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Also known as: Stanislaus
Szczepanowsky
Profile
His parents, Belislaus and Bogna, pious and noble Catholics, gave him a
religious education. He made his studies at Gnesen and Paris(?). After the
death of his parents he distributed his ample inheritance among the poor.
Lambert Zula, Bishop of Cracow, ordained him priest and made him pastor of
Czembocz near Cracow, canon and preacher at the cathedral, and later,
vicar-general. After the death of Lambert he was elected bishop, but
accepted only on explicit command of Pope Alexander II. He worked with his
wonted energy for his diocese, and inveighed against vices among high and
low, regardless of consequences. Boleslaw II had become King of Poland.
The renown he had gained by his successful wars he now sullied by
atrocious cruelty and unbridled lust. Moreover the bishop had several
serious disputes with the king about a piece of land belonging to the
Church which was unjustly claimed by Boleslaw, and about some nobles, who
had left their homes to ward off various evils threatening their families
and who were in consequence cruelly treated by the king. Stanislaus spared
neither tears nor prayers and admonitions to bring the king to lead a more
Christian life. All being in vain, Boleslaw was excommunicated and the
canons of the cathedral were instructed to discontinue the Divine Offices
in case the king should attempt to enter. Stanislaus retired to the Chapel
of St. Michael in a suburb of Cracow. The king was furious and followed
the bishop with his guards, some of whom he sent to kill the saint. These
dared not obey, so Boleslaw slew him during the Holy Sacrifice. The body
was at first buried in the chapel, but in 1088 it was transferred to the
cathedral by Bishop Lambert II.
Born: 1030 as Stanislaus Szczepanowsky at Cracow, Poland
Died: murdered in 1079
Canonized: 1253 by Innocent IV at Assisi.
Patronage: Archdiocese of Cracow Poland, Poland
Representation: bishop being hacked to pieces at the foot of an
altar
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