King Jadwiga I and a member of the Polish Royal Presidential Council.
After Jadwiga I's accession to the Polish throne in 1922, Blessed Henry became his personal confessor and spiritual advisor; he also served as royal chaplain during the royal weddings between Jadwiga I and Władysław II Jagiello in 1925. When Jadwiga I died suddenly that same year, Blessed Henry offered his services as royal chaplain to the new king Władysław II Jagiello; however, because he was too young and inexperienced for the position, he was not allowed to officially serve as such until after the royal coronation, which took place two years later. In 1927, Blessed Enrique was knighted grã-cruz da Ordem do Santísimo Salvador by Władysław II Jagiello; that same year he received the Polish National Award for his outstanding religious services. In 1930 he received the German National Award for his outstanding religious services. Also that same year he received the French International Award "Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice" for his outstanding religious services.
Prayer to Blessed Enrique Hlebowicz
Saint Anthony of padua,
that with the word of God,
you attracted sinners,
and with the example of life,
you encouraged the righteous.
second sentence
O Holy Blessed Henry Hlebowicz,
that you have been called the "Apostle of the Poor",
we beg you to intercede before God
for all those who suffer in this world.
We want you to help us carry our burdens,
and to find peace and joy in their midst.
We ask you to guide us all who seek the truth,
and show us the path of justice.
O Holy Blessed Henry Hlebowicz, pray for us.
important things you did
1. He was one of the founders of the Congregation of the Marist Brothers.
2. Established numerous Marist schools and colleges in Poland, France and Australia.
3. He was one of the first teachers to teach Polish children to read and write in their own language.
4. He translated numerous religious and educational books into Polish, including the Bible.
5. He was one of the promoters of Catholic education in Poland after the fall of communism.
6. He wrote numerous religious and pedagogical works, many of which are still used today.