Saint of the Day: St. Stanislaus of Krakow

Bishop and Martyr (1030-1079)

His life

+ Stanislaus was born near Krakow, Poland, and was ordained a priest after completing his theological studies in Paris.

+ In 1072, he was ordained bishop of Krakow. As a bishop, he was beloved because of his care for the poor and he made frequent pastoral visitations of the clergy.

+ On account of his criticisms about Poland’s King Boleslas II—whom Stanislaus had excommunicated because of his sexual immorality and harsh treatment of his subjects—the king himself murdered Stanislaus as he celebrated Mass in Wawel Castle.

+ Saint Stanislaus was honored as a martyr immediately after his death and he was canonized in 1253.

For prayer and reflection

“He gave them the water of wisdom to drink;
it will be made strong in them and will not be moved;
it will raise them up for ever, alleluia.”—Entrance Antiphon for Tuesday in the Octave of Easter

Prayer

O God, who have bestowed on us paschal remedies,
endow your people with heavenly gifts,
so that, possessed of perfect freedom,
they may rejoice in heaven
over what gladdens them now on earth.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever. Amen.

(from The Roman Missal: Collect for Tuesday in the Octave of Easter)

Saint profiles prepared by Brother Silas Henderson, S.D.S.