Stanislaus was a legend in his day. In 1072 the people of Krakow, Poland, were without bishop, and they begged Pope Alexander II to give them Stanislaus as their spiritual leader, which the pope did.
This well-loved Polish leader, who was so enthusiastically acclaimed, was generous to the poor and the needy. His courage proved itself when he opposed King Boleslauls II for unjust wars, violence, cheating the poor and abducting a nobleman’s wife. King Boleslauls pretended repentance, but his virtue was short-lived. Soon he returned to his old ways of corruption. And Stanislaus, in his ;outspoken way, tirelessly preached the ways of God to the monarch. Enraged by Stanislaus's reprimands, Boleslaus accused the bishop of various crimes.
One story reports that a man name Knight Peter had given an estate to the bishop. Later Peter died. Boleslaus accused Stanislaus of not paying for the property. Stanislaus fasted for three days, ordered the grave of Peter opened, raised him to life, and brought him to court. Peter upheld the good name of the bishop. Still Boleslalus behaved like a tyrant, and Stanislaus had no choice but excommunicate him. Now Boleslaus was furious. The king entered the cathedral where Stanislaus was officiating, and services were suspended. Stanislaus, pursued by the king fled to a chapel outside of town. The king ordered his guards to enter the church and kill the bishop. When they refused, the king boldly marched into the chapel and killed Stanislaus with his own sword.
Stanislaus, a brave witness for Christianity, is patron of Poland. He defended Christ and the Church and spoke the truth, even when it meant his death. Stanislaus was not a man who would lie just to please the authority, the King. Pray often to him that you may love your faith enough to witness it even to the point of sacrifice.
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