Bogumilus
Encyclopedia
Bogumilus, also known as Piotr Bogumił, Bogimilus and Theophilus, was Archbishop of Gniezno and a Camaldolese
monk
.
, Poland
, along with a twin brother, Boguphalus, both of whom would later study in Paris
, France
. Having completed his studies Bogumilus was ordained a priest near Dobrów
. His uncle, who was the Archbishop of Gniezno, made him the chancellor
of Gniezno
. Bogumilus succeededed his uncle as Archbishop of Gniezno in 1167. Bogumilus founded a Cistercian abbey
at Coronawa.
He resigned his see
in 1172, due to opposition by his clergy to what they viewed as his excessive strictness. Bogumilus then joined the Camaldolese
hermits at Uniedow
, Poland
, where he remained until his death. While on his deathbed, it is believed that Bogumilus saw a vision of the Virgin Mary
and Child
, surrounded by a throng of angels, who were inviting him to heaven
.
and veneration
of Bogumilus began almost immediately after his death, especially in Eastern Poland
. Many people prayed for his intercession
for things such as health
, good livestock
and a good catch while fishing
. When they were answered, many faithful visited his tomb and it became a place for local pilgrimage
. Yet it was not until 1625 that the formal process of beatification
began under the Primate of Poland, Archbishop
Maciej Łubieński.
The files were sent to Rome
in 1651, however the process was never completed as the Book of Miracles, which was in the hands of a Count
, by the name of Sebastian Głębocki, was burned at his court in Głębokiem, Kruszwica
. In 1788 a small wooden chapel dedicated to Bogumilus was built, in the wetlands of the Rivers Warta and Teleszyny, near Dobrów
, and still stands till this day. The process of beatification
would remain dormant until 1908, when Stanislaw Zdzitowiecki, the Bishop of Kujawy, reactivated the process. On 27 May 1925 Pope Pius XI
proclaimed Bogumilus, as Blessed
. Later Pope Paul VI
would bestow on Bogumilus the patronage
of the Archdiocese of Gniezno.
There is no definitive evidence, to support this, however, and most modern historians regard Piotr Bogumił, as one historical person, who is venerated in the Catholic Church
.
In support of this view, it is very possible that the Archbishop had been christened
as Peter and might have taken the name Bogumilus as his monastic name. The support for this theory is the fact that this name already had a place of honor in the Camaldolese Order, as the original Bogumilus was a member of the first monastery
of the Order outside of Italy. All the members of this 11th-century community were murdered and are considered martyrs within the Order. An account of their deaths was written by their colleague, Saint
Bruno of Querfurt
, and the memory of these martyred monks would have been still fresh to the Polish Camaldolese monks of his day.
Camaldolese
The Camaldolese monks and nuns are part of the Benedictine family of monastic communities which follow the way of life outlined in the Rule of St. Benedict, written in the 6th century...
monk
Monk
A monk is a person who practices religious asceticism, living either alone or with any number of monks, while always maintaining some degree of physical separation from those not sharing the same purpose...
.
Life
Bogumilus was born of nobility in 1135 at DobrówDobrów, Greater Poland Voivodeship
Dobrów is a village in the administrative district of Gmina Kościelec, within Koło County, Greater Poland Voivodeship, in west-central Poland. It lies approximately east of Kościelec, south of Koło, and east of the regional capital Poznań....
, Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
, along with a twin brother, Boguphalus, both of whom would later study in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
. Having completed his studies Bogumilus was ordained a priest near Dobrów
Dobrów, Greater Poland Voivodeship
Dobrów is a village in the administrative district of Gmina Kościelec, within Koło County, Greater Poland Voivodeship, in west-central Poland. It lies approximately east of Kościelec, south of Koło, and east of the regional capital Poznań....
. His uncle, who was the Archbishop of Gniezno, made him the chancellor
Chancellor
Chancellor is the title of various official positions in the governments of many nations. The original chancellors were the Cancellarii of Roman courts of justice—ushers who sat at the cancelli or lattice work screens of a basilica or law court, which separated the judge and counsel from the...
of Gniezno
Gniezno
Gniezno is a city in central-western Poland, some 50 km east of Poznań, inhabited by about 70,000 people. One of the Piasts' chief cities, it was mentioned by 10th century A.D. sources as the capital of Piast Poland however the first capital of Piast realm was most likely Giecz built around...
. Bogumilus succeededed his uncle as Archbishop of Gniezno in 1167. Bogumilus founded a Cistercian abbey
Abbey
An abbey is a Catholic monastery or convent, under the authority of an Abbot or an Abbess, who serves as the spiritual father or mother of the community.The term can also refer to an establishment which has long ceased to function as an abbey,...
at Coronawa.
He resigned his see
See
See or SEE may refer to:*The act of visual perception*The term "See:" as a form of citation signal*Episcopal see, domain of authority of a bishop*Holy See, the central government of the Roman Catholic Church*See District, Fribourg, Switzerland...
in 1172, due to opposition by his clergy to what they viewed as his excessive strictness. Bogumilus then joined the Camaldolese
Camaldolese
The Camaldolese monks and nuns are part of the Benedictine family of monastic communities which follow the way of life outlined in the Rule of St. Benedict, written in the 6th century...
hermits at Uniedow
Bielany (Kraków)
Bielany , originally a village near Kraków , since 1941 one of its neighbourhoods, located some west of the city centre. Nowadays Bielany is a part of Kraków's Zwierzyniec District.The first written record of Bielany comes from the 12th century...
, Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
, where he remained until his death. While on his deathbed, it is believed that Bogumilus saw a vision of the Virgin Mary
Blessed Virgin Mary (Roman Catholic)
Roman Catholic veneration of the Blessed Virgin Mary is based on Holy Scripture: In the fullness of time, God sent his son, born of a virgin. The mystery of the incarnation of the Son of God through Mary thus signifies her honour as Mother of God...
and Child
Child Jesus
The Child Jesus represents Jesus from his Nativity to age 12. At 13 he was considered to be adult, in accordance with the Jewish custom of his time, and that of most Christian cultures until recent centuries.The Child Jesus is frequently depicted in art, from around the third or fourth century...
, surrounded by a throng of angels, who were inviting him to heaven
Heaven
Heaven, the Heavens or Seven Heavens, is a common religious cosmological or metaphysical term for the physical or transcendent place from which heavenly beings originate, are enthroned or inhabit...
.
Legacy and Veneration
The cultCult (religious practice)
In traditional usage, the cult of a religion, quite apart from its sacred writings , its theology or myths, or the personal faith of its believers, is the totality of external religious practice and observance, the neglect of which is the definition of impiety. Cult in this primary sense is...
and veneration
Veneration
Veneration , or veneration of saints, is a special act of honoring a saint: an angel, or a dead person who has been identified by a church committee as singular in the traditions of the religion. It is practiced by the Eastern Orthodox Church, the Roman Catholic, and Eastern Catholic Churches...
of Bogumilus began almost immediately after his death, especially in Eastern Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
. Many people prayed for his intercession
Intercession of saints
Intercession of the saints is a Christian doctrine held by Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and some Anglican churches, that deceased saints and the Blessed Virgin Mary intercede for believers, and that it is possible to ask deceased saints for their prayers...
for things such as health
Health
Health is the level of functional or metabolic efficiency of a living being. In humans, it is the general condition of a person's mind, body and spirit, usually meaning to be free from illness, injury or pain...
, good livestock
Livestock
Livestock refers to one or more domesticated animals raised in an agricultural setting to produce commodities such as food, fiber and labor. The term "livestock" as used in this article does not include poultry or farmed fish; however the inclusion of these, especially poultry, within the meaning...
and a good catch while fishing
Fishing
Fishing is the activity of trying to catch wild fish. Fish are normally caught in the wild. Techniques for catching fish include hand gathering, spearing, netting, angling and trapping....
. When they were answered, many faithful visited his tomb and it became a place for local pilgrimage
Christian pilgrimage
Christian pilgrimage was first made to sites connected with the ministry of Jesus. Surviving descriptions of Christian pilgrimages to the Holy Land and Jerusalem date from the 4th century, when pilgrimage was encouraged by church fathers like Saint Jerome and established by Helena, the mother of...
. Yet it was not until 1625 that the formal process of beatification
Beatification
Beatification is a recognition accorded by the Catholic Church of a dead person's entrance into Heaven and capacity to intercede on behalf of individuals who pray in his or her name . Beatification is the third of the four steps in the canonization process...
began under the Primate of Poland, Archbishop
Archbishop
An archbishop is a bishop of higher rank, but not of higher sacramental order above that of the three orders of deacon, priest , and bishop...
Maciej Łubieński.
The files were sent to Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
in 1651, however the process was never completed as the Book of Miracles, which was in the hands of a Count
Count
A count or countess is an aristocratic nobleman in European countries. The word count came into English from the French comte, itself from Latin comes—in its accusative comitem—meaning "companion", and later "companion of the emperor, delegate of the emperor". The adjective form of the word is...
, by the name of Sebastian Głębocki, was burned at his court in Głębokiem, Kruszwica
Kruszwica
Kruszwica is a town in central Poland and is situated in the Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship , previously in Bydgoszcz Voivodeship .It has a population of 9,412 people .-History:...
. In 1788 a small wooden chapel dedicated to Bogumilus was built, in the wetlands of the Rivers Warta and Teleszyny, near Dobrów
Dobrów, Greater Poland Voivodeship
Dobrów is a village in the administrative district of Gmina Kościelec, within Koło County, Greater Poland Voivodeship, in west-central Poland. It lies approximately east of Kościelec, south of Koło, and east of the regional capital Poznań....
, and still stands till this day. The process of beatification
Beatification
Beatification is a recognition accorded by the Catholic Church of a dead person's entrance into Heaven and capacity to intercede on behalf of individuals who pray in his or her name . Beatification is the third of the four steps in the canonization process...
would remain dormant until 1908, when Stanislaw Zdzitowiecki, the Bishop of Kujawy, reactivated the process. On 27 May 1925 Pope Pius XI
Pope Pius XI
Pope Pius XI , born Ambrogio Damiano Achille Ratti, was Pope from 6 February 1922, and sovereign of Vatican City from its creation as an independent state on 11 February 1929 until his death on 10 February 1939...
proclaimed Bogumilus, as Blessed
Beatification
Beatification is a recognition accorded by the Catholic Church of a dead person's entrance into Heaven and capacity to intercede on behalf of individuals who pray in his or her name . Beatification is the third of the four steps in the canonization process...
. Later Pope Paul VI
Pope Paul VI
Paul VI , born Giovanni Battista Enrico Antonio Maria Montini , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church from 21 June 1963 until his death on 6 August 1978. Succeeding Pope John XXIII, who had convened the Second Vatican Council, he decided to continue it...
would bestow on Bogumilus the patronage
Patron saint
A patron saint is a saint who is regarded as the intercessor and advocate in heaven of a nation, place, craft, activity, class, clan, family, or person...
of the Archdiocese of Gniezno.
Historical Confusion
Some scholars believe that Bogumilus is the amalgamation of two historical figures by the names of Bogumilus and Peter, one of whom was the Archbishop and the other a monk.There is no definitive evidence, to support this, however, and most modern historians regard Piotr Bogumił, as one historical person, who is venerated in the Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
.
In support of this view, it is very possible that the Archbishop had been christened
Baptism
In Christianity, baptism is for the majority the rite of admission , almost invariably with the use of water, into the Christian Church generally and also membership of a particular church tradition...
as Peter and might have taken the name Bogumilus as his monastic name. The support for this theory is the fact that this name already had a place of honor in the Camaldolese Order, as the original Bogumilus was a member of the first monastery
Monastery
Monastery denotes the building, or complex of buildings, that houses a room reserved for prayer as well as the domestic quarters and workplace of monastics, whether monks or nuns, and whether living in community or alone .Monasteries may vary greatly in size – a small dwelling accommodating only...
of the Order outside of Italy. All the members of this 11th-century community were murdered and are considered martyrs within the Order. An account of their deaths was written by their colleague, Saint
Saint
A saint is a holy person. In various religions, saints are people who are believed to have exceptional holiness.In Christian usage, "saint" refers to any believer who is "in Christ", and in whom Christ dwells, whether in heaven or in earth...
Bruno of Querfurt
Bruno of Querfurt
Saint Bruno of Querfurt , also known as Brun and Boniface, is a sainted missionary bishop and martyr, who was beheaded near the border of Kievan Rus and Lithuania while trying to spread Christianity in Eastern Europe...
, and the memory of these martyred monks would have been still fresh to the Polish Camaldolese monks of his day.