Seminarian Paul Smolikowski,, circa 1871.
This month the Congregation of the Resurrection honors the memory of a remarkable priest and Resurrectionist. Father Paul Smolikowski was a Resurrectionist priest whose life spanned the end of the nineteenth century and the beginning of the twentieth.
Father Paul’s devotion to Christ and the Church is legendary. Recently, he has been honored by the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, a Vatican office which investigates the claims of those who advocate for Christians who have lived holy lives. That Congregation has determined after detailed investigation that Father Paul lived a life of joyful heroic virtue. He has been listed among the “Servants of God” and can now be called “Venerable.”
In 1867, Paul Smolikowski was 18 years old and intending to become a Jesuit until he met the small group of Resurrectionists who were teaching at his seminary in Rome. He loved the idea of joining a new Congregation like the Resurrectionists because he felt the fire of God’s love kindled in the hearts of those dedicated priests and brothers. He felt that same enthusiasm in his own heart and was thrilled to join them in their proclamation of the hope of the Resurrection.
He loved the vibrant men who taught him, especially one of the founders of the Resurrectionists who was still living: Father Peter Semenenko. Paul learned the depth and the power of this new religious community from this man.
Some forty years before, Father Peter with several others had banded together to form a new movement in the Church. It’s purpose was to bring fresh hope to Church parishes. With the celebration of the Holy Eucharist as the center of the social life of parishes, the founding group intended to create associations and groups which would live the Gospel of Jesus in their daily lives. They called themselves “The Brothers of the Resurrection.”
Paul saw in Father Peter Semenenko, C.R. something of the fiery urgency of the Gospel which burned in his own heart. Bright, and deeply spiritual, the old founder’s humility and theology made a deep impression on the young Paul and he made a decision to join this new community.
Thanks to men like Venerable Paul Smolikowski, C.R. the mission of the Resurrectionists continues today in more than a dozen countries, including the latest, Tanzania in Africa.
We ask you to pray for vocations to the Resurrectionist Community so that many young men will see in our life and work, a sign of their own vocation. May Our Lady, Mother of Graces, inspire many young men to give their hearts in devotion to the Church, as Venerable Paul did when he eagerly answered God’s call.