PERSONAL HOLINESS
Blessed Father Ignacy Kłopotowski from his earliest years was deeply preoccupied with the desire to respond to God’s call to holiness. The grace of baptism and his religious upbringing from childhood awakened and developed the experience of closeness to God. Over time, his personal relationship with God grew in intensity, producing rich fruit in his life.
Those around him very quickly sensed and noticed the spiritual richness of the young man. His nobility, courage and piety set him apart from his fellow students. He knew how to suffer for his faith, love of homeland and truth.
For four years he zealously prepared himself for the priesthood at the Lublin Seminary. He completed this formation with mostly excellent grades and a certificate in which it was written that “he proved to be a young man of exemplary manners”. His wisdom and rich personality were also appreciated by the professors of Saint Petersburg Theological Academy. Among this group were: Rector Father Franciszek Albin Symon, Father Prof. Jan Cieplak (later Archbishop of Vilnius), Father Konstanty Budkiewicz and Secretary of the Academy with whom Fr. Kłopotowski had a lasting friendship.
PASTORAL ZEAL
Fr. Kłopotowski’s personal quest for holiness also entailed a tireless concern for the holiness of others. This was manifested in his extensive pastoral activity involving as many of the faithful as possible. Furthermore, in in his daily life he was a witness of selfless love.
Alongside his unparalleled kindness, Fr Kłopotowski’s pastoral zeal was readily apparent. His deep concern for the holy life of the faithful was known not only in Lublin but widely beyond its borders. The population “pronounced his name with adoration” and flocked to his places of visitation in crowds. People were eager to hear the word of God and receive the sacrament of penance.
In 1901-1902 Tsarist officials repeatedly noted in their reports that Fr. Kłopotowski was “a Polish patriot to the point of fanaticism devoted to loyalty to the Roman Catholic Church. […] In the intelligent strata of society, he enjoys extraordinary authority for his industriousness and lively activity in the various charitable institutions in Lublin which owe their prosperity entirely to him. In the lower strata of urban society, on the other hand, he enjoys extraordinary popularity as a distinguished (outstanding) preacher and as a man of energy”.
WORKS OF MERCY
Fr. Kłopotowski was seen to have a thoroughly evangelical attitude towards people in need. The correspondence of the Sisters Servants of Jesus from 1899-1902 marks his inestimable goodness, concern for humanity and compelling example: “Looking at Uncle’s [Fr Kłopotowski’s] boundless devotion and his total self-denial for the glory of God, it was a shame to excuse himself from work”. The Sisters of Charity of St. Vincent á Paulo with whom the Blessed worked, almost throughout his priesthood called him a “priest of mercy”.
In turn, Fr Kłopotowski’s immense contribution to the development of charitable works was noted a little later by Bishop Paweł Kubicki: “Lublin in the development of Christian mercy experienced beautiful times when the great almsgiver Fr. Ignacy Kłopotowski lived there as the rector of the post- Dominican Church”.
PRESS AT THE SERVICE OF SPIRITUALITY
Moving to Warsaw in 1908, Father Kłopotowski already had a wealth of experience on various levels, but especially on the path of spiritual life, as evidenced by his statement: “I leave to Lublin seventeen years of my priesthood. […] In return, I take with me a heavy cross of the most varied sufferings that I underwent in Lublin. I value this cross highly”.
In the new diocese he did not cease to work on his own spiritual progress and to spread Christian values mainly through the Catholic press. He overcame the difficulties which occurred during the development of printing press and publishing team. Cardinal Kakowski, commissioning Fr. Kłopotowski to relaunch the Catholic Review, wrote: “Knowing your, Father Rector, love for the Catholic cause and your ardent service for it for many years, I have no doubt that you will make every effort to revive the beautiful tradition of the Catholic Review and to duly meet the tasks that the present moment imposes on Catholic periodicals”.
PRIESTLY HOLINESS
Among the priests of Warsaw, he had the reputation of a zealous and saintly priest. Those who knew him more closely respected and valued him greatly. He stood out for his pastoral work throughout Warsaw.
This was confirmed by Fr J. Podbielski: “In the opinion of the priests, he was regarded as a man very committed to the Church. […] I always thought of him with adoration. […] A reliable man in whom one felt a personal dignity. […] He loved his priestly vocation and the apostolic and charitable work he did”.
Fr A. Ruran shared the same opinion: “He maintained a beautiful attitude throughout his life. He was a good and holy priest. His great diligence and persistent activity distinguished him among priests”.
Fr. Ejsymont stated that for Fr. Kłopotowski “all that mattered was Christ’s Church, the things of God, the salvation of human souls, but also concern for those who are deprived of all human temporal help”.
Fr. Mystkowski stated that “the fire of supernatural fervour and divine power could be felt in his articles and sermons”.
Fr. Kłopotowski’s influence was also evident towards the youth. Whenever they heard that Fr. Kłopotowski was going to preach, they gathered in large numbers in the church to listen.
SPIRITUAL SISTERS
The greatest spiritual depth and holiness of life was perceived in Fr. Kłopotowski by consecrated persons – both the nuns who had worked with him earlier and also his spiritual daughters.
For the Loretto sisters Father Founder was above all a good father, a man of prayer, a model in behaviour and a holy guide on the way to perfection. Contact with him introduced the sisters to the spiritual world and healed the wounds of the soul. On a daily basis they saw him “celebrating Mass and praying before the Blessed Sacrament with great fervour. He also tried to inspire the sisters with his spirit of faith”.
A CALL FROM HEAVEN
He died suddenly on 7.09.1931 at the age of 65, after 40 years of priesthood.
The sudden death of Father Founder was an incredible shock to the young community of Loretto sisters. They were convinced of his sanctity, hence they prepared materials to initiate the beatification process.
Officially, the beatification process began on 10.12.1988. In 1992 the files were taken to Rome. Between 21.12.1995 and 20.03.1997 the process of the presumed miracle – the healing of Fr Antoni Łatko through Fr. Kłopotowski’s intercession – was carried out in the diocese of Katowice.
“Positio” was submitted to the Congregation on 23.10.2002. The heroic virtues were proclaimed by Pope John Paul II on 20.12.2004. The beatification took place on 19.06.2005 in Warsaw on Piłsudski Square.
Now we have a patron saint in heaven who mediates and helps all who ask him for help.
