BL. AUGUST FRANCISZEK MARIA ANNA
JOZEF KAJETAN CZARTORYSKIwas a Polish professed member of the Salesians of Don Bosco and
a noble prince. He was born in Paris during
his house's exile.His constant frail health saw much of his childhood being
shuttled to various health spas. (St.) Raphael Kalinowski
(Previous Blog) tutored him.
Bl. Augustus
was born in Paris in 1858, in exile, to the Polish Prince Ladislaw and Princess
Mary Amparo, daughter of the Queen of Spain. Thirty years before, this noble
family, tied to Polish nobility, had emigrated to France. From his
place of exile Prince Ladislaw had sought to restore unity to his country which
had fallen apart in 1795.
When he was
six, Augustus lost his mother. He inherited his mother's title upon her death in 1864 a title he held until 1876 when it was made a duke. Taking his mother's place was Margaret d’Orléans. She was the
daughter of the Count of Paris, pretender to the French throne. From his
earliest years, Augustus showed himself to be a good, thoughtful boy. Although
much attached to his beloved Poland,
he was never attracted to courtly life.
Between the
ages of 10 and 17 he studied in Paris and Krakow,
but his health forced him to interrupt his studies and go to the south of Europe frequently in search of a better climate. Here he began his relationship with (St.) Joseph Kalinowski, who prudently guided him not only in his
studies, but especially in the spiritual life. The tutor
described his pupil as a lad with a stable character, a good soul, perfectly
courteous, sincere, intelligent and very religious, but with a simple heart.
In
May 1883 (St.) Don Bosco was in France.
He was invited to LambertPalace by Princess
Margaret d’Orléans. Augustus served his Mass, and the saint said to him: “I
have wanted to meet you for quite some time!”. The prince was struck by his
encounter. Following this he went several times to Turin to meet Don Bosco. He insisted with him
that he be allowed to enter the Salesians, but the Founder was not convinced due to the young man's poor health. Augustus spoke with Pope Leo XIII, who convinced Don Bosco to accept him.
In July
1887, after having renounced his earthly goods and all possibility of the
throne, he entered the novitiate against his family’s wishes. He was 29 years
of age. In his efforts to adapt himself to the Oratory and its lifestyle, he
became the humblest of novices. Don Bosco, almost on his deathbed, blessed his
religious habit. He began his philosophy studies, but soon took ill with
tuberculosis. In the house at Valsalice, Turin,
he met Venerable Andrea Beltrami. The two developed a deep spiritual
friendship, while Andrea looked after Augustus during his illness.
When he was
ordained priest at Saint Remo, on the 2ndApril 1892, his family chose to be
absent, having made many efforts to get him to leave the Congregation.
Augustus
fully took on Salesian spirituality, especially its element of sacrifice and
offered his life and sufferings for the good of the young and the Congregation
just as Don Bosco did.
Bl. Augustus died at Alassio on the 8th April 1893, on
the Saturday of the Octave of Easter: “What a wonderful Easter!”, he had said.
He was 35 years old.
(St.) John Paul II declared him Blessed on the 25th April 2004.
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