The Catholic Defender: Blessed Rafal Chylinski

Born on 8 January 1694 near Buk in the Poznan region of Poland, Melchior Chylinski showed early signs of religious devotion; family members nicknamed him “the little monk.”

After completing his studies at the Jesuit college in Poznan, Melchior joined the cavalry and was promoted to officer rank within three years.

In 1712, Melcior served in the Polish Army and became an officer. In 1715, he left the Army and moved to Cracow, where he joined the Franciscan Fathers as a cleric. On April 4, 1715, Rafael was baptized into the order and received the name Rafael.

On April 26, 1715, he was professed. He was ordained to the priesthood (in Poznan) in 1717. He traveled to monasteries in Radziejow, Poznan, Gniezno, Warsaw, Kalisz, Warta, and Crakow. From 1728-1736, he served in the Lageiewniki, part of the parish of Lodz. He died there on December 2, 1742.

In 1715, against the urgings of his military comrades, Melchior joined the Conventual Franciscans in Krakow. Receiving the name Rafal, he was ordained two years later.

After pastoral assignments in nine cities, he came to Lagiewniki, where he spent the last 13 years of his life, except for 20 months ministering to flood and epidemic victims in Warsaw.

In all these places, Rafal was known for his simple and candid sermons, for his generosity, as well as for his ministry in the confessional.

People of all levels of society were drawn to the self-sacrificing way he lived out his religious profession and priestly ministry.

Rafal played the harp, lute, and mandolin to accompany liturgical hymns. In Lagiewniki he distributed food, supplies, and clothing to the poor.

People of all levels of society were drawn to the self-sacrificing way he lived out his religious profession and priestly ministry.

Franciscan Priest, Preacher, Apostle of Charity, Musician – The sermons preached by Rafal were powerfully reinforced by the living sermon of his life. The Sacrament of Reconciliation can help us bring our daily choices into harmony with our words about Jesus’ influence in our lives.

He honored the crucified Christ, and his suffering, pain, and death at every mass he celebrated. He often repeated: "Oh, how good, how good is God. We have a Good Lord."

After his death, the Conventual church in that city became a place of pilgrimage for people throughout Poland. He was beatified in Warsaw in 1991.

After pastoral assignments in nine cities, he came to Lagiewniki, where he spent the last 13 years of his life, except for 20 months ministering to flood and epidemic victims in Warsaw. In all these places, Rafal was known for his simple and candid sermons, for his generosity, as well as for his ministry in the confessional. People of all levels of society were drawn to the self-sacrificing way he lived out his religious profession and priestly ministry.

During the beatification homily, Pope John Paul II said, "May Blessed Rafal remind us that every one of us, even though we are sinners, has been called to love and to holiness" (L'Osservatore Romano, 1991, vol. 25, number 19).

The sermons preached by Rafal were powerfully reinforced by the living sermon of his life. The Sacrament of Reconciliation can help us bring our daily choices into harmony with our words about Jesus’ influence in our life.