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Saint Adalbert, Bishop & MartyrOptional MemorialApril 23rd Unknown Master, altarpiece painterThe Expulsion of St Adalbert1470-80 -- Tempera on wood, 87 x 99 cmHungarian National Gallery, Budapest Born 939 of a noble Bohemian family; died 997. He assumed the name of the Archbishop Adalbert (his name had been Wojtech), under whom he studied at Magdeburg. He became Bishop of Prague, whence he was obliged to flee on account of the enmity he had aroused by his efforts to reform the clergy of his diocese. He betook himself to Rome, and when released by Pope John XV from his episcopal obligations, withdrew...

  17 September 2004Pre-empting the Buddhists in the sanctuaryby Scott Noto In late autumn 2001, the restoration of the Basilica of St. Adalbert began. Located in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the grand church dates back to 1907, constructed in the heart of a thriving Polish neighborhood on the city’s west side—an area that once teemed with so many Catholics that two other churches are located within a few blocks of the basilica. Today, that area is fondly known as "Steepletown." St. Adalbert’s was raised to the status of basilica in 1979 by Pope John Paul II, the only church in...