June 17th- St. Albert Chmielowski, Religious, Third Ord., Founder

Saint Albert Chmielowski was born at Igoalomia, Poland on August 20, 1845 and died at Krakow, Poland on December 25, 1916. He was of a wealthy family and studied agriculture. At age 17 he was injured and lost a leg. Through his interest in politics, he came into contact with the human suffering and misery around him. He became a Franciscan Tertiary, abandoned his painting, and began working with the poorest in Krakow.  In 1887 he founded the Brothers of the Third Order of Saint Francis, Servants of the Poor, known as the Albertines (named for him) or the Gray Brothers (after their rough gray habits). In 1891 he founded the women's congregation of the Order (Gray Sisters). The Albertines organized food and shelter for the poor and homeless. 

More detailed information on this saint and the Albertines may be found here: http://www.albertyni.opoka.org.pl/english.html