August 16 Saint of the Day Profile
Saint of the Day Profile Saint Stephen of Hungary
Profile
Born to a pagan family, but was baptized at age 10 with his father.
King of the Magyars in Hungary. Married to Blessed Gisella of Ungarn,
sister of emperor Saint Henry II. Evangelized both their peoples. Saint
Astricus served as his advisor. Stephen united the Magyars into a single
nation, suppressing revolts led by pagan nobles. Crowned king on
Christmas Day 1001 by Emperor Otto III by authority of Pope Sylvester
II. Organized dioceses, and founded monasteries. Father of Saint Emeric;
brought Saint Gerard Sagredo to tutor his son.
Born
969 at Esztergom, Hungary
Died
15 August 1038 at Szekesfehervar, Hungary
Canonized
1083 by Pope Saint Gregory VII
Patronage
• against the death of children• bricklayers
• Hungary
• kings
• masons
• stone masons
• stonecutters
Representation
• king with sword and banner of the cross• king offering his crown to the Blessed Virgin Mary
• king on horseback with banner of the cross
• king holding a church in his hands
• king holding a standard or banner with the Blessed Virgin Mary
Readings
My beloved son, delight of my heart, hope of your posterity, I pray, I
command, that at every time and in everything, strengthened by your
devotion to me, you may show favor not only to relations and kin, or to
the most eminent, be they leaders or rich men or neighbors or
fellow-countrymen, but also to foreigners and to all who come to you. By
fulfilling your duty in this way you will reach the highest state of
happiness. Be merciful to all who are suffering violence, keeping always
in your heart the example of the Lord who said, "I desire mercy and not
sacrifice." Be patient with everyone, not only with the powerful, but
also with the weak. Finally be strong lest prosperity lift you up to
much or adversity cast you down. Be humble in this life, that God may
raise you up in the next. Be truly moderate and do not punish or condemn
anyone immoderately. Be gentle so that you may never oppose justice. Be
honorable so that you may never voluntarily bring disgrace upon anyone.
Be chaste so that ;you may avoid all the foulness of lust like the
pangs of death. All these virtues I have noted above make up the royal
crown, and without them no one is fit to rule here on earth or attain to
the heavenly kingdom. - from Saint Stephen's advice to his son.Blog post courtesy:
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