St. Stanislaus Medal

St. Stanislaus Biography

St. Stanislaus, also known as St. Stanislas, was a bishop and martyr of the Catholic Church, who lived in the 11th century in Poland. He is the patron saint of Poland, the city of Kraków and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Kansas City-Saint Joseph. He was born in the city of Szczepanów, in the region of Lesser Poland, in the year 1030.

St. Stanislaus was ordained a priest and later became the bishop of Kraków. During his tenure as bishop, he was known for his strong defense of the Church and the rights of the poor and oppressed. He was particularly critical of the moral corruption and abuse of power by the Polish king Boleslaus II the Bold.

In 1079, King Boleslaus II ordered the murder of St. Stanislaus for his criticism. He was killed while celebrating Mass in the cathedral of Kraków. After his death, he was venerated as a martyr and his cult quickly spread throughout Poland and other parts of Europe. He was canonized as a saint by Pope Innocent IV in 1253.

St. Stanislaus’ cult became very popular in Poland and he is seen as a symbol of Polish identity and cultural heritage. His tomb in Kraków became a site of pilgrimage and devotion, and the Cathedral of Kraków was built on the site of his martyrdom.

St. Stanislaus was also known for his devotion to the poor and for his charitable works. He had a strong sense of social justice and worked to alleviate the suffering of the poor and oppressed. His concern for the poor is evident in his writings, where he emphasizes the importance of caring for the poor and the marginalized.

St. Stanislaus was also known for his work in education and culture. He is credited with founding several schools, including the Kraków Academy, which later became the Jagiellonian University, one of the oldest in Central Europe. He is also credited with promoting the use of the Polish language in the liturgy and other religious texts, which helped to promote the growth of a distinct Polish culture.

St. Stanislaus is widely revered as the patron saint of Poland and the city of Kraków and his feast day is celebrated on April 11th. He is also the patron saint of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Kansas City-Saint Joseph, Missouri, US. Many churches, schools, and other institutions in Poland and around the world bear his name.

The legacy of St. Stanislaus continues to be honored in Poland, where he is remembered as a national hero and a symbol of Polish identity, his heroic actions as a Bishop and his devotion to the poor and oppressed are still remembered as inspiration to the Polish people.

The Life of St. Stanislaus

St. Stanislaus Sazepanowski was born on July 26, 1030, at Sezepanow, a small town near Cracow, Poland. His parents had prayed for a child for thirty years before God answered their prayers. In thanksgiving, they offered him from his birth to God and educated him at Gnesen and in Paris to be a Priest.

Upon the death of his parents, Stanislaus received Holy Orders from the Bishop of Cracow who made him Rector of his Cathedral, and shortly his preacher and Vicar-General. When the Bishop died, the King, clergy and people appealed to Pope Alexander II that Stanislaus be chosen to fill the post of Bishop of Cracow.

St. Stanislaus Patron Saint of Poland

Not wishing to resist the Will of God, St. Stanislaus obeyed, and was consecrated Bishop in 1072. He was most charitable to the poor. Annually he made a visitation of his Diocese and no irregularity escaped his notice.

Boleslaus II was then reigning as King of Poland, leading a lustful, cruel life. Bishop Stanislaus openly rebuked him for carrying off the wife of one of his nobles, and threatened excommunication if he continued in his sinful ways. The King, in a violent rage, vowed revenge.

Some years previously the Bishop had purchased an estate of a gentleman named Peter and gave it to his church. The nephews of the deceased Peter were inveigled to accuse the Bishop of not having paid for the estate. The cause was pleaded before the King, but the accusers failed to appear. The Bishop promised to bring the dead man to court within three days to testify for him. Historians say that after three days of fasting and prayer the Bishop ordered the grave of Peter to be opened, raised him to life and brought him into open court, where he declared that Saint Stanislaus had bought and paid for the land.

After the trial, he led Peter back to his grave, and he returned to his former state. For a while the King was reconciled, but before long he again treated his subjects like a tyrant. The Bishop’s many rebukes were of no avail; the King threatened him with death if he continued to disturb him. Failing to reform his life, Stanislaus excommunicated the King.

Defiantly, he went to the chapel where the Bishop was saying Mass on May 8, 1079. The King ordered his guards to kill the Bishop, but on entering the chapel and seeing a light from heaven they refused to execute the order. After this occurred three times, Boleslaus himself rushed in and slew the Saint at the altar with his own hand. Poland was then placed under an interdict by the Holy See. Boleslaus, detested by his subjects, fled the country and died miserably. St. Stanislaus was immediately recognized as a Saint and a Martyr by the entire Polish nation. He was canonized in 1253.

The Royal Order of St. Stanislaus of Poland

The 2nd highest honor Poland awards to it’s citizens is named in honor of Saint Stanislaus. The Royal Order of Saint Stanislaus has been awarded to individuals since 1765 for acts of great bravery and service. The St. Stanislaus Medal and medallion features either the image of St. Sanislaus or a monogram insignia of “SS” in honor of the saint. The Royal Order of Saint Stanislaus wear their St. Stanislaus Medal as a symbol of great honor.

Popular St. Stanislaus Medal and St. Stanislaus Rosary

Praying with a St. Stanislaus Medal or St. Stanislaus Rosary is spiritual invocation for Saint Stanislaus to intercede for your prayers. The feast day of St. Stanislaus is April 11th. St. Stanislaus is the patron saint of Poland.

Wear a St. Stanislaus Medal every day or pray with a St. Stanislaus Rosary and rosary bracelet to invoke the spiritual intercession of St. Stanislaus for your prayer intentions. What a beautiful way to feel connect to St. Stanislaus as your patron saint. Our St. Stanislaus Medals are made of high quality metals and are proudly made in the United States

Prayers to St. Stanislaus
Prayer of intercession before you put on a St. Stanislaus Medal

Saint Stanislaus, gracious intercessor before God, defender of the oppressed and patron of those in mortal danger, you always zealously served Jesus and His Immaculate Mother for the salvation of immortal souls, and you took pity on every misery. Trusting in your intercession, I have recourse to you, and I ask that you do not deny me your help. By your earnest prayers, obtain for me from God the grace… for which I beg you with trust, and help me, all my life long, to fulfill the will of the Heavenly Father. Amen.

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Prayer of Intercession to St. Stanislaus

O God, in your providence, You have called your priest, St. Stanislaus, to make known the honor of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary and to assist the souls in Purgatory. Following the example of his apostolic life, grant, we pray, that we may also proclaim the fullness of innocence and sanctity of the Mother of your Son, and invoking your mercy for the departed, may we safely arrive at our true homeland. Through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

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Prayer to Saint Stanislaus as your Patron Saint

Saint Stanislaus, my patron most tender and most powerful, angel of purity and seraph of love, I rejoice with thee in thy happy death, a death caused by thy longing to see Mary who was taken up bodily into heaven, and consummated by a mighty impulse of love toward her. I give thanks unto Mary who was pleased to hear and answer thy prayers, and I implore thee, by the glory of that thy happy death, to be the advocate and patron of my death. Intercede with Mary for me that my death, if not so happy as thine, may at least be peaceful under the protection of Mary, my Advocate, and of thee my special patron.

Prayer to St. Stanislaus

St. Stanislaus,

You were a man of great faith, always striving to live a life that was pleasing to God. I ask for your intercession as I seek to deepen my own faith and to live a life that is pleasing to the Lord.

May your example inspire me to be a person of strong faith, steadfast devotion, and unwavering commitment to the Lord.

Amen.

Prayer to St. Stanislaus

Dear St. Stanislaus,

You were a man of justice, fighting for the rights of the oppressed and seeking to bring about righteousness. I ask for your intercession as I seek to be a person of justice, always striving to right wrongs and bring about peace.

May your example inspire me to be a person of courageous action, steadfast determination, and unwavering commitment to justice.

Amen.

Prayer to St. Stanislaus

O St. Stanislaus,

You were a man of great mercy, always reaching out to those in need and offering your help. I ask for your intercession as I seek to be a person of compassion and kindness, always looking for ways to help those in need.

May your example inspire me to be a person of generous spirit, loving service, and compassionate action.

Amen.

St. Stanislaus: Patron Saint of Poland

St. Stanislaus, also known as St. Stanislaus of Szczepanów, is the patron saint of Poland. He was a bishop in the 11th century and is remembered for his bravery and unwavering devotion to the Catholic Church.

St. Stanislaus was known for speaking out against the corruption and injustices committed by King Boleslaus the Bold. Despite facing opposition from the king and his followers, St. Stanislaus stood firm in his beliefs and refused to back down. This ultimately led to his martyrdom, as he was killed by the king for his refusal to remain silent.

Despite his untimely death, St. Stanislaus’ legacy lived on as he became a symbol of bravery and determination for the Polish people. He was canonized as a saint by the Catholic Church and is now recognized as the patron saint of Poland, inspiring the country and its people to remain steadfast in their faith and to fight against any injustice they may encounter.

In recognition of his bravery and unwavering devotion to the Catholic Church, St. Stanislaus is also recognized as the patron saint of bishops, Poland, and those who are unjustly accused.

Reflection on the feast day of St. Stanislaus

The feast day of St. Stanislaus is celebrated on April 11th in the Catholic Church.

St. Stanislaus was a bishop and martyr in the early days of Christianity. He was born in the 10th century in Poland and was appointed as the bishop of Krakow. He is known for his strong defense of the rights of the Church and the poor, and for his efforts to reform the clergy. He was martyred by King Boleslaus the Bold in 1079, and is considered a patron saint of Poland and the Archdiocese of Krakow.

On the feast day of St. Stanislaus, we are reminded of the importance of standing up for what is right, even in the face of adversity. St. Stanislaus was a man of great courage and conviction, who was willing to risk his own life to defend the Church and the poor. He is a powerful example of what it means to be a true servant of God, and a reminder that we are called to be the same.

In today’s world, there are still many challenges that threaten the Church and the poor. Corruption, greed, and injustice continue to plague our society, and it can be easy to become discouraged and feel powerless. But just as St. Stanislaus stood up for what was right, we too are called to be beacons of hope and light in the darkness. We can make a difference by standing up for the marginalized, the oppressed, and the forgotten. We can also make a difference by working to reform the Church, to make it a more just and loving institution.

In conclusion, let us be inspired by the example of St. Stanislaus, to defend the Church and the poor, to be courageous in the face of adversity, to stand up for what is right and to be the beacon of hope and light in the darkness. May his intercession guide us to be the true servants of God.

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You may also be interested in reading the Biography of St. John Paul II. St. Stanislaus and St. John Paul II share a connection as they both hail from Poland. St. Stanislaus is the patron saint of Poland, and St. John Paul II was the Pope from Poland. Next up: Biography of St. Stephanie

 

Also check out our handmade St. Stanislaus Medal and St. Stanislaus Rosary and St. Stanislaus Rosary Bracelet .