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AN EXCEPTIONAL PERSON- PRINCE VLADIMIR

GHIKA

A Romanian Orthodox prince born in 1873, Vladimir Ghika converted to

Catholicism in 1902. An ardent contemplative and active on all fronts, in

diplomacy, charity and the apostolate, he became a priest, then a prelate in

1931. While still a layman, the Prince obtained two doctorates in Rome, in

philosophy and theology. His writings harmoniously blend the poetry of an

oriental spirit with theological rigour. He died a martyr in Romania in 1954

and his writings have been a real influence on the foundation of our Religious

Family. His beatification process has just been opened.

Prince and shepherd

Born in a palace in Constantinople on Christmas Day, 1873, he was the grandson of the last

sovereign of Moldova. A Romanian Orthodox prince, of French origins through his mother, he

received a refined education, which put him in touch with the internationale elite. During his

brilliant studies in Toulouse and Paris, he discovered the truth for which he had been searching so

long: he officially converted to Catholicism in 1902.

Forerunner of the apostolate of the laity

His conversion saw the beginning of his intense missionary and charitable work. Among other

things, he founded the house of the Daughters of Charity in Bucharest and helped all the poor

people that Providence placed in his way. As a layman, he consecrated a large part of his life to

prayer and his doctrinal formation. In Rome, he obtained from the Dominican university his licence

in philosophy and doctorate of theology in 1905. Pope St Pius X persuaded him not to become a

priest for the time being, because of his aged mother. But the saintly pope had appreciated the

qualities and the radiant goodness of the Prince and encouraged him to develop his apostolate as a

layman, as his prestige was so great among his Orthodox brothers. World War One saw him

struggle with all sorts of misery, as well as diplomacy.

Apostle of the Little Ones...

Vladimir burned with desire to respond to the call of Jesus. In 1923, at the age of 50, by special

permission from Pope

Pius XI who had a

great reespect for him,

he was ordained

priest. In one of his

writings, he put on the

lips of his Divine

Master this phrase

which sums up his

entire priesthood: "0

my priest, how do you

dare to sacrifice Me,

truly and entirely, if

you have not already

sacrificed yourself

truly and entirely?"

Thus began a unique,

obscure and splendid

cycle of epics. He

devoted himself with

unimaginable activity

to the service of all

souls. Catholic or

Orthodox, rich or poor,

mystics or

blasphemers would be

the friends of this

shepherd of royal

blood, infatigable

traveller, traversing up to a quarter of the planet to help a single soul..."Don't try and do a great

work on your own," he wrote, "but be a tool of happiness." He took this "happiness" into the

"zone rouge" of the Parisian suburb where he installed himself in a little railway shed on waste

ground in Villejuif. His heroism and his gentleness did miracles, leading to the foundation of the

parish of Villejuif.

Apostle of the Great...

Cardinal Verdier, archbishop of Paris, appreciated the qualities of his "Prince Vincent-de-Paul" and

put him in charge of the foreigners' church in the rue de Sèvres, responsible for refugees of all

races and ranks. An admired writer, imitated as a spiritual director, he renewed his acquaintance

with Parisian high society which could help him in his new task: Maritain, Claudel, Mauriac, H.

Bordeaux, Francis Jammes, Bergson and Fr Garrigou-Lagrange would have been among his closest

friends.

Daring charity

From 1923 to 1939, his priestly ministry was exercised with an habitual discretion, in the most

difficult of cases: in the midst of anarchists, Satanists, priests who had abandoned the priestly

life...God alone knows the number of conversions of souls transformed by his gentleness, his

patience and his strength.

The Martyr

Mgr Ghika founded a "Fraternity of Saint John", which he installed in the Abbey of Auberive in

Haute-Marne in 1926. This religious family of priests, sisters and lay people, encouraged and

blessed by Pope Pius XI, animated by "the spirit of St John", by the burning soul of its founder,

developed rapidly. But unhappy circumstances put an end to the community in just four years.

Whatever his supernatural qualities, the Prince was not a born organiser! This setback was the

heaviest burden the Prince had to bear in his entire life. World War Two found him in Romania.

With the permission of Cardinal Suhard, archbishop of Paris, he stayed where he was to help

alleviate the new physical and spiritual misery which Providence had put in his way. The terrible

bombardment of Bucharest in 1944 showed his heroic devotion. Communism was installed in

Romania in 1948, and King Michael invited Mgr Ghika to follow him into exile in Paris. But

audaciously, Mgr Ghika continued to celebrate Mass publicly in Bucharest, comforting, converting

and baptising. In 1952, at 80 years of age, he was arrested and disappeared into oblivion in the

Julava prison. He died a martyr on 17 May 1954. The procedure for the Prince's beatification is in

train. Let us hope that it succeeds soon, and let us pray for this intention. God alone knows the

fruitfulness of the Cross accepted with love, and the unexpected heritage devoted to Him alone...

MATERIAL PREPARED BY STUDENTS AVRAM COSMIN AND

SEVERIN ANDREI WITH THE HELP OF TEACHER PAULA-ODILLE

DOGAN, FROM ‚MIHAI EMINESCU’ SCHOOL, ROMAN, ROMANIA.