Sunday, 4 March St Casimir

This prince of Poland from earliest life rejected earthly things, wearing a hair shirt even as a teenager. Often at night he would walk to the doors of the nearest church, where we would wait until he could be admitted for Matins. It is recorded that the young Casimir could not hear the name of Our Lord without sobbing. Serving at Mass inspired him with ecstasy, and he was a great friend to the poor, giving all he had and all he could borrow of his parents and his brother, who was King of Bohemia, for their assistance. Once at the age of fifteen he was asked by his father to lead an army on behalf of the people of Hungary; when his men deserted him, he rejoiced and returned home. He later convinced his father to pass an edict forbidding the restoration of churches held by schismatics. When he fell sick at the age of twenty-two, eminent physicians urged him to cease his austerities, which he refused to do, citing his love of chastity above all worldly comforts, including the desire to live.