Today, March 15, is the commemoration of Saint Clement Hofbauer.
Born in 1751 in present-day Czech Republic, Clement felt called to become a priest early in life. However, his family could not afford such an education. After his father’s death, he then worked as a journeyman, apprentice baker, and househelp at the Norbertine Abbey.
He was making pilgrimages to Rome, where, one time, he met the Redemptorists. He eventually entered the congregation in 1784. He was ordained priest in 1785, together with his friend Thaddeus Hubl.
Clement became a missionary to Warsaw, Poland with several companions from 1786 to 1808, working with the poor, building schools and orphanages.
He once entered a bar, begging for donations to his orphanage. One of the bar’s customers spat on his face. Clement humbly responded, “That was for me. What about something for the orphans?” So struck by Clement’s demeanor, the customer gave a big amount as donation.
He served as spiritual adviser of Venerable Joseph Passerat. With Fr. Thaddeus, he introduced the Redemptorists to Poland. From there, he sent Redemptorist missionaries to Germany and Switzerland. In 1808, Clement and his brothers were forced to leave Poland when Napoleon suppressed religious orders.
He was known as a tireless preacher and spiritual director and was responsible for converting many.
Fr. Clement died of natural causes at age 68 in 1820. Pope Leo XIII beatified Clement in 1888. He was canonized in 1909 by Pope St. Pius X.