WALKING WITH THE SAINTS l FEAST OF ST. CASIMIR, PATRON SAINT OF POLAND l MARCH 4
How many in our present society would consider royal nobility as unnecessary? Only someone destined by God to a life of virtues and holiness, like our saint for today, who considered royalty as extravagance. Let us ponder on the life of the Prince of Poland, son of King Casimir IV and Grand Duke of Lithuania and Queen Elizabeth of Austria. Casimir Jagiellon was born on October 3, 1458 in the Castle of Wawel, Krakow, Kingdom of Poland, and was brought up as a pious and devout Christian by his devout
parents. He and his brothers studied under the tutorship of a priest and historian Fr. John Dlugosz, whose deep piety and political knowledge influenced their life. The young prince, considered the wealth and royal luxury as unreasonable and a pressure. Instead of enjoying the luxury of the court, he chose
a life of devotion and asceticism. He wore simple clothes with a hair shirt underneath, spend much time in prayer and meditation on the sufferings of Jesus, and would often sleep on the ground as an act of penance. He was also very concerned of the poor in the kingdom and was deeply compassionate to those who were suffering. He even gave many of his possessions to the poor.
Casimir was only 13 years old when the Hungarians asked his father to make him king in their country. Although he was hesitant, he was encouraged to help the Hungarians, who were fighting against the Turks. He accepted the offer, was crowned king, and received help from his father, but he was not successful so he returned to Poland. His father was so mad at him for his failure. After his return, he resumed his studies
with Dlugosz and learned about politics from his father. In 1479, his father left Poland to attend to some state affairs in Lithuania, and left him in charge of the kingdom from 1481 to 1483. Advisers of the king and of the royal court urged him to marry, but he preferred to live a single and celibate life and spent his time in the service of God and the people of the kingdom. Casimir completed his studies at age 16 and spent most of his time with his father. In 1476, he accompanied his father to Prussia to resolve a conflict, then he moved to Vilnius. From
1479 to 1484 King Casimir attended to the affairs of Lithuania. The King tried to arrange Casimir’s marriage to the daughter of Emperor Frederick III, but he refused and preferred to remain celibate. After experiencing symptoms of tuberculosis, he foresaw that he was soon going to die. He prepared himself by
deepening his devotion to God and to his neighbor. He was deeply devoted to the Virgin Mother of God and his favorite song was “Daily, Daily, Sing to Mary.” He died while on his way to Lithuania on March 4, 1484, and was buried at the Vilnius cathedral with the copy of his favorite song. Pope Adrian VII canonized him in 1522. He is the patron saint of Poland, Lithuania and of young people Many churches and chapels were built in his honor: in Poland, Lithuania, United States, Canada, United Kingdom. The Sisters of Saint Casimir are active even now in the United States. There are also centers of learning named after him, and we have a few in the Philippines. In 1984, Pope John Paul II addressed Lithuanian pilgrims commemorating the 500th anniversary of St. Casimir’s death said: “The Church proclaimed Casimir a saint and place him before us not only to be venerated but also that we might imitate his heroic virtues and follow his examples. His witness of great faith and fervent piety continues to have special meaning for us today. His life of purity
beckons you to practice your faith with courage and zeal, to reject the deceptive attractions of modern permissive society, and to live your convictions with fearless confidence and joy.” He “embraced a life of celibacy, submitted himself humbly to
God’s will in all things, devoted himself with tender love to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
