Happy Feast of St. Clement Hofbauer!

Today is the feast of St. Clement Mary Hofbauer who is considered a second founder of the Redemptorists for his efforts to establish the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer north of the Alps.

He founded the first Redemptorist house in Warsaw, Poland, where he lived for more than 20 years before fleeing the Napoleonic invasion. He settled again in Vienna, Austria, where he died March 15, 1820.

Read more about him here.

Gracious God, our God of care and compassion for humanity, you filled St. Clement Mary Hofbauer with a special zeal for the well-being of people, especially those who are poor or troubled in spirit. In St. Clement you revealed the richness of your loving kindness and mercy.

Through his intercession, help us to remain true to the Catholic faith, which he so nobly taught. Let us walk in the path that St. Clement marked out by his own life. Hear and answer us, God, through Christ our Lord. Amen.