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Our patron, St. Casimir, Prince of Poland, is the patron
of Poland and Lithuania. He was born to Casimir IV, the
Jagiellonczyk and Elizabeth of Austria in the Royal
Palace at Cracow on October 3, 1458. His brother,
Ladislaus, became the Bohemian King and later the King
of Hungary. St. Casimir served as Viceroy from 1479 to
1483. Although he could have easily led a life of
riches, he chose a life of holiness, charity and study.
He refused to lead the Polish army against King Mathias
Corvinus of Hungary and his army because he felt the
cause was unjust - the Poles wanted the Hungarian
throne. Because of this, officials confined Casimir to
the Castle of Dobazi, hoping to force him to change his
mind. He did not. Casimir remained totally devoted to
God, refusing to marry. His piety inspired him to write
a hymn in honor of the Blessed Mother. A copy of it was
buried with him. He died March 3, 1484 at the Court of
Grodna in Lithuania. St. Casimir, Prince of Poland is
buried at Vilna where many miracles have been reported.
Pope Leo X canonized St. Casimir. |