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[Blessed Edmund Bojanowski] is remembered as a good man with a big heart, who for love of God and neighbor was able to bring different sectors together, effectively rallying them around a common good. In his many-faceted activity, he anticipated much of what the Second Vatican Council said about the apostolate of the laity. His was an exceptional example of generous and industrious work for man, the homeland and the church. – John Paul II at the Beatification of Blessed Edmund Bojanowski, June 13, 1999
August 7th was the feast day of Blessed Edmund Bojanowski, a courageous and merciful man who was born into a noble family in Grabonog, Poland. From an early age Edmund had a particular love of the sick and the many poor children in the city and countryside. He sought to spend his life working to serve their needs and was a pivotal member of the St. Vincent de Paul Society in Poland.
Edmund was a very active layman who founded a “home for orphans and health services to the ill including during outbreaks of cholera, day nursery shelters for neglected children, libraries for the needy, and further activities to develop the religious, moral and cultural values of the people” (Source). He would also visit the sick in their homes and promoted the “Living Rosary.”
Something very rare for a member of the laity, he founded a religious congregation of sisters called the “Little Servant Sisters of the Immaculate Conception,” who devoted themselves to caring for the sick, children, elderly and anyone else in need. Edmund needed help in his works of mercy and founded the religious order in hopes that they could help him in his endeavor.
Two years before he died, Edmund entered seminary in hopes of becoming a priest. He died before he could complete his studies, but his legacy of serving the most vulnerable is still continued on even today.
He left the sisters he founded with these words, which are reminiscent of another Polish Saint of Divine Mercy, Saint Faustyna Kowalska:
It is God´s mercy in everything that we encounter on this earth… It is always the same benevolent Father whose eye rests upon us, whose wisdom guards us, whose love leads us… We should always bless and thank Him.
Remember, it is your duty to serve little ones and the poor as expressions of your love for Christ who humbled Himself for you, and made Himself your servant.
The love of Christ impels us to make this world more Godlike and more human, and to make life more bearable. (Source emphasis added)
Let us pray to Blessed Edmund, that he may help us to see Christ in the poor and vulnerable and serve them and their needs:
God, Heavenly Father, giver and source of all goodness, I implore You through the intercession of Blessed Edmund, who loved You with all his heart, placed bountiful trust in You and refused You nothing in his life, to grant me the graces…
Confident of the intercession of the Immaculate Servant of the Lord, I beseech You, that Your Servant Edmund, guardian of children, the Poor and the sick, becomes for the People of God a saintly intercessor in all their needs. Amen.
Our Father…Hail Mary…Glory…
For graces received through the intercession of Blessed Edmund Bojanowski, please inform:
Little Servant Sisters of the Immaculate Conception
Provincialate
1000 Cropwell Road
Cherry Hill, NJ 08003
Convent: 856-424-1962
School: 856-424-3063
E-mail: Isic.prov.verizon.net