Semidouble (1955 Calendar): March 4
Today the Church remembers St. Casimir of Poland (1458-1483). He was born in 1458 third in the line to the throne of Poland. Yet, even his adolescence was filled with acts of penance including sleeping on the ground, spending a great part of the night in prayer, dedicating himself to lifelong celibacy. He lived for a penitential life for Christ. St. Casimir also had a devotion to Mary and a love for helping the poor.
At the age of fifteen, St. Casimir was made king of Hungaria, but he refused to exercise his intense power. His army was outnumbered and deserted because they were unpaid, so St. Casimir returned home. He once again took up intense prayer. He reigned as king briefly during his father's absence and remained celibate his entire life even when asked to marry the emperor's daughter.
St. Casimir died March 4, 1484 at the age of 26 in Grondo, Lithuania of tuberculosis.
Visit the Sisters of St. Casimir for more information
Prayer:
O God, Who didst strengthen holy Casimir with the virtue of constancy in the midst of royal luxury and the snares of the world: we beseech Thee, that by his intercession Thy faithful people may despise earthly things, and ever aspire to those of heaven. Through our Lord.
Prayer Source: 1962 Roman Catholic Daily Missal
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