Saint Casimir Jagiellon

Saint Casimir Jagiellon was the second son of Casimir IV, King of Poland, and the virtuous Elizabeth of Austria. He was tutored by Fr John Dlugosz, whose deep piety and political expertise influenced Casimir's upbringing. At nine, Casimir was already noted for his piety. He wore plain clothes with a hair shirt beneath them, frequently slept on the ground, and would spend much of the night in prayer and meditation on the suffering and death of Christ. He was known as a deeply compassionate young man who felt others' pains acutely. St Casimir had a particularly ardent devotion to the Eucharist and Our Lady, whom he addressed as his 'Good Mother.' 

Every day, he would kneel and recite the hymn "Day, daily, sing to Mary" written by St Bernard. He often went out at night to pray before the church doors and waited before them until they were opened to assist in the liturgical worship. During his father's prolonged absence in Lithuania, the saintly young Prince administered the State of Poland from 1481 to 1483. Casimir is especially remembered for his purity and commitment to the welfare of the poor. He is also honored as an advocate for peace. After experiencing symptoms of tuberculosis, Casimir foresaw his death and prepared for it by deepening his devotion to God. He died on his way to Lithuania on March 4, 1484, and was buried with a copy of a Marian hymn he frequently recited. Pope Adrian VI canonized him in 1521. St. Casimir, whose body is still incorrupt, is the Patron of Poland and Lithuania and is invoked for protection from the Plague. In 1907, Venerable Maria Kaupas, a Lithuanian immigrant, founded a new community of religious sisters dedicated to this saint: the Sisters of St Casimir. 

St Casimir, obtain for us the grace to constantly serve our Lord in holiness and justice.

Prepared and updated by:

Jonathan Fabian Ginunggil,

Penampang, Sabah Malaysia.