Blessed Ladislas Of Gielniów

Biography

Blessed Ladislas of Gielniów, also known as the Apostle of Lithuania, Wladyslaw of Gielniów, or W≈Çadys≈Çaw z Gielniowa, was born around 1440 in the town of Gielniów, Poland. He received his education at the prestigious University of Warsaw and later joined the Franciscan Order of Friars Minor Observant.

Within his monastery, Ladislas served as a humble doorkeeper, but his exceptional devotion and commitment led to his election as the provincial of his Order in 1487 and again in 1496. During his tenure as provincial, he showed great zeal in spreading the Gospel, particularly in the region of Lithuania. Ladislas sent Franciscan missionaries to Lithuania, who were successful in bringing many schismatics back to the Catholic Church.

Blessed Ladislas's preaching abilities were well-known, and he traveled extensively across Poland, actively evangelizing the people from one end of the country to the other. His sermons were powerful and inspired many to deepen their faith and return to the Church. Additionally, Ladislas gained a reputation for his prayerful life, seeking divine intervention for the protection and well-being of Poland.

In 1498, Ladislas led a prayer campaign aimed at safeguarding Poland from invading Tatars and Turks. Through the fervent prayers of the faithful, a winter storm of exceptional severity suddenly struck the region, halting the progress of the invaders. Taking advantage of the turmoil caused by the storm, the Polish army successfully repelled the attackers. This miraculous event was widely attributed to the intercession of Ladislas and the prayer warriors who joined him.

Following this victory, Ladislas was appointed as the abbot of the Warsaw monastery, where he continued to guide and inspire the religious community. However, on Good Friday in 1505, while engaged in prayer and reflecting on the suffering and Passion of Christ, Ladislas experienced an extraordinary mystical phenomenon. Witnesses reported that he levitated off the ground, remaining suspended in the air as if crucified. When he eventually descended, Ladislas collapsed completely and remained bedridden until his death a few weeks later.

Blessed Ladislas of Gielniów passed away on May 4, 1505, in Warsaw, Poland, due to natural causes. His unwavering faith, fervent evangelization efforts, and remarkable mystical experiences positioned him as a beloved figure among the faithful. Ladislas was beatified by Pope Sixtus V in 1586 and received further recognition with cultus confirmation by Pope Benedict XIV on February 11, 1750. Today, he is venerated as a model of exceptional piety, devotion, and missionary zeal within the Catholic Church, particularly in Poland. His feast day is celebrated on May 4, although it was formerly recognized on May 25 and September 21.