Sługa Boży Ojciec Klaudiusz Franciszek Poullart des Places – patron niezdecydowanych

Abstract

Claudius Francis Poullart des Places was born in Rennes in 1679 and lived only 30 years. He left only a few writings, but abundant in content, which allows us to get to know him. He was the only son, born to a wealthy family. Extremely talented, well-liked and often invited to various meetings, he had enormous potential to make a great career in secular life. An important fact in the formation of his character and spirituality was that Claudius met exceptional people on his way, including Louis Marie de Montfort, who later became a saint and a great worshiper of the Virgin Mary. Poullart des Places went through various spiritual stages, but he ultimately chose the path of the priesthood, which his father would not accept. Faithful to Christ’s call to the priesthood, he dedicated his entire life to performing acts of mercy. In 1703 he founded a Holy Spirit Seminary in Paris, which admitted poor boys with vocations to the priesthood. In the new poor community, Claudius made efforts to maintain high spiritual and intellectual standards. Poullart worked on a par with other brethren in the community. On his way Claudius encountered numerous difficulties that resulted from spiritual weakening and external adversities. With perseverance, prayer and an open attitude to God and to other human beings, he successfully went through those trials, however. Poullart des Places died in 1709 and was buried in a common grave. He remained poor until the end. In 1848, the Congregation of the Holy Spirit established by Father Claudius Poullart des Places merged with the Association of the Sacred Heart of Mary, founded by the Servant of God Father Francis Libermann, which had similar apostolic goals. At present about 3,000 missionaries of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit under the care of the Immaculate Heart of Mary work on all continents. Many young people are at the crossroads of life and ask for directions. One of the best signposts for today’s generation is Claudius F. P. des Places, who lived more than 300 years ago. While on the threshold of a new life, it is seemingly better to cross it without far-reaching commitments. But can a person be fully happy without a noble goal, one that is achieved through toil?