Patron Saint Stanislaus of Krakow

St. Stanislaus of Krakow lived during the eleventh century. He was the Bishop of Krakow when he was accused of treason. St. Stanislaus was found guilty by the royal court and sentenced to death by dismemberment. King Goleslaw himself cut Saint Stanislaus to pieces.

St. Stanislaus was later named patron saint of Poland for his holiness and his courage at defying a licentious, evil king.

St. Stanislaus Remembered

St. Stanislaus was the first Polish person to be canonized a saint. For this reason, the Polish people honor him as their patron saint. St. Stanislaus is also the patron saint of soldiers in battle. Many Catholics recite prayers for St. Stanislaus and wear a St. Stanislaus medal or a St. Stanislaus necklace in his honor. Wearing a St. Stanislaus pendant is a reminder of how this holy man forced a cruel king into exile, sacrificing his own safety to do it.

The body of St. Stanislaus was moved to the Cathedral of Cracow in 1088. Many miracles have been associated to St. Stanislaus. Many Catholics make pilgrimages to his tomb and pray for intercessions and miracles.

The feast days of St. Stanislaus are celebrated on May 7 and May 8. Polish people pray for the intercession of St. Stanislaus in regard to Poland as a nation and freedom of religion for the Polish people. St. Stanislaus fought church oppression in much the same way as St. Thomas Becket did in England. Both of these saints were martyred by their kings.

Prayer for St. Stanislaus

O God, for Whose honor the glorious Bishop Stanislaus
fell under the swords of the wicked;
grant, we beseech Thee,
that all who implore his aid,
may obtain an answer to their prayers.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son,
Who liveth and reigneth with Thee
in the unity of the Holy Ghost,
world without end. Amen.