Saint Raphael Kalinowski was born Joseph Kalinowski in Vilnius in what is now Lithuania on 1st September 1835. He was the second son of Andrew and Josepha Kalinowski (néePolonska), of noble Polish Catholic descent.

 Joseph felt called to the priesthood from an early age, however, he first completed his education, specialising in mathematics, science and engineering.  Opportunities for further education were limited so in order to continue his studies, Joseph enrolled in the Russian Army so that he could attend a military college. He became a lieutenant in the Russian army, supervising engineering works including the railway between Kursk and Odessa.  During this time he also worked as a catechist and opened a Sunday school.

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In the early 1860s Joseph left the Russian army and supported the Polish insurrection. He was made the rebellion’s minister of war, accepting the post with the condition that he would never have to impose the death penalty. In June 1864 he was arrested and condemned to death. This sentence was commuted to ten years forced labour in Siberia. Many people didn't even survive the nine month arduous journey to Siberia. However, Joseph was able to endure this due to his faith and he became a great spiritual support for his fellow prisoners.

 When he was released Joseph was sent into exile and he went to Paris. There he worked as a tutor until entering the Discalced Carmelites in 1877 in Austria. He took the religious name Raphael of St Joseph and he was ordained priest in 1882.

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His dream was to restore the Discalced Carmelites in Poland. He founded a community at Wadowice (later the home town of Pope St John Paul II) in 1889. He worked hard for church unity and was sought after as a spiritual director by both Catholic and Orthodox Christians.

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The Discalced Carmelite Generalate  website offers the following sketch of St Raphael’s character:

In his life, what stands out in a special manner are his spirit of charity and his spirit of reconciliation, together with the commitment he showed to formation, particularly for young people.

He taught them to have the courage of persevering in their faith and to have hope in the midst of difficulties; he also taught that it is only in the light of the reconciliation that comes from God is it possible to move towards meeting with others and giving pardon. He added that to be able to pardon, it is necessary to know that you yourself have been pardoned.

He possessed an open character, full of warmth. After his time in Siberia, he returned convinced of the need to focus on the youth, since, at this stage of life, learning forms the person and decides the future. First of all he sought an integral formation of the human being; he was moved by a spiritual and intellectual interest.

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His life was lit up by the Gospel and the person of Jesus.

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St Raphael died in 1907. 

He was beatified by Pope St John Paul II in Krakow in 1983 and canonised by the same Pope in Rome on 17 November 1991.

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