Saint Casimir
- Feast Day
- March 4
- Life
- 1458–1484
- Canonized
- 1521
- Born
- Krakow, Kingdom of Poland
Casimir Jagiellon was born on October 3, 1458, in Krakow, the third son of King Casimir IV of Poland and Elisabeth of Habsburg. Educated by the historian Jan Dlugosz, he was prepared for kingship from youth.
In 1471 he was sent at age thirteen at the head of an army to claim the Hungarian crown for his family, but the campaign failed and he returned to Krakow, refusing thereafter to take part in unjust military ventures. He devoted himself to prayer, the recitation of the Psalter, and works of charity toward the poor.
Casimir made a personal vow of chastity and was known for his particular devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, daily reciting the hymn Omni die dic Mariae. He served as deputy regent of Poland during his father's absences in Lithuania and was a counselor of state.
He died of tuberculosis on March 4, 1484, at Grodno at the age of twenty-five and was buried in the cathedral of Vilnius. Pope Leo X canonized him in 1521, and Pope Clement VIII confirmed the canonization in 1602. He is venerated as a principal patron of Poland and Lithuania.
Saint Casimir witnesses to the possibility of holiness in royal life. The Roman Martyrology describes him as outstanding for piety toward God and toward the poor. His refusal to participate in an unjust war and his lifelong fidelity to chastity have made him a model for young people, particularly within the historic kingdoms of Poland and Lithuania, where his cult has shaped Catholic national identity for over five centuries.
Patronages
Poland · Lithuania · young people
Catholic Churches Named After Saint Casimir
20 parishes on Catholic Church Times share Saint Casimir's name. Find their Mass times, confession schedules, and adoration hours:
- St. Casimir — Sudbury, ON
- Our Lady of Divine Providence-St. Casimir — Milwaukee, WI
- St. Casimir — Adena, OH
- Saint Casimir Parish — Leavenworth, KS
- Saint Casimirs Catholic Church — Sioux City, IA
- Saint Casimir Roman Catholic Church — Paterson, NJ
- St. Peter & St. Casimir — Westfield, MA
- St. Casimir — Hammond, IN
- St. Casimir — Krakow, WI
- St. Casimir Catholic Church — Wells, MN
- Saint Casimirs Roman Catholic Church — New Haven, CT
- Saint Casimir Catholic Church — Posen, MI
- Église Saint-Casimir
- Parroquia de San Valentín y San Casimiro
- Parroquia San Valentín y San Casimiro
- Parroquia San Casimiro
- St. Casimir Roman Catholic Church — South Bend, IN
- St. Francis of Assisi Parish - St. Casimir — Saginaw, MI
- St. Casimir — Saint Paul, MN
- St Casimir — Lansing, MI
Sources