The Albertine vocation is a call of Jesus to follow Him in community on the path of the evangelical counsels of chastity, poverty and obedience. It involves constant care to deepen our love for Him and to find God in other people whom we eagerly help.
How do I join the Albertine Congregation?
Joining the Congregation of St. Albert Brothers is a long process, lasting several years. It aims to gradually prepare you to finally take your vows and begin a life dedicated to serving the poor and needy.
In this process we can distinguish four main stages:
- The time of postulancy – a period of at least six months during which the brothers get to know more about the Albertine ministry and discern their vocation. The place of postulancy is the house in Krakow.
- Novitiate – once a year. It begins with ceremonial putting on of the habit. It takes place in the hermitage at Kalatówki in Zakopane. For two years brothers get to know the rules of religious life and deepen their relationship with God. In this way they prepare themselves to give themselves totally to Him by taking the first temporary vows: chastity, poverty and obedience.
- Juniorate – a six year period during which, by combining prayer and work, they carry out the charism of service to the poor in the various houses of the Congregation. At the same time they broaden their education and skills within the Albertine mission (theology, pedagogy, re-socialisation, psychology, nursing, social work).
- Professing perpetual vows – the previous stages prepare you for this final, very important and responsible decision, which is taking perpetual vows.
As a rule, brothers do not take holy orders. Such a commitment to God gives greater freedom to the active love of Jesus in the poorest of the poor and calls for zealous daily care for the spiritual life. The Eucharist, liturgical prayer, meditation, days of recollection and retreats give this love an ever new and more beautiful face.
Candidates for the Beatified
On 24 May 2011, the Polish stage of the process of beatification of the second group of martyrs of the Second World War was completed in Pelplin. Among the 122 candidates to the glory of the altars, there are also brothers of our Congregation.
Brother Wincenty Józef Wolniarski
He was born on 21st January 1874 in Stradów, in the district of Pińczów. He entered the Congregation of Brothers Serving the Poor in 1900, accepted by the Founder, St. Brother Albert. He took his perpetual vows on 19 March 1934. In the Congregation he performed the functions of educator of the poor youth, superior of the educational institutions. He was twice elected for the post of the Superior General of the Congregation. During his second term in office he was arrested by the Gestapo on January 13, 1940 in Krakow in the Educational Institution for boys run by the Congregation at 86 Kościuszki Street. He passed through several prisons and camps where he was subjected to various acts of violence and cruelty. Finally he was imprisoned in the Dachau concentration camp. On 11 June 1942 he was deported in an invalid transport and gassed on 2 July 1942, the feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Brother Vincent grew up in the spiritual school of St. Brother Albert, and was characterised by a special trust in divine providence and a lively devotion to the Blessed Mother. He devoted his love and care to his brothers, the poor, and especially to poor children and youths, whom he wished to bring up as model Catholics and conscientious and upright sons of the fatherland.
Brother Serafin Józef Zwoliński
He was born on 16 October 1879 in the village of Poskwitów near Miechów. He was admitted to the Congregation of Brothers Serving the Poor in 1902 by St. Brother Albert. He made his perpetual vows on 20 March 1934.
The particular traits of his personality and spirituality were formed by the Holy Founder in the school of merciful and humble service of Christ the Good and Merciful Shepherd. As a questor in his humble service, he took care of the livelihood of the poor. Appointed master of novices, he fostered their spiritual development by instilling in them a fervent and trusting love for Jesus and concern for the poor.
Arrested by the Gestapo on January 20, 1940 in Krakow, in the Educational Institute for boys run by the Congregation at 18 Tyniecka Street, he spent time in several prisons and concentration camps. The crowning achievement of Brother Seraphim’s life of humility and active love of God and neighbour was his apostolic work and his great concern for the salvation of the souls of his fellow prisoners in the Auschwitz camp. Against hope, he encouraged confidence in God’s mercy by promoting this devotion. Through his work he persuaded many to receive the sacrament of penance and led them to conversion.
Transferred to the camp in Dachau on 11 December, he died of exhaustion on 26 December 1940, the feast of St Stephen, the first martyr.
Prayer for beatification
Almighty and merciful God, grant glory to your servants, Brothers Seraphim and Vincent, who dedicated their lives to the service of the needy and the abandoned in the Congregation of Albertine Brothers Serving the Poor. United with you, they became heroic witnesses of the faith, giving their lives as a sacrifice of love for you, bravely enduring the torments of prison and the concentration camps. Through their intercession, strengthen our faith, hope and love on the path of our vocation in life, and grant us the grace …… which we confidently ask. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Our Father…, Hail Mary…, Glory be to the Father…