A Journey Through Time: The Inspiring Life of Blessed Boleslawa Lament

Today, January 29, is the feast day of Blessed Boleslawa Lament, a remarkable woman who lived through some of the most tumultuous times in history. Born in 1862 in Lowicz, Poland, Boleslawa's life was a testament to resilience, faith, and unwavering dedication to helping others. She’s one of the amazing women included in my book, Important Catholic Women of the 20th Century, and I loved her story for a few reasons: First, she thought she knew how God was calling her in life, but then, she didn’t. She had doubts. It took her two times of joining a convent before she actually became a nun (with a whole career as a business owner and main-provider-for-her-family in between). As someone who’s never been 100% sure I’m doing what I’m meant to do, this aspect of her story really resonated with me. 

Next, Boleslawa worked towards the unity of Christians long before ecumenism was a thing. Or at least a formal thing. In her part of the world, religion was under attack and it was important for Christians to support each other to survive, not argue about different points of theology or who governed what part of which church. We’re all on Team Jesus - and that is awesome. 

Last, Boleslawa worked so hard and lost everything, not once, but twice. She faced discrimination, persecution, financial ruin and just kept going. She kept going until she was literally paralyzed. And then she still kept teaching. That, my friends, is someone who has resolved her doubts and is determined to do what she’s called to do. Another time: awesome. 

So, grab a cup of coffee, sit back, and let's journey through her incredible story.

Early Life and Family

Boleslawa Lament was born into a large family with seven younger siblings, though sadly, three of them passed away in childhood. This early exposure to loss deeply affected her, shaping her compassionate and empathetic nature. Her mother was kind-hearted, while her father was known for his sternness, traits that Boleslawa inherited. She was both kind and serious, and often bossy with her siblings.

Despite facing discrimination at school due to her Polish Catholic background, Boleslawa excelled academically and graduated with honors. After finishing school, she earned a certificate as a seamstress and opened a tailor shop with her sister Stanislava. However, her life took a significant turn when she felt a calling from God during a religious retreat in 1884. At the age of 22, she joined the Congregation of the Family of Mary.

A Calling to Serve

Boleslawa's time with the Congregation of the Family of Mary was marked by dedication and doubt. She taught in elementary schools and served as a seamstress, but she struggled with her religious vocation. In 1893, she left the congregation and returned home, where she continued to care for the poor and homeless. After her father's death in 1894 during a cholera epidemic, she moved with her family to Warsaw, where she opened a tailor shop with another sister, Maria, in addition to running a homeless shelter. The shop was the primary financial support for her family. She also continued to work with a spiritual director to further her relationship with God. Eventually it was her spiritual director’s idea that Boleslawa should leave Poland. 

Boleslawa's journey took her to Russia, where she met Leocadia Gorczynska and learned the valuable skill of weaving. This skill became a cornerstone of her mission to empower young girls by teaching them a trade. In 1905, she founded the Congregation of the Missionary Sisters of the Holy Family in Mogilev, Russia. The order's goal was to promote Christian unity and serve the poor, with Boleslawa as the first superior, known as Mother Boleslawa.

Historical Context: The Russian Revolution

Boleslawa's life was intertwined with significant historical events, particularly the Russian Revolution of 1917. This period saw the abdication of Tzar Nicholas II and the rise of the Bolsheviks, led by Vladimir Lenin. The revolution brought immense social and political upheaval, with the Bolsheviks attacking religious organizations and persecuting believers. Despite these challenges, Mother Boleslawa and her sisters persisted in their mission, moving to St. Petersburg in 1907 and expanding their work to Finland in 1913.

Challenges and Perseverance

The Russian Revolution and subsequent civil war forced Mother Boleslawa and her order to flee Russia in 1921, leaving everything behind. They returned to Poland, where they faced significant financial and spiritual losses. However, Mother Boleslawa's unwavering faith and trust in God's providence helped them rebuild. By the time she stepped down as the Mother General of the order in 1935, the Congregation had grown to 33 houses with over 170 sisters.

During World War II, the Congregation again suffered considerable material losses and shifted its focus to ministering to those affected by the war, especially homeless children. Despite her declining health, Mother Boleslawa continued to advise and pray for her sisters until her death in 1946. Her legacy of resilience, faith, and dedication to serving others lives on through the Congregation of the Missionary Sisters of the Holy Family, which remains active today.

Lessons from Boleslawa's Life

Mother Boleslawa's life offers us several valuable lessons. First and foremost, her deep prayer life and trust in God's providence remind us that faith can sustain us through the most challenging times. She also demonstrated the importance of humility and selflessness, stepping down from her leadership role when she realized her health was declining.

Her commitment to promoting Christian unity, particularly between Catholic and Orthodox believers, was ahead of its time and remains an inspiring example of ecumenism. Mother Boleslawa understood that Christians are stronger when united, and she worked tirelessly to be a bridge between different denominations.

Finally, Mother Boleslawa's prudence and courage in the face of adversity shows us that we can balance these qualities in our own lives. She knew when it was time to relocate for the good of her mission and wasn't afraid to set a new course when necessary. Her devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus sustained her faith, and she reminds us that even ordinary actions can become extraordinary gifts when offered to God.

Mother Boleslawa Lament's life is a testament to the power of faith, resilience, and dedication to serving others. Her story inspires us to trust in God's providence, remain humble and selfless, and work towards unity and understanding. As we navigate our own challenges, we can look to her example for guidance and strength. Blessed Boleslawa Lament, pray for us!