Stanisław Sołtys
Encyclopedia
Saint
Stanislaus of Kazimierz, C.R.L.
, (27 September 1433 – 3 May 1489) was a Polish
Roman Catholic canon regular, theologian and preacher
.
. They lived in the ancient quarter of Krakow
called Kazimierz
, then located on an island, and which was heavily populated by the Jews of the city. He received his early education from the Canons Regular of the Lateran
at their nearby school, which was attached to their monastery
and to the Parish Church
of Corpus Christi
that they administered. Louis went on to receive doctorates in Theology
and Philosophy from the Jagiellonian University
in the same city.
After completing his university studies in 1456, Louis returned to the island and entered the community of canons who had given him his early education, becoming a novice
of the Order. He then took the religious name Stanislaus. His choice was likely due to the island's heritage as the place of execution and shrine
of the popular Saint Stanislaus the Martyr
, a former Bishop of Krakow, to whom he had a strong devotion his entire life.
After his ordination
as a priest, he was named as Vice-Prior
of the community—despite his young age—and Novice Master in charge of new candidates to the Order. Additionally, Father Stanislaus dedicated himself to the care of the sick and the poor, and was noted for the devotion of the religious services he celebrated. He developed a reputation for great spiritual insight as a confessor
. He preached widely in strong defense of the Doctrine of the Real Presence
in the Eucharist
against the preachings of the Polish followers of Wycliff and Jan Hus
. From this, he gained the title, "Apostle of the Blessed Sacrament
". Saint John of Kanty, a colleague of his at the Jagiellonian and a major scientist of the period, was a close friend of his.
, by then elected to the papacy under the name of Pope John Paul II
, beatified
him in 1993. The Blessed Stanislaus was canonized
in 2010 by Pope Benedict XVI
.
Saint
A saint is a holy person. In various religions, saints are people who are believed to have exceptional holiness.In Christian usage, "saint" refers to any believer who is "in Christ", and in whom Christ dwells, whether in heaven or in earth...
Stanislaus of Kazimierz, C.R.L.
Canons Regular of the Lateran
The Canons Regular of the Lateran , formally titled Canons Regular of St. Augustine of the Congregation of the Most Holy Savior at the Lateran is an international religious order of priests and Brothers in the Catholic Church....
, (27 September 1433 – 3 May 1489) was a Polish
Poles
thumb|right|180px|The state flag of [[Poland]] as used by Polish government and diplomatic authoritiesThe Polish people, or Poles , are a nation indigenous to Poland. They are united by the Polish language, which belongs to the historical Lechitic subgroup of West Slavic languages of Central Europe...
Roman Catholic canon regular, theologian and preacher
Preacher
Preacher is a term for someone who preaches sermons or gives homilies. A preacher is distinct from a theologian by focusing on the communication rather than the development of doctrine. Others see preaching and theology as being intertwined...
.
Life
He was born 27 September 1433, the son of a pious couple, Maciej (Matthew) and Jadwiga (Hedwig) Sołtys, who gave him the name Louis at his baptismBaptism
In Christianity, baptism is for the majority the rite of admission , almost invariably with the use of water, into the Christian Church generally and also membership of a particular church tradition...
. They lived in the ancient quarter of Krakow
Kraków
Kraków also Krakow, or Cracow , is the second largest and one of the oldest cities in Poland. Situated on the Vistula River in the Lesser Poland region, the city dates back to the 7th century. Kraków has traditionally been one of the leading centres of Polish academic, cultural, and artistic life...
called Kazimierz
Kazimierz
Kazimierz is a historical district of Kraków , best known for being home to a Jewish community from the 14th century until the Second World War.-Early history:...
, then located on an island, and which was heavily populated by the Jews of the city. He received his early education from the Canons Regular of the Lateran
Canons Regular of the Lateran
The Canons Regular of the Lateran , formally titled Canons Regular of St. Augustine of the Congregation of the Most Holy Savior at the Lateran is an international religious order of priests and Brothers in the Catholic Church....
at their nearby school, which was attached to their monastery
Monastery
Monastery denotes the building, or complex of buildings, that houses a room reserved for prayer as well as the domestic quarters and workplace of monastics, whether monks or nuns, and whether living in community or alone .Monasteries may vary greatly in size – a small dwelling accommodating only...
and to the Parish Church
Parish church
A parish church , in Christianity, is the church which acts as the religious centre of a parish, the basic administrative unit of episcopal churches....
of Corpus Christi
Corpus Christi
-Religion:* Corpus Christi , a Christian feast day, or solemnity which honors the Body of Christ ,-Places and related matters:* Corpus Christi, Texas** Corpus Christi Bay** Corpus Christi International Airport...
that they administered. Louis went on to receive doctorates in Theology
Theology
Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
and Philosophy from the Jagiellonian University
Jagiellonian University
The Jagiellonian University was established in 1364 by Casimir III the Great in Kazimierz . It is the oldest university in Poland, the second oldest university in Central Europe and one of the oldest universities in the world....
in the same city.
After completing his university studies in 1456, Louis returned to the island and entered the community of canons who had given him his early education, becoming a novice
Novice
A novice is a person or creature who is new to a field or activity. The term is most commonly applied in religion and sports.-Buddhism:In many Buddhist orders, a man or woman who intends to take ordination must first become a novice, adopting part of the monastic code indicated in the vinaya and...
of the Order. He then took the religious name Stanislaus. His choice was likely due to the island's heritage as the place of execution and shrine
Shrine
A shrine is a holy or sacred place, which is dedicated to a specific deity, ancestor, hero, martyr, saint, daemon or similar figure of awe and respect, at which they are venerated or worshipped. Shrines often contain idols, relics, or other such objects associated with the figure being venerated....
of the popular Saint Stanislaus the Martyr
Stanislaus of Szczepanów
Stanislaus of Szczepanów, or Stanisław Szczepanowski, was a Bishop of Kraków known chiefly for having been martyred by the Polish king Bolesław II the Bold...
, a former Bishop of Krakow, to whom he had a strong devotion his entire life.
After his ordination
Ordination
In general religious use, ordination is the process by which individuals are consecrated, that is, set apart as clergy to perform various religious rites and ceremonies. The process and ceremonies of ordination itself varies by religion and denomination. One who is in preparation for, or who is...
as a priest, he was named as Vice-Prior
Prior
Prior is an ecclesiastical title, derived from the Latin adjective for 'earlier, first', with several notable uses.-Monastic superiors:A Prior is a monastic superior, usually lower in rank than an Abbot. In the Rule of St...
of the community—despite his young age—and Novice Master in charge of new candidates to the Order. Additionally, Father Stanislaus dedicated himself to the care of the sick and the poor, and was noted for the devotion of the religious services he celebrated. He developed a reputation for great spiritual insight as a confessor
Confession
This article is for the religious practice of confessing one's sins.Confession is the acknowledgment of sin or wrongs...
. He preached widely in strong defense of the Doctrine of the Real Presence
Real Presence
Real Presence is a term used in various Christian traditions to express belief that in the Eucharist, Jesus Christ is really present in what was previously just bread and wine, and not merely present in symbol, a figure of speech , or by his power .Not all Christian traditions accept this dogma...
in the Eucharist
Eucharist
The Eucharist , also called Holy Communion, the Sacrament of the Altar, the Blessed Sacrament, the Lord's Supper, and other names, is a Christian sacrament or ordinance...
against the preachings of the Polish followers of Wycliff and Jan Hus
Jan Hus
Jan Hus , often referred to in English as John Hus or John Huss, was a Czech priest, philosopher, reformer, and master at Charles University in Prague...
. From this, he gained the title, "Apostle of the Blessed Sacrament
Blessed Sacrament
The Blessed Sacrament, or the Body and Blood of Christ, is a devotional name used in the Roman Catholic Church, Eastern Catholic Churches, Old Catholic, Anglican, and Lutheran churches, to refer to the Host after it has been consecrated in the sacrament of the Eucharist...
". Saint John of Kanty, a colleague of his at the Jagiellonian and a major scientist of the period, was a close friend of his.
Veneration
A strong devotion developed to him among the populace of Krakow after his death on 3 May 1489, and he came to be commonly referred to as "Blessed" by the inhabitants of the city. Largely due to the political fortunes of the nation (which disappeared for nearly two centuries), this devotion, however, never received formal approval until the 20th century, when his Cause was formally introduced to Rome by the then-Archbishop of Krakow, Cardinal Karol Wojtyla. This same prelatePrelate
A prelate is a high-ranking member of the clergy who is an ordinary or who ranks in precedence with ordinaries. The word derives from the Latin prælatus, the past participle of præferre, which means "carry before", "be set above or over" or "prefer"; hence, a prelate is one set over others.-Related...
, by then elected to the papacy under the name of Pope John Paul II
Pope John Paul II
Blessed Pope John Paul II , born Karol Józef Wojtyła , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of Vatican City from 16 October 1978 until his death on 2 April 2005, at of age. His was the second-longest documented pontificate, which lasted ; only Pope Pius IX ...
, beatified
Beatification
Beatification is a recognition accorded by the Catholic Church of a dead person's entrance into Heaven and capacity to intercede on behalf of individuals who pray in his or her name . Beatification is the third of the four steps in the canonization process...
him in 1993. The Blessed Stanislaus was canonized
Canonization
Canonization is the act by which a Christian church declares a deceased person to be a saint, upon which declaration the person is included in the canon, or list, of recognized saints. Originally, individuals were recognized as saints without any formal process...
in 2010 by Pope Benedict XVI
Pope Benedict XVI
Benedict XVI is the 265th and current Pope, by virtue of his office of Bishop of Rome, the Sovereign of the Vatican City State and the leader of the Catholic Church as well as the other 22 sui iuris Eastern Catholic Churches in full communion with the Holy See...
.