Today is the anniversary of the death (May 6, 1840) of the Servant of God Father Demetrius Gallitzin, the Apostle of the Alleghenies. He lived, is buried and is considered a priest of the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown in West Central Pennsylvania, and is founder of the Catholic Community of Loretto, PA.
Demetrius Augustine Gallitzin was born in 1770 a Russian prince, son of an ambassador, who converted from the Orthodox Church and entered the Catholic Community. In expanding his educational experiences, he travelled to America, where he saw the needs of the Church in this country. He resolved to devote his life and fortune to the salvation of souls in his adopted country.
Bishop John Carroll had him enter the new St. Mary's Seminary in Baltimore, and he was ordained in 1795, being the first priest trained in the U.S. to receive all orders from tonsure to priesthood in America. His travels took him to Cambria County, were he established the settlement of Loretto (Saint Francis University is located there). He devoted his life to the area.
His cause for sainthood has been established, and in the first step, he has been declared a "Servant of God". I remember visiting his tomb when a student at Saint Francis. He had detractors during his lifetime, but as Gamaliel said ... if the work is of God, there is no stopping it. The good work of Prince Gallitzin continues even today.
Servant of God, Demetrius Gallitzin, pray for us.
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Blessed John Paul II facts: Did you know that John Paul proclaimed 1,338 individuals blesseds in 147 beatification ceremonies ... and created 482 saints in 51 canonization ceremonies. This is more than any other pope. These people that he lifted to our attention, from all walks of life and circumstances, added to our spiritual heroes.
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