St. Stanislaus Kostka, Confessor (1568 AD)
Full Name: St. Stanislaus Kostka
Period: 1550 – 1568 AD (Passed away: August 15, 1568)
Feast Date: November 13
Birthplace: Rostkowo, Poland
Significance: Jesuit novice, patron of youth and students, principal patron of Poland.
Youth and Desire for God
Born into nobility, he maintained intense prayer life and stainless purity from youth.
Sent to Vienna, Austria, with his brother to study. Resisting his brother's luxurious, worldly lifestyle, he practiced severe penance and continuous prayer.
Miraculous Vision and Jesuit Vocation
Falling dangerously ill in Vienna, a pagan landlord refused entry to a priest. St. Barbara appeared with angels, miraculously administering Holy Communion and healing him.
Blessed Mary then appeared with Child Jesus, instructing him to join the Society of Jesus (Jesuits).
Overcoming severe opposition from his father, he walked barefoot in simple clothes for about 1,000 miles from Vienna through Germany to Rome, joining the Jesuits under St. Francis Borgia.
Monastic Life and Holy Death
Within 10 months of joining the Jesuits, he amazed everyone by his humility, pure life, and immense devotion to Mother Mary.
He prayed to die on the Feast of Mary's Assumption (August 15). Per his desire, he peacefully passed away into God's arms on August 15, 1568, at age 18.
Spiritual Lesson
St. Stanislaus's life teaches us to reject worldly pleasures in youth, maintain moral purity, and respond promptly and bravely to God's call.