Salesian Cardinal August Hlond Declared Venerable

Rector Major Publishes Letter on Cardinal's Life and Virtues 

(ANS – Rome – July 18) – On May 19, Pope Francis authorized the Congregation for Saints’ Causes to promulgate the decree concerning the heroic virtues of the Servant of God August Joseph Hlond, SDB, archbishop of Gniezno and Warsaw, primate of Poland, cardinal of the Holy Roman Church, founder of the Society of Christ for the Emigrants.

Venerable August Hlond was born on July 5, 1881, in Brzeczkowice, Poland, and died in Warsaw on October 22, 1948.

Regarding the decree, Fr. Angel Fernandez Artime sent a letter to the Salesians and the entire Salesian Family in which he traces the stages of Cardinal Hlond’s life, both as Salesian and as archbishop-primate of the Polish Church and then highlights several traits.

Cardinal Hlond was a virtuous man, a luminous example of a Salesian religious, and a generous, austere pastor, capable of prophetic visions. Obedient to the Church and firm in the exercise of authority, he showed heroic humility and unequivocal constancy in moments of greatest trial. He cultivated poverty and did justice to the poor and needy. The two columns of his spiritual life, learned at the school of St. John Bosco, were the Eucharist and Mary Help of Christians.

In the history of the Polish Church, Cardinal August Hlond was one of the most eminent figures for the religious witness of his life, the greatness, variety, and originality of his pastoral ministry and for the sufferings he faced for the Kingdom of God with an intrepid Christian spirit. Apostolic ardor distinguished the pastoral work and spiritual physiognomy of Venerable August Hlond, who, taking as his episcopal motto Da mihi animas coetera tolle, as a true son of Saint John Bosco, confirmed it with his life as a consecrated person and bishop, giving witness of tireless pastoral charity.

In this year in which the strenna invites all to cultivate the art of listening and accompanying, the testimony of Venerable August Hlond shines forth as a true guide and pastor of his people, committed to defending the freedom of the Church and the dignity of man in an era marked by great trials and persecutions, such as Poland experienced under the Nazi occupation first, and then under the Communist regime.

The full text of the RM’s letter is available here.