Saint of the Day for April 11: Stanislaus (July 26, 1030 â April 11, 1079) Listen to Saint Stanislausâ story here Anyone who reads the history of Eastern Europe cannot help but chance on the name of Stanislaus, the saintly but tragic bishop of KrakĂłw, patron of Poland. He is remembered with Saints Thomas More and Thomas Becket for vigorous opposition to the evils of an unjust government. Born in Szczepanow near KrakĂłw on July 26, 1030, he was ordained a priest after being educated in the cathedral schools of Gniezno, then capital of Poland, and at Paris. He was appointed preacher and archdeacon to the bishop of KrakĂłw, where his eloquence and example brought about real conversion in many of his penitents, both clergy and laity. He became bishop of KrakĂłw in 1072. During an expedition against the Grand Duchy of Kiev, Stanislaus became involved in the political situation of Poland. Known for his outspokenness, he aimed his attacks at the evils of the peasantry and the king, especially the unjust wars and immoral acts of King Boleslaus II. The king first excused himself, then made a show of penance, then relapsed into his old ways. Stanislaus continued his open opposition in spite of charges of treason and threats of death, finally excommunicating the king. Enraged, the latter ordered soldiers to kill the bishop. When they refused, the king killed Stanislaus with his own hands. Forced to flee to Hungary, Boleslaus supposedly spent the rest of his life as a penitent in the Benedictine abbey in Osiak. Reflection Saints John the Baptist, Thomas Becket, Thomas More, and Stanislaus are a few of the prophets who dared to denounce corruption in high places. They followed in the footsteps of Jesus himself, who pointed out the moral corruption in the religious leadership of his day. It is a risky business. Saint Stanislaus is the Patron Saint of: Poland
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A Sacred Call to Rebuild Godâs Church Today, the Church is enmeshed in scandals, a Church in crisisâof authority, credibility, and division. It is greatly in need of the Franciscan values of peacemaking, conversion, minority, and service. As Francis of Assisi knelt before the crucifix in the Church of San Damiano, he heard Christ speak to him from the cross: âFrancis, go and rebuild my Church; as you can see, it is falling into ruin.â Francis looked around at the church, the neglected altar, the broken doors and windows, the debris littered about, and he began to repair a badly damaged building, stone by stone. Pope Francis has understood the metaphor. May we follow his example and find what is ours to do. âfrom Franciscan Spiritâs âFrancis of Assisi, Francis of Romeâ
by Rosemary Stets, OSF |
The Look of Love Reflect In the last part of Danteâs Divine Comedy, as he travels through heaven, Dante comes to realize that it isnât through any effort on his part. Something else moves him through his journey. And that is love. Whenever the pilgrim becomes confused or anxious, he turns to look at his beloved guide, Beatrice. And each time he looks at her, he discovers that she has grown more beautiful. And isnât that how love works? Each time we look at someone we love we seem to see them anew, see them ever more clearly, and ever more beautiful. We areâin a very real senseâtransported by that look, by their beauty, by the leap in our heart that we call love. And as Dante might say, that is the power that âmoves the sun and all the other starsââthe look of love. Pray I give my eyes to you, oh Lord.
Open them to the beauty
and wonder of your creation.
Let me look today with eyes of love
at all who come my way. Act Is there someone you love so much that each time you see their face your heart skips a beat, leaps for joy? What is that sensation but a foretaste of heaven? It could be a friend, a spouse, a schoolmate, or maybe just someone at the park with a beautiful smile. Take a moment to thank God for that smile, that face, that person, that feeling, that transcendent grace the poet might call the look of love. Today's Pause+Pray was written by Herman Sutter. Learn more here! |
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