Stanislaus, bishop and martyr (1030–1079)

Biography

If this could be affirmed of anyone, there is no doubt that it would be said of Saint Stanislaus that he knew how to know, and, above all, live the temperament and virtues that his people embodied: Poland, and that, to live them and transmit them to his people, he died a martyr. His parents had been married for thirty years without having children, when this wonderful creature came to them. He was born in Szczepanow, near Krakow on July 26, 1030. His parents enjoyed a very good reputation for their honesty and Christian life, they educated him in Christian and human virtues. In them you could see Estanislao progressing day by day. After finishing his studies in his town, he was sent to further them to Krakow and Paris where he managed to graduate. This is how one of the best Polish historians describes him: "He had a sweet and humble character, peaceful and modest; he was very careful to repress his own faults before doing so with his neighbors; he was a soul who never showed pride or let himself be carried away by anger; he was very attentive, of an affable and human nature, of great wit and wisdom and always ready to help those who needed help. He hated flattery and hypocrisy, always showing himself to be simple and open-hearted." His inclination towards piety led him to embrace the priesthood. He was soon the successor of the same Bishop of Krakow, Lambert, who ordained him a priest a few years earlier. On July 2, 1071, he was elevated to the see of Krakow and, although he only governed it for eight years, he left indelible marks on it and on the entire Polish nation, as no other prelate before or after him had done. He knew how to identify with the spiritual values ​​of Poland and for them he did not hesitate until he shed his blood. The holy and brave prelate soon realized that King Boleslaus, who ruled the nation, was a brave and clever man, but that these same qualities had gone to his head and he believed that he was the absolute owner of the goods and people of the entire nation and could do whatever he wanted as he pleased. But the brave Stanislaus stood in his way and, with evangelical fortitude, tenaciously opposed his unjust claims. It was not an easy undertaking that fell to the holy Bishop. The king was angry and arrogant. He believed he was the owner and lord of everything. He committed injustices of all kinds against the poor Poles. With the great gift of strength that filled his spirit, with great tact, with kindness and at the same time with strength he acted. He appeared before the king and begged him to change his position, not to abuse his power... The king was furious. He did not want to listen to him, he had him as an enemy... and he swore to put an end to him.... While celebrating the Eucharist, the king brutally entered the Church and personally murdered him. The Lord came to confirm how pleasant the life and martyrdom of his faithful servant had been to him, since his relics worked many miracles as he had already done while he was alive. In the year 1253 he was elevated to the honor of the altars.