This Polish saint lived a very busy life! He studied hard and graduated from the military academy of St. Petersburg. He later was director of the company that built some of the major railroads of Russia. He held several positions in the Russian army, and then took part in the Lithuanian uprising in 1863. But even in his military life, Raphael tried to become close to Jesus. He lived simply and was generous to the poor. He was arrested for his part in the uprising and was sent to work in the mines in Siberia. During this time, Raphael did not complain about the hard life he had, but he tried to comfort and help the others there. It was also during this time that he decided he wanted to serve God completely in the religious life. When he was eventually set free, Raphael was able to follow this desire. He entered a Carmelite monastery and was ordained a priest. After a holy life, he died in 1907 in the monastery at Wadowice, Poland, the native town of Pope John Paul II.

Your Turn:

Do you know what you would like to be when you grow up? Right now you may not know for sure, but do you ever ask God to lead you to be whatever his dream is for you?

My Pledge:

Dear Jesus, keep me close to you wherever I go—at my home, in school, on the road, and at the mall. Let me shine with your love and help others to follow you by my example.