Patron Saint

St. Stanislaus of Cracow, bishop and martyr

Saint Stanislaus was born at Szczepanów, in the Diocese of Cracow on 26 July 1030. His parents, Belislaus and Bogna, were pious and noble Catholics, who gave him a religious education. He continued his studies at Gnesen and Paris(?). After the death of his parents Stanislaus distributed his ample inheritance among the poor.

Lambert Zula, Bishop of Cracow, ordained him priest and made him pastor of Czembocz near Cracow, canon and preacher at the cathedral, and later, vicar-general. After the death of Lambert he was elected bishop, but accepted only on explicit command of Pope Alexander II. He worked with his wonted energy for his diocese, and inveighed against vices among high and low, regardless of consequences.

Boleslaw II had become King of Poland. The renown he had gained by his successful wars he now sullied by atrocious cruelty and unbridled lust. Moreover the bishop had several serious disputes with the king about a piece of land belonging to the Church which was unjustly claimed by Boleslaw, and about some nobles, who had left their homes to ward off various evils threatening their families and who were in consequence cruelly treated by the king. Stanislaus spared neither tears nor prayers and admonitions to bring the king to lead a more Christian life. All being in vain, Boleslaw was excommunicated and the canons of the cathedral were instructed to discontinue the Divine Offices in case the king should attempt to enter. Stanislaus retired to the Chapel of St. Michael in a suburb of Cracow. The king was furious and followed the bishop with his guards, some of whom he sent to kill the saint. These dared not obey, so Boleslaw slew him during the Holy Sacrifice. Bishop Stanislaus died at Cracow, 8 May, 1079. The body was at first buried in the chapel, but in 1088 it was transferred to the cathedral by Bishop Lambert II. St. Stanislaus was canonized in 1253 by Innocent IV at Assisi.

In iconography of Stanislaus he is vested in episcopal insignia and the sword. He is often represented in a court or kneeling before the altar and receiving the fatal blow. (In our parish church a stained glass window commemorates the martyrdom.) No contemporary biography of the saint is in existence. At the time of his canonization a life appeared written by a Dominican Vincent(?) which contains much legendary matter.

The feast of Saint Stanislaus is on 7 May in the Roman Martyrology, but on 8 May in Cracow, which has a special feast of the translation of his relics on 27 September. His feast in the present General Roman Calendar is April 11. It was raised from an optional memorial to a Memorial at the request of Pope John Paul II, a successor of Stanislaus in the See of Cracow.

Stanislaus is patron of Poland and the city and Diocese of Cracow; he is invoked in battle.

from the Catholic Encyclopedia

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