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St. Casimir
The Polish prince St. Casimir is the patron of the Miles Jesu men domus members. Although not particularly well-known in the United States today, St. Casimir is an excellent patron for consecrated laymen working in the world. Born at Wawel Castle in Krakow in 1458 and dying only 26 years later, he lived in the early days of the Renaissance and at the height of Poland's golden age. He was the second son of 13 children born to King Casimir IV of Poland and Lithuania and his wife Elizabeth, of imperial Habsburg lineage. Both of his parents, especially his mother, were very pious Catholics and did much to promote Church-related works such as founding churches and cloisters. Unusual in a queen, Casimir's mother was the primary educator and formator of her children in their younger years and taught Casimir herself until he was nine years old. After that he was tutored by a holy priest, John Dlugosz, who was to become known as one of the most important Polish historians of all time. Fr. Dlugosz and other tutors and diplomats who had contact with the young prince witnessed to his scholastic aptitude and intellectual gifts. In their formative years, he and his brothers lived away from the castle with a very simple lifestyle in regards to dress, food, and furnishings. Casimir also developed strong habits of voluntary mortification. As a child he had exhibited tendencies of self-will and stubbornness but with effort brought these flaws under control. In 1475 Casimir's older brother became king of Bohemia (the western half of today's Czech Republic), making Casimir the heir-apparent of the Polish throne. While still in his teens, he was sent by his father to answer the request of some of the Hungarian nobility to accept the throne of that country. Of the opinion that this was the will of the Hungarians and for the good of the Polish empire, he set off to become the next king of Hungary. But by the time he arrived, the Hungarian rebellion had changed its course and his choice was to fight for the proposed throne or to peacefully return to Krakow. Knowing that his father wanted him to fight for the throne, but also that the Pope—as well as the subjects of Hungary—would be against it, he returned to Poland. His father was indeed displeased but they were reconciled; the king returned to the idea of Casimir reigning one day in Poland. He groomed his son for this calling and even left the young man as monarch of the Polish part of the empire for two years while he himself went on extended business to the secondary capital in Vilnius, Lithuania. It is interesting to speculate on how things would have gone if Casimir had lived a normal lifespan. He showed himself willing to serve his earthly king and father, as long as it did not interfere with his heavenly King and Father. In his short life he imitated other kings and queens who have been canonized in his generosity to the poor and the sick, making himself available to them, defending their rights, and helping them materially. He had a deep commitment to virginal chastity. (There is an interesting sidenote here, that Poland had already seen a precedent of a king committed to celibacy. About two hundred years before the time of Casimir, had reigned King Boleslaus the Chaste, married to St. Kinga. who had lived as brother and sister.) But Casimir fell victim to tuberculosis and succombed to the disease while still a very young man. He is buried at the cathedral in Vilnius, and his feastday is March 4. Saint Casimir is a layman who was very much involved in a secular career yet clearly using his office and talents to serve the highest good, and the highest king. He is known especially for the virtue of chastity and is always represented in religious art holding a lily, symbol of virginity. His spirituality was deeply Eucharistic, and deeply Marian. At his request a scroll with a favorite Marian hymn was buried with him, under his head. A small scroll, symbolizing his devotion to Mary, also often appears in his images. He began every day with adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and Mass. It was even a familiar sight to see him kneeling outside a locked church, in prayer, as close to the sacred presence as he could get. A person of high political rank and privileged position, he would not tolerate ambitious “yes men” in his service, nor dishonesty. At the first sign of such behavior he would warn the person and if that didn't work, the person would be dismissed. This young prince from faraway days delivers a message and example that is as fresh and valid now as it was 500 years ago. His calling as a leader in a secular world, his commitment to celibacy, his love for the Eucharist and for Mary, and his use of his career to serve God in ways large and small, make him an ideal patron for the Miles Jesu Domus men. Sources for this article include The Catholic Encyclopedia and several Polish-language sources. saints.sqpn.com http://www.domestic-church.com/ |
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The main patrons of Miles Jesu are the Virgin Mary, St. Joseph, and St. Anthony Mary Claret. There are four co-patrons to whom are especially entrusted the women Domus members (St. Maria Goretti), the women Vinculum members (Servant of God Queen Isabel the Catholic), the men Vinculum members (St. Thomas More), and the men Domus members.