Born in Poland in 1694, his birth name was Melchor and he developed a deep faith in The Lord when he was a child, so much so that the family began to refer to him as their “little monk”.
However, his first choice as a young man was the military and after graduating from a Jesuit University he joined the Army and was soon named as an officer in the cavalry.
Although he was an outstanding officer, Melchor’s desire to serve the Lord resurfaced, and, much to the distress of his superiors, he decided to join the Order the Conventual Franciscans in Krakow where he was given the name “Rafal”.
Ordained in 1717, Rafal was a young priest on the move, assigned to nine different parishes before finally landing in Lagiewniki, where he would spend most of the rest of his life.
Rafal had a special love for the poor and sick, and during a flood in Warsaw and an epidemic that followed, he spent almost two years working tirelessly to help those in distress.
Returning to his home parish, Rafal also ministered through his gift for music, playing the harp and mandolin during mass.
And, as always, he continued to work with the poor.
He died on this day in 1741 at the age of just 47, and after his death, Lagiewniki became a pilgrimage site for those seeking his intercession.
Blessed Rafal Chylinski, please pray for us.