When St. Casimir chose peace instead of war in Eastern Europe

Fr. Alban Butler explains in his Lives of the Saints the story of this 15th-century saint and how he left the front line of war, refusing to push forward to invade Hungary.

His father, King Casimir IV, repeatedly commanded his son to lead his army into battle and claim the throne of Hungary.

St. Casimir refused to have any part in the war campaign and spent a period of time in exile from his father, knowing that if he returned, he would be forced to comply.

After this incident, St. Casimir devoted himself to prayer and study, desiring to lead a more contemplative life.

St. John Paul II pointed out the heroic virtue of St. Casimir in a message he addressed to Lithuanians who gathered in Rome to celebrate the 500th anniversary of St. Casimir's death.

St. Casimir died at the young age of 25 from tuberculosis and is regarded as a patron saint of Lithuania and Poland.