In the town of Górka Duchowna near Poznań in Poland, Blessed Edmund Bojanowski, who devoted himself with all his zeal to the instruction of the poor and country people according to the precepts of the Gospel, and founded the Congregation of the Servants of the Immaculate Conception of the Mother of God.
Lifespan: 1814–1871
Beatified: 13 June 1999 by Pope John Paul II
Memoria liturgica: 7 August
“He knew how to show the extraordinary richness of his grace through goodness.”
Pope John Paul II
Edmund Bojanowski was born on 14 November 1814 in the small town of Górka Duchowna near Poznań, Poland, into a noble family.
Throughout his life, despite being of frail health, he carried out and inspired — with perseverance, prudence, and generosity of heart — a wide range of activities on behalf of the rural people.
Guided by a discernment deeply attuned to human need, he initiated numerous educational, charitable, cultural, and religious works for the material and moral support of rural families. Remaining a layman, he founded the Congregation of the Handmaids of the Blessed Virgin Immaculate, well known in Poland. In every undertaking he was moved by the desire that all might become sharers in redemption.
He has entered human memory as “a warmly good man,” who for love of God and neighbour was able to draw people from many walks of life together around the good. In his rich activity he greatly anticipated what the Second Vatican Council would later teach on the apostolate of the laity.
He gave an exceptional example of generous and wise service to humanity, to his homeland, and to the Church.
The work of Blessed Edmund Bojanowski is continued by the Sister Handmaids, whom I greet with all my heart and thank for their silent service, full of the spirit of sacrifice, on behalf of humanity and the Church.