Martyr for Truth

On April 11th, the Catholic Church honors the memory of the 11th-century bishop and martyr Saint Stanislaus of Krakow, who died for the Faith at the hands of the Polish king in 1079. He was canonized in 1253.

Saint Stanislaus is a beloved patron of the Polish nation and the Polish people. Saint John Paul II, who was Krakow's archbishop in the See of Stanislaus before becoming pope, often paid tribute to him. In a 2003 letter to the Polish Church, he recalled how Saint Stanislaus proclaimed faith in God to our Polish ancestors and initiated in them the saving power of the Passion and Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Stanislaus taught the moral order in the family based on sacramental marriage. He taught the moral order within the state, reminding even the king that his actions should align with the unchanging law of God. Through Saint Stanislaus, God taught the Polish people to respect the law of God and the just rights of every person.

Born near Krakow, Stanislaus was the son of wealthy, noble parents who showed great zeal and charity in their practice of the Catholic Faith. Their son studied for a time in his own country and went on to study theology and canon law in Paris.

The death of his parents left him with a large inheritance, which he gave away to the poor. After his ordination to the priesthood, Stanislaus served the Church of Krakow in various pastoral and administrative posts.

Following the death of the bishop, Stanislaus was chosen as his successor. He did not want the position but obeyed Pope Alexander II's order to accept it. Having done so, he proved to be a bold preacher of the gospel.

This boldness brought him into direct conflict with Poland's ruler, King Boleslaw II, who was notorious for his violent, scandalous, and depraved lifestyle. After a series of disputes over the king’s behavior, Stanislaus found no success in his efforts to reform him. He then took a decisive step: he excommunicated the sovereign.

Boleslaw responded with furious anger, sending his henchmen to kill the bishop, but they were unable to do so. So, the king took matters into his own hands. He ambushed Stanislaus and struck him down with a sword while he was celebrating Mass.

Saint Stanislaus was soon recognized as a martyr, while Boleslaw II lost his grip on power and left Poland in disgrace.

Saint Stanislaus, pray for us.