St. Stanislaus was born near Cracow, in Poland. His parents who were rich had prayed for thirty years for a child. Finally, when Stanislaus was born, they were so grateful to have him that they offered him to God.

When Stanislaus grew up, he studied at Gnesen and in Paris, France. After his parents died, he gave away all the money and property they had left him to the poor. Then he became a priest.

Stanislaus was made the bishop of Cracow when he was about forty years old. (Then hundreds of years later and before he became pope, our dearly beloved John Paul II was also bishop of Cracow in Poland.)

Bishop Stanislaus was loved by all his people, especially because of the way he took care of the poor, the widows and the orphans, often serving them himself.

Poland’s king at that time was Boleslaus II. He was cruel and very sinful. The people were disgusted with his lifestyle and were afraid of him. Bishop Stanislaus first corrected him privately with respect and kindness. But he honestly and bravely told the king what he was doing wrong.

The king seemed sorry for a short while, but soon fell back into his bad ways again. He committed even more shameful sins. The bishop then had to put him out of the Church.

King Boleslaus flew into a terrible rage and to get revenge, he ordered two of his guards to kill St. Stanislaus. Three times they tried and failed. Then the king himself, in a fit of anger, rushed into the bishop’s chapel and murdered St. Stanislaus as he was celebrating Mass. It was April 11, 1079.

God worked many miracles after St. Stanislaus’ death. All the people called him a martyr.