May 16 | Saint Andrew Bobola

Welcome, young history buffs and curious minds, to My Daily Saint, the podcast that digs deep into the incredible lives of the saints, those remarkable people who shaped history and continue to inspire us today. Forget dusty old portraits and boring stories. Today, imagine you are standing in a cemetery in the year 1719. Gravediggers are pulling a heavy, dirt-caked coffin out from the ground. It has been buried for over 60 years. When they pry off the lid, expecting to see nothing but dust and bones, they all freeze in absolute shock.

The body inside looks like the man just fell asleep yesterday. The body is completely incorrupt. Who is this mystery man who defied decay? To answer that, we have to travel back in time to an incredibly violent and dangerous day, May 10, 1657.

A priest is standing at the altar, peacefully celebrating Mass. Suddenly, the doors are kicked open. Two fierce warriors, Cossacks, storm the church. They grab the priest right from the altar. They don't just arrest him, they tie him up and drag him behind their running horses or All the way to a torture chamber. Despite being partially flayed, this tough-as-nails priest absolutely refuses to renounce his faith. This unyielding hero is Saint Andrew Bobola, and today we're unpacking his incredible story. Let's rewind a bit to see how he got there.

Andrew Bobola was born in Poland around 1590 to a noble family. Andrew had the ticket to a comfortable life of fancy clothes and absolute luxury. But he wanted something more meaningful. So, in 1622, he left the rich life behind and joined the Jesuit order to become a missionary.

Three years later, in 1625, Andrew packed his bags and traveled to Vilna, Lithuania. He went there to continue his training and to serve as a missionary. By 1630, he professed his final vows and was even made a superior of the Jesuits in a place called Broboisk. Andrew was a man of the people. He distinguished himself through his incredible leadership and his deep consideration for the poor. Imagine a devastating disease sweeping through your town. Most people would run away to protect themselves, right?

Not Andrew. When a terrifying plague struck, he ran towards the danger, specifically caring for the victims of the plague. After showing his bravery during the plague, Andrew went on to do what he is most famous for, his incredible missionary work in the Orthodox community.

For 20 years, he lived among the Lithuanian communities, teaching the Catholic faith and working closely with the people. He was so convincing, so passionate, and so full of the Holy Spirit that he often converted entire parishes to Catholicism.

But being that successful in spreading his faith made him a target. And that brings us back to that terrifying day on May 10, 1657. When the Cossacks kidnapped him during Mass and dragged him behind their horses, they wanted to break him. They tortured him terribly, demanding that he abandon his Catholic faith. But Andrew's faith was unbreakable. He refused to renounce what he believed, choosing instead to die as a heroic martyr.

Andrew's sacrifice was not forgotten. Remember that dramatic coffin opening in 1719? That was Andrew's body being exhumed, and discovering he was incorrupt was a powerful sign to the world of his holiness. His earthly journey ended with incredible honor. In 1938, Pope Pius XI officially canonized him as a saint. Today, his incorrupt body rests in the Jesuit church of Bethlehem. In Krakow, Poland.

It can be hard to relate to being dragged by horses or fighting a plague. But think about the core of St. Andrew Bobola's life. When people were sick and terrified during the plague, he didn't run away. He stepped up. He showed deep consideration for the poor and the suffering. This week, look for someone who is isolated, struggling, or plagued by something difficult. Don't run away from the awkwardness. Step up, be a leader, and offer them your care and consideration, just like St.

Andrew did. You don't have to be a noble or a famous missionary to change someone's world. You just have to be willing to care. Thank you for joining us on My Daily Saint. We look forward to sharing another incredible story of faith and courage with you tomorrow.