Statue of Saint Wenceslaus in Wenceslaus Square,
Prague, Czech Republic. Sculpture: Josef Václav Myslbek.
This File: 2 October 2005.
User: Polyparadigm~commonswiki
(Wikimedia Commons)
By: Abbot Guéranger, O.S.B.
Volume 14.
Time After Pentecost.
Book V.
Wenceslaus recalls to us the entrance into The Church of a warlike Nation, the Czechs, the most indomitable of the Slavonic tribes, which had penetrated into the very midst of Germany.
It is well known, with what bitterness and active energy this Nation upholds its social claims, as though its struggle for existence in the early days of its history had made it proof against every trial.
The Faith of its apostles and Martyrs, the Roman Faith, will be the safeguard, as it is the bond of union, of the Countries subject to the Crown of Saint Wenceslaus.
Heresy, whether it be the native Hussite, or the “Reform” imported from Germany, can but yield the people to eternal ruin; may they never yield to the advances and seductions of schism !
Wenceslaus the Martyr, grandson of the Holy Martyr Ludmilla, and great-uncle of the Monk-Bishop and Martyr Adalbert, invites his faithful subjects to follow him in the only path where they may find honour and security both for this World and for the next.
Let us now read the legend of Holy Church. The conversion of Bohemia dates from the latter part of the 9th-Century A.D., when Saint Methodius Baptised Saint Ludmilla and her husband Borziwoi, the first Christian Duke of the line of Premislas.
The pagan reaction, during which Saint Wenceslaus gained the Palm of Martyrdom, was but short-lived.
Thou didst win thy Crown, O Holy Martyr, in the Church of Saints Cosmas and Damian, whither their Feast had attracted thee [Editor: According to Christian de Scala, son of the fratricide Boleslas the Cruel, and nephew of the Saint; he became a Monk, and wrote the lives of Saint Wenceslaus and Saint Ludmilla].
As thou didst honour them, we now in turn honour thee. We are also hailing the approach of that other Solemnity, which thou didst greet with thy last words at the fratricidal banquet: “In honour of the Archangel Michæl, let us drink this cup, and let us beseech him to lead our Souls into the peace of eternal happiness”.
What a sublime pledge, when thou wast already grasping the Chalice of Blood ! O, Wenceslaus, with that intrepid valour, which is ever humble and gentle, simple as God to Whom it tends, calm as the Angels on whom it relies.
Succour The Church in these unfortunate times; the whole Church honours thee, she has a right to expect thy assistance.
But especially cherish for her the Nation of which thou art the honour; as long as it remains faithful to thy Blessed memory, and looks to thy Patronage in its Earthly combats, its wandering from the truth will not be without return.
The following Text is from Wikipedia - the free encyclopædia.
Wenceslaus I (907 A.D. – 28 September 935 A.D.) was the Prince (kníže) of Bohemia from 921 A.D. until his death, probably in 935 A.D.
According to legend, he was assassinated by his younger brother, Boleslaus the Cruel.
His Martyrdom and the popularity of several biographies gave rise to a reputation for heroic virtue that resulted in his Sainthood. He was posthumously declared to be a King and Patron Saint of the Czech state.
His Martyrdom and the popularity of several biographies gave rise to a reputation for heroic virtue that resulted in his Sainthood. He was posthumously declared to be a King and Patron Saint of the Czech state.
He is the subject of the well-known “Good King Wenceslas”, a carol for Saint Stephen's Day.
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