Albertine Brothers

Orphaned at a young age, he grew up expecting to take responsibility for the family estates and studied agriculture to this end.

Chmielowski was forced to flee Poland due to the repressive response of the Czarist authorities and moved to Belgium to continue his studies.

By 1887, Chmielowski had decided to abandon his career, to live among the poor and needy and to accept a beggar's life and lifestyle.

At that time, he gathered other men who had expressed interest in sharing his commitment and established the Brothers of the Third Order of St. Francis, Servants of the Poor.

The services they provide are: houses for homeless men, homes for the mentally and physically handicapped and community kitchens for feeding the poor.