00 16/12/2009 15:39



Wednesday, December 16

BLESSED HONORATUS KOZMINSKI (Poland, 1825-1916)
Capuchin, Founder of Congregations, Writer
Imprisoned as a teenager for allegedly taking part in a rebellion conspiracy,
he joined the Capuchins, and as a priest in Warsaw, devoted himself to
preaching, confessions, spiritual direction and working with lay Franciscans.
At age 30, he helped Blessed Angela Truszkowska establish the Felician
congregation. In 1864, Polish orders were suppressed after an assassination
plot on the Russian czar, and the clergy were expelled from Warsaw. Exiled
to another city, Zakroczym, he established 26 male and female congregations
who took vows but did not wear habits and lived among the people (17 still exist
today as secular institutes). His life was also marked by extensive writings,
particularly his sermons and letters, and 52 publications on ascetic theology.
In 1895, he was named Commissary-General for the Capuchins of Poland, but
in 1908, diocesan bishops took control over his congregations, whom he told
to obey. A contemporary said of him, "He always walked with God". He was
beatified in 1988.



OR today.

Benedict XVI's message for the 2010 World Day of Peace:
'If you wish to cultivate peace, safeguard Creation!'
Other Page 1 stories: The Holy Father's Motu Proprio making a few changes in canon
law provisions on deacons and marriage. International news: Increasing tension at
climate-change conference in Copenhagen, as the US and China head for a showdown;
new terrorist attacks in Iraq on Christians in Mosul and headquarters of international
organizations in Baghdad; and increasing threats to civilian lives from Muslim rebels
in Somalia.



THE POPE'S DAY

General Audience - The Holy Father's catechesis was on John of Salisbury, a 12th century English monk.