28th September, St Wenceslaus, Duke and Martyr

 St. Wenceslaus, Duke and Martyr

Wenceslaus, Duke of Bohemia, always practised the greatest Christian virtues. Full of charity, he helped with his alms orphans, widows and poor people, he delivered captives, and visited prisoners. He kept all through his, life the treasure of his virginity intact. He had a very great veneration for priests and with his own hands, he sowed the wheat and pressed the grapes which were to be used for the Holy Sacrifice.



However, instigated by his mother, the impious Boleslas, his brother, realizing what Jesus had foretold "that a man will have for his enemies those of his own family" (Gospel), determined to get rid of the Duke. He invited him to a banquet, and afterwards followed him to a church, where he cruelly stabbed him as he was praying for his enemies.



St. Wenceslaus died in A.D. 938. Hungary, Poland and Bohemia chose him for their patron.

In virtute tua, Domine laetabitur justus: et super salutare tuum exsultabit vehementer: desiderium animae ejus tribuisti ei. * Quoniam praevenisti eum in bendictionibus dulcedinis: posuisti in capite ejus coronam de lapide pretioso.
In Thy strength, O Lord, the just man shall joy and in Thy salvation he shall rejoice exceedingly: Thou hast given him his heart's desire. For Thou hast prevented him with blessing of sweetness: Thou hast set on his head a crown of precious stones.
(Psalm 20:2-3,4 from the Introit of Mass)

Deus, qui beatum Wenceslaum per martyrii palmam a terreno principatu ad caelestem gloriam transtulisti: ejus precibus nos ab omni adversitate custodi, et ejusdem tribue gaudere consortio.

O God who in bestowing upon blessed Wenceslaus the palm of martyrdom, didst translate him from an earthly principality to the glory of heaven: shield us through his prayers from all adversity, and grant us to rejoice in his company.

(Collect)

From the Catholic Encyclopaedia: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15587b.htm