"Apostle of the Alleghenies."

The Cause of Saint for a Past Priest

Prince Dimitri Gallitzin, born of Russian Royalty and received into the Roman Catholic Church at the age of 17 on the feast of St. Augustine and assumed that name at Confirmation, known now as Demetrius Augustine.  He was sent out from his homeland to travel for two years, he arrived in Baltimore and became interested in the Catholic Church.  He entered the newly established Seminary and three years later became the first seminarian to complete all of his studies in America to be ordained a Priest. 

At the request of Archbishop Carroll, Father Demetrius was transferred to Conewago Chapel where he stayed until 1796 when a sick call took him to the “McGuire settlement” in Western Pennsylvania.  He established a Catholic Community with a few dozen members, a new town named Loretto, and the only Catholic Church, which earned him the moniker the "Apostle of the Alleghenies."

After 41 years of serving the people in the Allegheny Mountains, Father Gallitzin grew the area to well over 10,000 Catholics.  Father Gallitzin died at the age of 70 in 1840.

On June 6, 2005, it was announced that Father Gallitzin had been named a Servant of God by the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, the first step on the path toward possible future sainthood.
 

Intercessory Prayer

O God, light of the faithful and shepherd of souls, who sent Servant of God Demetrius Gallitzin to serve God’s people in the Allegheny Mountains, feeding your sheep by his words and forming them by his example, pour out your Spirit to sow seeds of truth in people’s hearts and to awaken in them obedience to the faith.

May the Gospel continue to be preached and the Sacraments bring power and grace to the faithful. By the example of this man of faith, Demetrius Gallitzin, may your people advance in the path of salvation and love.

Confident of your faithfulness to us, we humbly ask you, our God, to grant us the favor of (name your intention).

May Christ’s saving work continue to the end of the ages, and may we feel a more urgent call to work for the salvation of every creature. We pray this, as did your priest Demetrius Gallitzin, through our Lord Jesus Christ your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.