The Holy Father, Pope Francis has sent a message to His Excellency, Piotr Libera, Bishop of Płock (Poland), on the occasion of the 450th anniversary of the death of Saint Stanislaus Kostka (1550-1568), a Jesuit novice. Saint Stanislaus died on the feast day of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
To my dear brother
His Excellency, Piotr Libera
Bishop of Płock
Today, the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, is the 450th anniversary of the death of Saint Stanislaus Kostka. At the age of only 18, due to a serious illness, he finished his earthly pilgrimage: this pupil of the Jesuit novitiate in Rome, one of the most excellent sons of your country and of the Society of Jesus. Therefore, commemorating his entry into the glory of the Lord, I join in offering a prayer of thanksgiving along with the faithful of the Diocese of Płock and the whole Church in Poland, who will soon be attending the central celebrations of the year dedicated to him which will take place in Rostkowo, the birthplace of the saint.
Taking this opportunity, I would like to address first of all the young people, of whom Saint Stanislaus is a patron. I like to recall the phrase that Saint John Paul II pronounced in the church of Sant'Andrea al Quirinale, when he venerated his relics: "The journey of his short life, begun in Rostkowo in Mazowsze, which passed through Vienna and then went on to Rome, can be compared to a great cross-country race towards the goal of every Christian's life which is holiness (November 13, 1988).
Dear young friends, I know that in September (of this year) many of you will make the pilgrimage on foot from Przasnysz to Rostkowo, from the place of his baptism to the place of his birth. It was, so to speak, the first stage of Stanislaus race towards holiness. I encourage you to remember, not only during this march, but on all the paths of your daily life, that you too are capable of running this race. You too are driven by the love of Christ and strengthened by his grace. Be brave! The world needs your freedom of spirit, your confident gaze toward the future, your thirst for truth, goodness and beauty. Saint Stanislaus teaches you that freedom which is not a blind race, but the ability to discern the goal and to follow the best ways of behaviour and life. He teaches you to always seek friendship with Jesus first of all; to read and meditate on his word and welcome in his Eucharist his merciful and powerful presence and to resist the conditioning of the worldly mentality. Saint Stanislaus teaches you not to be afraid of the risks and dreams of true happiness, whose source and guarantee is Jesus Christ. Jesus is the Lord of risk, he is the Lord of always 'beyond' ... He wants your hands to continue building the world of today. He wants to build it with you (cf Speech during the Vigil of the World Youth Day, Krakow, 30 July 2016). From his place in heaven, may Saint Stanislaus support you, and may his motto inspire you: Ad maiora natus sum - I was born for bigger things.
Dear bother, through the intercession of Saint Stanislaus Kostak, I invoke divine protection upon you, upon all the Bishops and priests, upon the faithful and especially upon the youth of the Church in Poland. I ask you to pray for me, and with all my heart I bless you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
From the Vatican
15 August 2018
Francis
Message of His Holiness, Pope Francis
to mark the anniversary of the death of
Saint Stanislaus Kostka
To my dear brother
His Excellency, Piotr Libera
Bishop of Płock
Today, the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, is the 450th anniversary of the death of Saint Stanislaus Kostka. At the age of only 18, due to a serious illness, he finished his earthly pilgrimage: this pupil of the Jesuit novitiate in Rome, one of the most excellent sons of your country and of the Society of Jesus. Therefore, commemorating his entry into the glory of the Lord, I join in offering a prayer of thanksgiving along with the faithful of the Diocese of Płock and the whole Church in Poland, who will soon be attending the central celebrations of the year dedicated to him which will take place in Rostkowo, the birthplace of the saint.
Taking this opportunity, I would like to address first of all the young people, of whom Saint Stanislaus is a patron. I like to recall the phrase that Saint John Paul II pronounced in the church of Sant'Andrea al Quirinale, when he venerated his relics: "The journey of his short life, begun in Rostkowo in Mazowsze, which passed through Vienna and then went on to Rome, can be compared to a great cross-country race towards the goal of every Christian's life which is holiness (November 13, 1988).
Dear young friends, I know that in September (of this year) many of you will make the pilgrimage on foot from Przasnysz to Rostkowo, from the place of his baptism to the place of his birth. It was, so to speak, the first stage of Stanislaus race towards holiness. I encourage you to remember, not only during this march, but on all the paths of your daily life, that you too are capable of running this race. You too are driven by the love of Christ and strengthened by his grace. Be brave! The world needs your freedom of spirit, your confident gaze toward the future, your thirst for truth, goodness and beauty. Saint Stanislaus teaches you that freedom which is not a blind race, but the ability to discern the goal and to follow the best ways of behaviour and life. He teaches you to always seek friendship with Jesus first of all; to read and meditate on his word and welcome in his Eucharist his merciful and powerful presence and to resist the conditioning of the worldly mentality. Saint Stanislaus teaches you not to be afraid of the risks and dreams of true happiness, whose source and guarantee is Jesus Christ. Jesus is the Lord of risk, he is the Lord of always 'beyond' ... He wants your hands to continue building the world of today. He wants to build it with you (cf Speech during the Vigil of the World Youth Day, Krakow, 30 July 2016). From his place in heaven, may Saint Stanislaus support you, and may his motto inspire you: Ad maiora natus sum - I was born for bigger things.
Dear bother, through the intercession of Saint Stanislaus Kostak, I invoke divine protection upon you, upon all the Bishops and priests, upon the faithful and especially upon the youth of the Church in Poland. I ask you to pray for me, and with all my heart I bless you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
From the Vatican
15 August 2018
Francis
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