#november13ststanilauskostka

[anastpaul]

Saint of the Day – 13 November – St Stanislaus Kostka SJ (1550-1568) Jesuit Novice (28 October 1550 at Rostkovo, Poland – between 3 and 4 am of 15 August, feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, 1568 at Rome, Italy from a high fever).  Patronages – • against broken bones• aspirants to the Oblates of Saint Joseph • last sacraments• Poland.   Attributes – Lily, Jesuit habit, Jesus, Most Blessed Sacrament.   St Stanislaus was Beatified on 19 October 1605 by Pope Paul V and Canonised on 31 December 1726 by Pope Benedict XIII.

His father, Jan Kostka, was a senator of the Kingdom of Poland and Lord of Zakroczym; his mother was Małgorzata Kryska from Drobni).   He was the second of seven children. His older brother Paweł (Paul) survived to be present at beatification ceremony of Stanislaus in 1605.   At home, the two brothers were taught with firmness, even severity; its results were their piety, modesty, temperance, and submission.

“I expect great things of him,” wrote St Peter Canisius of St Stanislaus Kostka. He certainly had in mind accomplishments like those of St Francis Xavier and other early Jesuits.   But young Stanislaus died before he could do anything.   Except live for God and become a saint.

Polish nobleman John Kostka was not pleased with the spiritual inclinations of his second son.   He did all he could to discourage Stanislaus’s desire for Christian service. Paul, a brother two years older than he, bullied him and tried to lure him into more worldly pursuits.

On 25 July 1564, they arrived at Vienna with their tutor to attend the Jesuit college that had been opened four years before.   Stanislaus was soon conspicuous, among his classmates during his 3 years of schooling, not only for his amiability and cheerfulness of expression but also for his growing religious fervour and piety.

His brother Paul said during the process of beatification:  “He devoted himself so completely to spiritual things that he frequently became unconscious, especially in the church of the Jesuit Fathers at Vienna.   It is true,” added the witness, “that this had happened at home to my brother at Easter when he was seated at table with our parents and other persons.”  

Among other practices of devotion he joined while at Vienna the Congregation of St Barbara, to which many students of the Jesuit college belonged.  The confidences he then made to his tutor and later to a fellow-member of the Society at Rome, he declared that it was Saint Barbara who brought two angels to him during the course of a serious illness, in order to give him the Eucharist.   He also said that the Blessed Mother came to him in a vision, encouraging him to become a Jesuit.   So much piety, however, did not please the older brother Paul;  his exasperation led him to treat the innocent Stanislaus with violence.   Stanislaus suffered the unjust treatment with remarkable stoicism and patience but there came one night when, after having again suffered the harsh comments and blows from his brother, he turned on Paul with the words:  “Your rough treatment will end in my going away never to return and you will have to explain my leaving to our father and mother.”   Paul’s sole reply was to swear violently at him.  

Thus, upon recovering, Stanislaus determined to join the Society of Jesus.   With Paul in hot pursuit, he fled to Dillingen where Peter Canisius welcomed him.   Then to demonstrate his determination, Stanislaus walked the 350 miles to Rome and there Jesuit general St Francis Borgia accepted him.

Stanislaus kept a journal during his novitiate.   His notes reflect both a youthful idealism and an adult commitment.   Here are a few excerpts:

However, Stanislaus did not complete his training.   Nine months into his novitiate he again became very sick.   Saint Stanislaus had drawn as his monthly patron for August the glorious martyr Saint Lawrence and in his honour he performed daily some penance or devotion.   On the eve of his feast, he obtained leave to take the discipline;  in the morning he went to Communion and then laid before the image of the saint a letter addressed to Our Lady, in which he begged that he might die on her Feast of the Assumption and he prayed Saint Lawrence to present to her his petition.   That night he was seized with a slight fever, which, however, rapidly increased and on Assumption Eve, he received the last sacraments.   Then, as he lay dying, he had brought to him a little book containing a litany in his own writing of his monthly patron saints, whom he constantly invoked.   At 3 a.m. on the Feast of the Assumption, he face suddenly lit up with joy and he breathed forth his soul to the Mother of God, who had come to conduct him to heaven.    His confidence in the Blessed Virgin, which had already brought him many signal favours, was this time again rewarded.   And shortly afterward he died.   Stanislaus was only seventeen years old when he “arrived in his own country to enjoy the vision of God.”

The entire city proclaimed him a saint and people hastened from all parts to venerate his remains and to obtain, if possible, some relics.

(via AnaStpaul – Breathing Catholic)

[anastpaul]

One Minute Reflection – 13 November – The Memorial of St Stanislaus Kostka SJ (1550-1568)

Let no-one despise your youth but set the believers an example in speech and conduct, in love, in faith, in purity….1 Timothy 4:12

REFLECTION – “The first lesson is that there can be great sanctity even in youth.   In other words, God is not only no respecter of persons, He is no respecter of angels.   The essence of sanctity is in the grace that He confers. … God gives His grace to whom ever He wishes, in what quantity He wishes and ours is to recognise His gift and not miscalculate. …There can be great sanctity in youth.”…Venerable Servant of God Fr John A Hardon S.J. from his writings on St Stanislaus

PRAYER – Holy Father, I beg Your grace to achieve sanctity.   Grant me the wisdom to follow Your Son, the fortitude to persevere in all trails but most of all Holy Father, grant me Your grace to obtain eternal life.   Precious youth, St Stanislaus, please pray for us all , amen.

(via AnaStpaul – Breathing Catholic)