CASIMIR of Poland

Memorial: 4 March
Profile: Fifteenth century Polish prince. Grand Duke of Lithuania in 1471. Third in line for the throne. Lived a highly disciplined, even severe life, sleeping on the ground, spending a great part of the night in prayer, dedicating himself to lifelong celibacy. He had a great devotion to Mary, supported the poor, and lived a virtuous life amid the dissolute court.

Hungarian nobles prevailed upon Casimir's father to send his 15-year-old son to be their king; Casimir obeyed, taking the crown, but refusing to exercise power. His army was outnumbered, his troops deserting because they were not paid. Casimir returned home, and was a conscientious objector from that time on.

Returned to prayer and study, maintained his decision to remain celibate even under pressure to marry the emperor's daughter. Reigned briefly as king during his father's absence.
Born: 3 October 1458
Died: 4 March 1484 at Grondo, Lithuania of tuberculosis; buried in cathedral of Vilna.
Name Meaning: show forth peace (Slavic)
Canonized: 1522
Patronage: against plague, bachelors, kings, Lithuania, plague, Poland, princes
Representation: crown; lily
Additional Information: Google Directory
Catholic Online
Catholic Online
Domestic Church, by Catherine Fournier
New Catholic Dictionary
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Readings: By the power of the Holy Spirit, Casimir burned with a sincere and unpretentious love for almighty God. So rich was his love and so abundantly did it fill his heart, that it flowed out from his inner spirit toward his fellow men. As a result, nothing was more pleasant, nothing more desirable for him, than to share his belongings, and even to dedicate and give his entire self to Christ's poor, to strangers, to the sick, to those in captivity, and to all who suffer. To widows, orphans, and the afflicted, he was not only a guardian and patron but a father, son, and brother.

He actively took up the cause of the needy and unfortunate and embraced it as his own; for this reason the people called him the patron of the poor. Though the son of a king and descendant of a noble line, he was never haughty in his conversation or dealings with anyone, no matter how humble or obscure.

He always preferred to be counted among the meek and poor of spirit, among those who are promised the kingdom of heaven, rather than among the famous and powerful men of this world.

from a biography of Saint Casimir written by a contemporary

Catholic Online Saints

St. Casimir
d. b: 1461 d: 1484 Feastday: March 4

Patron of Poland and Lithuania

Casimir grew up in a world where his life was not his own. As a prince of Poland, the second son of King Casimir IV and Elizabeth of Austria, his life was scheduled to cement his father's authority and increase Poland's power.

Casimir realized from an early age that his life belonged to someone else, but to a much higher King than his father. Despite pressure, humiliation, and rejection, he stood by that loyalty through his whole life.

Born the third of thirteen children in 1461, Casimir was committed to God from childhood. Some of that commitment was the result of a tutor, John Dlugosz, whose holiness encouraged Casimir on his own journey.

It may be hard for us to imagine royal luxury as a pressure. But for Casimir, the riches around him were temptations to forget his true loyalties. Rebelling against the rich, fashionable clothes he was expected to enjoy, he wore the plainest of clothes.

Rejecting even ordinary comforts, he slept little, spending his nights in prayer. And when he did sleep, he lay on the floor not on a royal bed. Even though he was a prince, many of those around him must have laughed and joked at his choices. Yet, in the face of any pressure, Casimir was always friendly and calm.

Though his father must have wondered about him, he must have seen and admired Casimir's strength. He showed that he misunderstood this strength when he sent Casimir as head of an army to take over the throne of Hungary at the request of some nobles there. Casimir felt the whole expedition was wrong but was convinced to go out of obedience to his father. He could not help but feel at every step that it was disobedient to his other Father. So when soldiers started deserting, he was only too glad to listen to the advice of his officers and turn back home. His feelings were confirmed when he discovered that Pope Sixtus IV had opposed the move.

His father, however, was furious at being deterred from his plans and banished Casimir to a castle in Dobzki, hoping that imprisonment would change Casimir's mind. Casimir's commitment to what he believed was right only grew stronger in his exile and he refused to cooperate with his father's plans any more despite the pressure to give in. He even rejected a marriage alliance his father tried to form. He participated in his true King's plans wholeheartedly by praying, studying, and helping the poor.

He died at the age of 23 in 1484 from lung disease. He was buried with his favorite song, a Latin hymn to Mary called "Omni die dic Mariae" which we know as "Daily, Daily Sing to Mary." Because of his love for the song, it is known as the Hymn of St. Casimir though he didn't write it.

Casimir is patron saint of Poland and Lithuania.

In His Footsteps:
Where do your loyalties lie? Is there a part of your life where you feel your loyalties divided and feel pressure to follow worldly commitment? Today choose the action that best serves Christ the King.

Prayer:
Saint Casimir, help us to remember that our true King is Jesus Christ and always serve him with joy and love. Help us to turn to our true Father for guidance and protection. Amen

From domestic Church link above:

Saint Casimir
Feast Day: March 4
Patron of: Poland, homeland of our Pope! Also Lithuania.
Symbol: Lily (for purity)

Young Families

Saint Casimir was born Prince Casimir on October 5, 1458. He was the third child of thirteen children in the family of King Casimir III of Poland. His mother was named Elizabeth, she was a princess of Austria.

Even when Casimir was a young boy, he preferred prayer and good works to the luxury and comfort of the court life. He practiced many mortifications in secret. A mortification is something you do to make yourself a little bit uncomfortable all the time. It helps to remind you to be aware of God, to pray all the time, and offer the discomfort to God for the suffering of souls.

Casimir was educated by John Dugloss, a holy man called the Canon of Cracow. He was also very good friends with John, and asked his advice on many things. He was especially devoted to the Blessed Virgin, and sang a hymn to Mary so often it became known as the 'Hymn of Saint Casimir.' Some people say that he composed the hymn himself.

When Saint Casimir was almost fifteen years old, his father ordered him to lead an army into Hungary. The people there were dissatified with their king and had asked King Casimir III for Saint Casimir to become their king. Casimir didn't want to go, but in obedience to his king and father, he went to Hungary.

By the time he got there, the people of Hungary had settled their disagreements with their king, Matthias. King Casimir wanted Saint Casimir to take over Hungary anyway, but the saint refused to replace a lawful monarch. He returned to Poland and went to the castle of Dobzki, where he stayed for the rest of his life, praying, fasting, and helping the poor.

Casimir died in 1482 , of tuberculosis when he was 24 years old, having spend his life serving a King higher than his father.

Practiced Families

What would you do if your King (or President) ordered you to do something you didn't want to do? What if you thought it might be the wrong thing to do? Many people have faced these dilemmas, and solved them in different ways. Even right now, with another war in the Gulf area a possibility, people are talking and thinking about this problem.

Saint Casimir solved it this way. He was the third child of the thirteen children of King Casimir III of Poland. As he grew up, and under the tutoring of the Canon of Cracow, John Dugloss, Casimir was devout in his faith. His love for Jesus Christ was expressed in many private mortifications, and his concern for the poor of his country.

When Casimir was only fourteen years old, and already well educated in both his faith, and the responsibilities of royalty, when his father ordered him to lead an army to Hungary. The nobles of Hungary were dissatisfied with their King, Matthias and had petitioned King Casimir III to send them Saint Casimir for the throne of Hungary. Unwilling but obedient, Casimir lead an army of 20,000 men to the borders of Hungary.

There, he learned that not only had the nobles of Hungary settled their differences with King Matthias, but the the King had formed an army which was marching to defend the borders. It was no longer lawful for Saint Casimir to attempt to take the throne of Hungary, so he returned to Poland.

King Casimir was displeased with his son and ordered him to return to Hungary. Saint Casimir refused, and instead, went into seclusion in the castle of Dobzki. He remained there for the rest of his life, in spite of his father's requests and orders. Having nearly committed an unjust and improper act in obedience to his father once, Saint Casimir was determined not to do so again.

He returned to his practices of piety and good works, sanctifying himself and drawing closer to God. He devoted his chastity to the Lord, and refused to marry. He foretold the hour of his death and died happy to obey His Lord on the 4th of March, 1482 at the age of 24 years. He is buried in the church of Saint Stanislaus. Saint Casimir is the patron of Poland and an example of purity to youth.

Experienced Families

Saint Casimir was the third among the thirteen children of Casimir III, King of Poland and Elizabeth of Austria. From his childhood, he was remarkably pious and devout. His tutor and spiritual advisor was John Duglass, known as Longinus, Canon of Cracow; and holy man of great learning. Casimir and his brothers were extremely fond of their teacher and begged him never to leave them for any other position.

Casimir gained the most from John Dugloss's example and teaching. He consecrated his purity and youth to study and devotion to the Lord, and practiced many mortifications and prayerful acts. This, in part, was out of a distaste for the softness and excesses of court life. His love for Jesus Christ was shown most prominently in his concern for the poor. He gave them all he had and frequently he turned to his brother and father for additional aid and support.

The Palantines and other nobles of Hungary approached King Casimir in 1471, to allow them to place young Casimir on their throne. The saint was very unwilling to comply with his father's orders. But in obedience to his father and King, he marched at the head of an army of 20,000 men to the borders of Hungary. There, hearing that Matthias had formed an army to defend himself, and had settled his dispute with the nobles of Hungary, Casimir joyfully set out to return to Poland.

However, since abandoning this project was in direct contradiction to his father's orders, Casimir did not return to Cracow, but instead went to the castle of Dobzki, three miles away. He stayed there for three months in penance. Having realised the injustice of the attempts against the King of Hungary that his obedience to his father's command had placed him, he could never again be persuaded or convinced to resume it.

He lived for some twelve years after this, sanctifying himself in the same manner as before. He was chaste to the end of his life, refusing the advice of physicians who advised him to marry, suggesting that this would improve his health and possibly prolong his life. Suffering for years from tuberculosis, he foretold his last hour and died at Vilna, the capital of Luthuanian on the 4th of March, 1482.

He was buried in the church of Saint Stanislaus, and is the patron of Poland. Saint Casimir is also presented to youth as an example of purity and piety.

Hymn of Saint Casimir: I have been unable to find the lyrics to this hymn which is titled in English, 'Daily, Daily Sing to Mary'. If anyone knows them please send them our way and I'll post them with this article.

American Cathlic's Saint of the Day

March 4, 2005

St. Casimir

(1458-1483)

Casimir, born of kings and in line (third among 13 children) to be a king himself, was filled with exceptional values and learning by a great teacher, John Dlugosz. Even his critics could not say that his conscientious objection indicated softness. Even as a teenager, Casimir lived a highly disciplined, even severe life, sleeping on the ground, spending a great part of the night in prayer and dedicating himself to lifelong celibacy.

When nobles in Hungary became dissatisfied with their king, they prevailed upon Casimir’s father, the king of Poland, to send his son to take over the country. Casimir obeyed his father, as many young men over the centuries have obeyed their government. The army he was supposed to lead was clearly outnumbered by the “enemy”; some of his troops were deserting because they were not paid. At the advice of his officers, Casimir decided to return home. His father was irked at the failure of his plans, and confined his 15-year-old son for three months. The lad made up his mind never again to become involved in the wars of his day, and no amount of persuasion could change his mind. He returned to prayer and study, maintaining his decision to remain celibate even under pressure to marry the emperor’s daughter. He reigned briefly as king of Poland during his father’s absence. He died of lung trouble at 23 while visiting Lithuania, of which he was also Grand Duke. He was buried in Vilnius, Lithuania.

Comment:

For many years Poland and Lithuania faded into the gray prison on the other side of the Iron Curtain. Despite repression, the Poles and Lithuanians remained firm in the faith which has become synonymous with their name. Their youthful patron reminds us: Peace is not won by war; sometimes a comfortable peace is not even won by virtue, but Christ’s peace can penetrate every government repression of religion.

March 4
St. Casimir

St. Casimir was born in 1458, son of Casimir IV, king of Poland. Casimir was one of thirteen children. With the help of his virtuous mother and his dedicated teacher, Casimir received an excellent education.
When he was thirteen, Casimir had the chance to become king of neighboring Hungary, but he refused. He spent the rest of his life trying to live his Christian ideals. He went out of his way to be cheerful and friendly with everybody. Beneath the surface of his busy life, he made the effort to help himself to grow spiritually. He often fasted and slept on the floor of his room as penance. He prayed daily, sometimes even during the middle of the night. He loved to think and pray about the passion of Jesus. He recognized this as a good way to learn to love God. Casimir also loved the Blessed Virgin Mary with a special love. In her honor, he recited a beautiful hymn very often. The name of the hymn is "Daily, Daily, Sing to Mary." His hand-written copy of it was buried with him.
Casimir was never healthy, yet he was courageous and strong in character. He would always do what he knew was right. Sometimes he would even advise his father, the king, to rule the people fairly. He always did this with great respect and his father listened to him.
St. Casimir had a great love and respect for virginity. His parents found a very beautiful and virtuous young woman for him to marry. However, Casimir chose to give his heart to God alone. While in Lithuania on an assignment of service for that country, Casimir became ill with tuberculosis. He died at the age of twenty-six. He was proclaimed a saint by Pope Leo X in 1521.

Although Casimir didn't fulfill the expectations of those around him, he listened to God speaking in his life and lived his faith with courage.

Saint Casimir

Saint Casimir
Optional Memorial
March 4th

1904 Holy Card - unknown artist

He was the son of King Casimir IV and Queen Elizabeth, monarchs of Poland and Lithuania. In contrast to he other members of the royal court, he was a shining example of faith, piety, humilty, and chasity. He had a great love for the Eucharist and for the Virgin Mary. He is the patron saint of Poland and Lithuania.

Source: Daily Roman Missal, Edited by Rev. James Socías, Midwest Theological Forum, Chicago, Illinois ©2003

Collect:
All-powerful God,
to serve You is to reign:
by the prayers of Saint Casimir,
help us to serve You in holiness and justice.
Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,
who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. +Amen.

First Reading: Philippians 3:8-14
Indeed I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For His sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as refuse, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own, based on law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith; that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and may share His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death, that if possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect; but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me His own. Brethren, I do not consider that I have made it my own; but one thing I do, forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Gospel Reading: John 15:9-17
As the Father has loved Me, so have I loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

"This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. You are My friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what His master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide; so that whatever you ask the Father in My name, He may give it to you. This I command you, to love one another.

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CASIMIR of Poland

Saint Casimir Feast Day: March 4 Patron of: Poland, homeland of our Pope! Also Lithuania. Symbol: Lily (for purity)

Young Families

Practiced Families

Experienced Families

Saint Casimir
Feast Day: March 4
Patron of: Poland, homeland of our Pope! Also Lithuania.
Symbol: Lily (for purity)