Saintly Saturday - Blessed Jan Adalbert Balicki


Jan Adalbert Balicki was born on January 25, 1869, in what is now known as the district of Rzeszow, Poland. During his childhood he attended the schools of Rzeszow and was given a sound education. In 1888, he entered seminary and was ordained four years later on July 20, 1892. Soon after his first assignment as an assistant pastor in Polna, Jan was sent to the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome to continue his formation. Being a man of prayer, Jan spent his four years there by deeply applying himself to his studies and approaching everything with a spiritual perspective, which would serve to furnish his priestly office and prepare him to live out his vocation.

Jan especially appreciated the works of St. Thomas Aquinas, and would often take what he had learned to prayer. After completing his studies, Jan was sent to the diocesan Seminary of Przemysl, where he was assigned as professor of dogmatic theology. As professor, Jan taught through meditations on the mysteries of God and held the opinion that the science of theology both regards God and has the potential to turn man to the Creator.

In 1928, Jan was appointed rector of the seminary, after having served as vice-rector the preceding year. Due to poor health, he resigned from this office and his teaching in 1934. Until 1939, however, he was permitted to remain at the seminary and serve as confessor and spiritual director. A gifted director and compassionate confessor, Jan’s heart was ever open to his penitents. The holy priest’s health continued to decline and he was diagnosed with pneumonia and tuberculosis in the early months of 1948. He died on March 15 of the same year. 


Blessed Jan Adalbert Balicki, Pray for Us!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Gospel Reflection - 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Image
Genesis 2:18-24 & Mark 10:2-16 Both the first reading and the Gospel speak to the sanctity of the bonds of marriage and family.  In the first reading, we hear about God creating Eve to be a suitable partner for Adam.  The two become one flesh, man and woman joined together to not only keep one another company, but to procreate and tend to the land.  In the Gospel, once again those Pharisees are trying to trip up Jesus.  His reply is an admonishment to their hardened hearts, reaffirming that marriage is for one man and one woman and that no human can separate what God has joined.   Unfortunately, we have become a throwaway society.  We overbuy food that ends up spoiled and tossed.  Clothing and furniture tears or breaks and rather than repairing them, we throw them out.  We get rid of things in good condition when the newest model is released (game systems, cell phone).  The same applies even to marriages and friendships.  I have...
Read more

10th National Eucharistic Congress Highlights

Image
On May 17, 2024, four pilgrimage routes began in Mississippi, Connecticut, Wisconsin, & California. The purpose was to cross our nation, presenting Jesus to the people of America, & meeting in Indianapolis for the 10th National Eucharistic Congress July 17. Along the way, with Jesus present in the monstrance, the perpetual pilgrims made stops at parishes, schools, & prisons. You can read more about the pilgrimage HERE . About 60,000 people gathered at The National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis, July 17-21, to adore our Lord in the Most Blessed Sacrament, attend Mass daily, pray together, & listen to great speakers.  Fr. Mike Schmitz, Monsignor James Shea, Bishop Robert Barron, Jonathan Roumie, Sr. Bethany Madonna, Chris Stefanik, & more shared their great love of our Lord & how much of an impact the Eucharist has had in their lives.  Unfortunately , I couldn't make it to Indiana, but I was able to watch many of the speakers live & on YouTube....
Read more

Fourth Sunday of Advent

Image
Well, here we are already...the 4th Sunday of Advent has arrived!  Have you finished your Christmas shopping & wrapped all the presents, baked your holiday delectables, mailed your Christmas greeting cards, decorated your home to rival any display of Martha Stewart's? If you're like most people, you probably answered that you're nowhere near being finished. But you know what? That's perfectly fine because none of those items are important in the grand scheme of things.  The bigger & most important question to be answered is, "Have you prepared your heart to receive Jesus on Christmas Day?" After all, without Jesus' humble birth in a stable over 2000 years ago, none of the other things above would have any significant meaning! Today's Gospel tells us that Mary, upon being told that she would bring our Savior into the world, set off in haste to her cousin, Elizabeth. Advanced in age, Elizabeth was experiencing a miraculous pregnancy, foretold by...
Read more