Blessed Edmund Bojanowski

Biography

Blessed Edmund Bojanowski, also known as Edmund Bojanowski Adalbert Stanislas or Edmund Wojciech Stanislaw, was born on November 14, 1814, in Grabonog, Poland. He hailed from a wealthy and landed Polish noble family.

Bojanowski's passion for literature led him to study at universities in Breslau (modern-day Wroclaw, Poland) and Berlin, Germany. During his studies, he showed an aptitude for languages and translated works from Serbian to Polish. He also wrote his own poetry and authored a history of Serbia.

Tragically, Bojanowski contracted tuberculosis in his twenties. This illness would significantly impact his life and shape his future path. Despite his own health challenges, he dedicated himself to serving abandoned children, the sick, and the poor. Recognizing the importance of education, he established reading rooms and libraries to provide access to books and learning for those who could not afford it. Bojanowski also established the first day-care centers in the country, ensuring that children were cared for while their parents worked.

Bojanowski's commitment to assisting the sick led him to personally fund medical care for those in need. He supported orphanages and worked directly with the orphans, providing them with love and guidance. His selfless efforts inspired others to join him in his mission, leading to the founding of various religious orders.

Among the religious orders founded by Bojanowski are the Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate, the Sisters Handmaids of the Holy and Immaculate Virgin Mary, the Little Servant Sisters of the Immaculate Conception, and the Sisters Handmaids of the Mother of God, Virgin Immaculate Conception. To this day, these orders, composed of approximately 3,300 sisters, continue to carry out the work that Bojanowski initiated, helping those in need around the world.

Bojanowski's devotion to serving others deepened with each passing year. Two years before his death, he entered the seminary, seeking to further dedicate his life to God and the Church. Unfortunately, he did not live long enough to complete his studies or be ordained as a priest.

Blessed Edmund Bojanowski died on August 7, 1871, in Gorka Duchowna, Poland, of natural causes. His selflessness and tireless commitment to helping the less fortunate made him a beloved figure among the people. In recognition of his virtuous life, Bojanowski was venerated on July 3, 1998, by Pope John Paul II, who declared his heroic virtues. On June 13, 1999, Pope John Paul II beatified him during a ceremony in Warsaw, Poland.

Blessed Edmund Bojanowski's life and legacy serve as an inspiration to all, reminding us of the profound impact one individual can have in making the world a better place through acts of kindness, compassion, and selflessness.